Thread: 4 hours on Lake Anna Sunday. . .

Sunday 29 Nov 2009.

I had to get my boat in the water to "road test" my replacement prop, so decided to hit Lake Anna and hunt for some crappie.

Boat ran fine, but the replacement prop (actually the Original stock one) is a little different than the other. The damaged one was a 13.25 x 17P. The stock one is a 11.75 x 21P. The differences that I notice:
1) Holeshot seems a little slower
2) Idle speed seems a little faster
3) Approx. 200 RPM increase @ WOT
4) Approx. 2 MPH increase @ WOT

I'm trying to decide whether to install a trolling plate, or change props to lower my idle speed for striper trolling. What if I install a 13.50 or 13.75 x 15P? Will that slow my idle speed? What will it do to my top end? Anyone on here know what I'm talking about ('cause I really DON'T!)

As for the Crappie Huntin'; well I found some up above Hunters' Landing. They seemed to be oriented to 10-12 ft, in 18 ft of water. They seemed to want meat rather than plastic, and most of the bites were dinks, but I did manage to catch one nice one (see pic below) . . . sorry that the perspective isn't all that great, but it just wouldn't hold still!! It was actually approx. 14", and my largest Crappie to-date!:D:D

I also hooked my very first striper (approx. 2-2.5 lbs)!! I actually managed to land it with my B'nM Jig pole without damage (used my net). I got so exciteds that I forgot to take a picture of it!

Anyway, I have a question for Frank, aka Slabenomics . . .

What's the late fall / winter pattern for LKA slabs? Was I just lucky to find these fish, or is there a reasonably successful method of seeking (and finding) the big boys? What works and is worth trying?

Thanx in advance Frank . . .


Tight lines y'all,
Cal

The rule of thumb is each inch of pitch will change your WOT by about 200 rpm.

How about throwing out a drift sock or 5 gallon bucket to slow your troll.

nice job cal, that is a pretty fish glad the boat is running good.

i've had boats all my adult life and i always call a prop shop to get the right prop for my outboard which they will ask you all the right ? to get the right prop for all your needs. tite lines JIM.B

Cal, you want a prop that will allow your motor to run at the recommended RPMs at WOT. Anything above that or below is not good for your motor. What motor do you have and what are you running at WOT with the 21" pitch prop?

your first dimension is diameter leave that one be ,,,your pitch is your out the hole and top end they should be the only two you need to adjust I go down on my pitch for tubing and up for longer travels ....If she too fast for trolling trim motor up she will be a bit squirrely(have to steer more) but will slow ya up ....If ya gonna be trolling might as well get on them ever elusive walleye they in the lake but hard to get info on em ....guess they are top secret !!!!! so some think anyhoo.......:D:D:D

I think I'll ask Mrs. Clause for another 13.25 x 17P 'cause the boat just seemed better overall with that one.

However, everyone either missed or ignored my question regarding a trolling plate. I want to be able to get down to 1 mph or less with the big motor. To answer IBNFISHN's questions:
2000 Merc 75hp ELPTO on a 17.5' wide beam alum. deep-vee
Approx. 5,300 RPM WOT w/12.75 x 21P
Approx. 4,900 RPM WOT w/13.25 x 17P
Holeshot with the 17P seems better, but my speedo is whacked out, so my MPH is ???

I've read a lot of Review Comments on various Trolling Plates, and I'm seriously thinking about installing the Automatic model from Cabella's.

Anybody have any experience / info on trolling plates???


Cal

Originally Posted by Cal

I think I'll ask Mrs. Clause for another 13.25 x 17P 'cause the boat just seemed better overall with that one.

However, everyone either missed or ignored my question regarding a trolling plate. I want to be able to get down to 1 mph or less with the big motor. To answer IBNFISHN's questions:
2000 Merc 75hp ELPTO on a 17.5' wide beam alum. deep-vee
Approx. 5,300 RPM WOT w/12.75 x 21P
Approx. 4,900 RPM WOT w/13.25 x 17P
Holeshot with the 17P seems better, but my speedo is whacked out, so my MPH is ???

I've read a lot of Review Comments on various Trolling Plates, and I'm seriously thinking about installing the Automatic model from Cabella's.

Anybody have any experience / info on trolling plates???


Cal

Your rpms for the two props don't make sense to me. Diameter has little effect on rpms. The lower pitch prop should have many more rpms. Check to see if the 17" pitch prop is cupped and the 21" pitch is uncupped.


I tried to offer you a lower cost alternative that will yield the same result as a trolling plate.

I DO have a drift sock, but have never used one. I grasp the concept, but need to figure out how to keep from getting terminal tackle snagged up in/on it! I may give it a try.

As for the figures I've been quoting, as I said my mph's are totally whacked out, but my tach seems to be OK. I'll double check on the next outing.


Thanx again,
Cal

I have no experience with trolling plates but getting down to 1 mph may be tough when using the big motor. My little 50 moves my 17' boat at 2-3 mph at idle.

You need to chose the right prop for engine RPM at WOT. Once you get that right, you can work on methods to slow down at idle speed to troll.

This may help you learn about props and narrow your selection.

Boat Propellers by Turning Point Propellers, Inc.