Beginner Trolling Advice

[sadler9138]

First post here, Im looking for advice on getting into trolling crank baits. Last summer I bought a Ranger 681vs with a 115 Merc. As I look into trolling crank baits I have normal performance issues with having a kicker on the back, what are good options for getting myself down into that 2 mph range? Buying a new front mount trolling motor this year just looking to see if that will be enough.

[That Minnesota guy]

A good trolling motor will work on that boat just fine. I had a 681 vs with a 135 OptiMax. Great boat, I should have kept it. I also did a lot of trolling with the main motor. Fill the livewell, tilt the motor and go.

Welcome to Walleye Central.

[KPKyllo]

What normal performance issues with having a kicker on the back are you referring to sadler9138?

[That Minnesota guy]

A vs is hard to hang a motor on.

[sadler9138]

Thank you, I will have to try with livewells full when ice get gone.

[sadler9138]

Originally Posted by KPKyllo

What normal performance issues with having a kicker on the back are you referring to sadler9138?

I have trouble getting out of the hole. Then once I get out, if I get out, I lose 10-12 mph on the top end. can't run it half throttle to save gas if I need to make long runs. Drags me down so much.

[That Minnesota guy]

Originally Posted by sadler9138

I have trouble getting out of the hole. Then once I get out, if I get out, I lose 10-12 mph on the top end. can't run it half throttle to save gas if I need to make long runs. Drags me down so much.

You certainly don't want to add the weight of a kicker if you are having trouble getting on plane. I think you are borderline underpowered with the 115 but I know a lot of them were sold with that motor. Have you tried a different prop? I ran a High 5 with mine, but again I had the 135 motor.

[sadler9138]

Originally Posted by That Minnesota guy

You certainly don't want to add the weight of a kicker if you are having trouble getting on plane. I think you are borderline underpowered with the 115 but I know a lot of them were sold with that motor. Have you tried a different prop? I ran a High 5 with mine, but again I had the 135 motor.

I tried a Laser II 20 p, currently running a 18 p vengeance prop. I have not been able to find a 4 blade yet that I want to try, if you have any advice on from selection I would be receptive. I have tried to use Mercury's prop selector app and they seem to think that more prop is the answer but a Laser II 20p does not get the RPM range to match.

[That Minnesota guy]

Where are you located?

[sadler9138]

Originally Posted by That Minnesota guy

Where are you located?

Western IA. Fishing mainly Okoboji, and South Dakota