OutboardTrolling Plates

How effective are these plates? On on average how much to they slow a boat down?

This has been a discussion a few times here. Im sure others will chime in but what i have gathered the plates not only slow the boat some, but they really hinder steering. it makes sence if you think about it. Most reccomend using drift sock(s). if going fwd you can put one or two off the back (if they dont tangel the lines, most however prefer to use one on each side of the bow for forward. if only one is used on bow going fwd the boat will really pull to that side.
when back trolling put a sock off the tip.
i reall like the bags/socks.
Cabelas has them on sale both in store or online.

If you only want to run one sock off the bow going forward, clip it to the bow eye and let it run under the boat. Just make sure it doesn’t go back far enough to get in the prop.

I have only fished from one boat with a trolling plate and I was not at all impressed. The guy that owned the boat hated it as well.

I went with the nautical trim tabs that flip down into a trolling position to slow you down and they work great .I got them at cabelas store for $159 AND HAD MY LUND DEALER INSTALL THEM. 1.3 mph is when the tabs are turned down and 2.3 mph with out them . There is 1 trim tab in both corners of the boat

From Captain Jeff