Trolling Plate

[Tom]

Anyone have experience using a trolling plate? Any models that work better than others? I have a 125 Mariner. I will be getting a new boat next year and want to wait on the kicker until then.
Thanks, Tom

[mbrandt]

I have one on my 90 hp Merc. The motor was new last year and I held off installing the plate and trolled with out it all last season. Tried buckets, drift bags and just idle. While ok, I sure missed. I was planning on getting a kicker, but the funds for that dried up so I reinstalled the plate over the winter. Man what a difference. I can stay below 2 mph at 1000 rpms. Sure makes the motor troll better when you can keep the rpms up. I also lost no top end speed as has been reported here in the past. Also gets up on plane quicker. At idle, I am less than 1 mph. I have the old Fish On plate. I don't beleive they are made anymore. The Happy Troller is basically the same thing. Stay away from the plastic ones.

Mark

[punch1]

I used to have a Mariner 115HP V6 and used a trolling plate on it. I was very happy with the results. It got me down to where I needed to be for those lethargic Spring walleye. It can be a little inconveniant when trolling in the wind, but not very difficult as some will say. Not at least in my situation. I ended up with a different boat with a kicker, but wouldn't hesitate on a trolling plate if I had to. Good luck!


Patrick Wunsch

"You should have been here last week!"

[Gilligan]

Mark hit it right. Fish On plate is no more, but the Happy Troller is pretty much the same plate. I run that one and can get down to .8 mph compared to 2.3 before the plate. And second to staying away from the plastic ones, I had 2 of the Cabelas models break in a total of 4 outings.

[Hermeus]

I run a Troll-O-Matic plate and love it. Thought it would slow my top end down, but find it actualy help get me on plane. I only have a 1964 sport 4 Evinrude on my 18 foot cabin boat. Need all the help I can get. Best part is it only coast $60.00!!

My boat is old, but I still catch FISH!!