trolling plates

[jp]

I have not heard much on trolling plates,are people using these much or is most everybody going to a sock to troll. I have a ranger 617 with a 150 merc EFI. I will be doing a little trolling with it I would like some input on a trolling plate. How slow will a plate get this boat down to, what will it do to the boats performance, wich plate would you recomend if any. I thought about using my wave tamer sock but I heard that the sock will make the boat pull bad to one side.

[Beetle]

jp, go to page 7 of the archives. There is a post on what you asking. Might be of some help. Herb

[Sluggo / NY]

JP..I know that most of the people here will tell you to run two bags, and that works great. But I've been running a trolling plate for about 15 years with no problems. I run a manual release "Happy Troller" and have only bent it a couple of times by forgetting to raise it before nailing it. You know right away if you forget! I'd suggest cutting about a 4" hole behind the hub for your exhaust. It really helps with the low speed steering and has little affect on performance. With your rig, I'd guess that a plate would get you to 2 mph or less. Good Fishing, Sluggo

[Beetle]

Sluggo,
other people have told me about the happy troller. Where did you get yours and what speed does it get you down to?
Herb

[Sluggo / NY]

I think my last one came from Bass Pro. As for speed..I run a big Honda four-stroke, which does pretty well by itself at 600 rpm. With the plate down, I can run at about .5 mph. The only problem is that I have to go back and look for bubbles to make sure the motor's running! Good Fishing, Sluggo

[SEAHAG]

Theres already a trolling plate out there with a hole in it. It,s called Hussels Friend and it,s spring mounted so no more broken shear pins or bent plates. I don,t know where to get one though, my boat came with it. Hope this helps. SEAHAG