Trolling Speed

[REELMAN]

What do you all use to mark trolling speed: GPS or paddle wheel?
I am going to buy a new graph and was wondering if I could get by just using my GPS for speed.

[walleye1230]

I would use your GPS. The paddle wheel really only works if you are moving 5 mph or faster, other than that they are somewhat useless. If you are just trolling, very slowly, it probably won't register at all, I know my Eagle won't. Hope this helps.

[Goldpig]

I rely on the GPS as a guide, but really rely on "feel" more than anything. The GPS seems to be consistent when trolling at different idle speeds for me. So, I make note of the throttle and compare it to the GPS when I catch a fish or two. I think that I can replicate speed this way, but whether the speed that is being displayed is accurate, I have no idea. I am sure you will get better answers than this one, but hey, I tried:)

[perchjerker]

I agree with walleye1230 for the most part. Sometimes my GPS speed "drifts" at trolling speeds. My best indicator is by watching the lure action, the old standby...

[cnags]

I use my TR-1 trolling tach,GPS,and the paddle wheel,also if running spinners I will put a spinner just under the water to watch how it is running.

[RANGER]

I, also, go by the feel but I do rely on the paddle wheel under 4 mph. I know this is contrary to most but I found confidence in mine and rely on it heavily. IMHO the GPS is very accurate above 4 mph but isn't below that speed. The paddle wheel reads the same as the mechanical types we have compared it to. I'm happy with it.

[Goldpig]

Ok, now I am cheating and the following is from the 5th Edition of Precision Trolling:

"Surface spin wheels are only accuracte when the surface water is stationary. When the wind blows, surface water will move in the same direction as the waves. Because both the boat and the surface water are moving, the speed reading won't necessarily be accuracte over ground measurement. The spin wheel will underestimate your speed when trolling with the wind, and overestimate it when trolling into the wind. In addition, a surging boat bobbling up and down in heavy seas won't be moving at a consisten speed to begin with (although it will be more consistent when trolling with the wind).

One would think that modern day GPS units would provide extremely accurate speed data. However, the "selective availability" of GPS, a govermental security manipulation of the GPS signals, will cause day-to-day fluctuations in signal accuracy. Couple with erratic movement of the boat in rough seas, again there are inaccuracies in the SOG readings from GPS units.

When all is said and done, the best estimate of trolling speed comes from a combination of instrument measurements and good old-fashioned instinct! Don't get to hung up on exact trolling speeds. It is better to try to stay within a range. On most days, trolling speed will be better described in qualitative terms; slow, moderate, or fast!"

[REELMAN]

Thanks to all the replied to my question. I pretty much go just by feel and rod bend when I am trolling, so I think I will forgo my pruchase of the speed adition for now. Now if it was just spring and I was up on the lake trolling, trolling, trolling.............

[Mark Alberta]

Check this out luhr-jenson.com/store/images/Accessories/Troll Speed./9000 ipg. I use this and it works great. I'm not sure I did this right, Not very good on the computer. Mark