troll plates

[JET]

I have an 18'fiberglass boat with a 120hp Johnson that I fish in Lake Erie. I cann't shell out the cash for a kicker motor this year, and the slowest I can go with the 120 is 4mph according to the gps. I never see anyone on the lake backtrolling, but I may give it a try. Does anyone have any comments on backtrolling or on the trolling plates I see in the cabellas books. It just seems to be a plate that goes behind the prop to deflect some of the water off of the wheel.

[jeff reed]

I'd pull a couple of drift socks with one on each side close to the boat. Why drill holes in your cavitation plate this works just as good.

[eyewinder]

I use Cabela's snap-down, snap-up trolling plate (can't remember what they call it -- cost is around $100). If I need speeds between outboard (115 h.p.) and bow-mounted electric, it works fine. Other users have said that precision steering is not possible with trolling plates -- this may be a drawback.

[RANGER]

I agree with Jeff - go with a couple of drift socks out the back. The troll plates do hamper steering when down, which can end up drifting you off your desired track if the wind catches the boat.

[RAINMAN]

USE DRIFT BAGS THEY WORK GOOD DONT RUN THEM OUT THE BACK OF THE BOAT RUN THEM HALF WAY DOWN THE SIDE OF YOUR BOAT TIE THEM ON THE FRONT CLEATS ON EACH SIDE THEN USE A TAG LINE ON THE BACK OF THE BAGS TIE THE TAG LINE TO THE BACK CLEATS TO KEEP THEM CLOSE TO THE BOAT

[JET]

THANKS GUYS