Trolling with big motor

[deltabull]

Working on an idea... Just wondering how many here are trolling with the big motor and steering with an ipilot?

["G"]

I trolled with a Yamaha 115 four stroke for 6 years...Had a Troll a Matic trolling plate on the outboard ....worked pretty good. I have a 24 volt 80 lb thrust Terrova now that I troll with. I like it lots better can set it on a gps course.

[wicklundrh]

I have trolled with big outboards, I/O motors, kickers, and trolling motors.

Currently, when walleye fishing, I run the trolling motor until the speed pushes the motor over a "5" setting. After that, I fire up the kicker motor and use the bow mount to steer. Works well.

Some bigger motors have the ability to add features that allow you to troll at slower than normal idle speeds. It will allow you to alter your RPM by 50 at a time in order to bump your speed up or down. Trolling plates are common here in Michigan as is trolling bags or drift socks deployed to slow you down while trolling. Designated kicker motors with lower gear ratios that turn large props at slower speeds is the best option here however it isn't always in everyone's budget.

[blueball]

Been using big motor and steering with trolling motor since 2010.Mercury 2stroke carb 90,no problems so far.

Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk

[Cray]

Like Blueball, been doing it a long time. Just find a way to lock steering wheel down ( bunge cord ) then set trolling motor at a speed where it will actually steer the boat with big motor pushing. Usually 3.5 to 4 works on mine. It will steer the boat but put very little strain on batteries cause big motor is doing all the work.

[Fishin Dave]

I've been trolling with the big motor into, or cross wind and steering with the I pilot for a couple of years now, and when I go with the wind I use only the i pilot. Also have my 55lb. thrust Minn Kota wired with 2 AGM group 31s in series. So I am on my I pilot most of the time.
Before I had an I pilot, I used to use the 55 lb. Power Drive to pull the boat straight ahead and would use the big motor (not running)to steer with. Worked really well, but no where as convenient as the I pilot.

[Fishin Dave]

Also I would like to have a kicker motor on my Alumacraft 165 competitor, but I dont think there is enough room back there. I have an 87 inch wide beam.

[tenncrappie]

Have a happy troller I use with big motor and steer with the I-pilot.

[Potatoe]

Talked with a guy that will do this without the prop turning on the TM and just use the TM for steering. Run big motor for push

I have not tried it yet

[deltabull]

My idea was a larger " rudder" device that would fit over the skeg of the trolling motor and clamp on with hose clamps. I could use the ipilot to steer without the trolling motor actually running, just for steering.