I have been doing alot of trolling and I cant slow down enough with my main motor. I have a 2009 Alumacraft Classic 165 CS. My trolling motor works, but it runs the battery down quickly. I was thinking about a T8 yamaha for a kicker. If anyone knows of anyone who has put a kicker on the Classic let me know. Thanks
I know there are some guys who run two drift socks on each side to slow down the troll. You can see a video regarding that on this site. http://www.idofishing.com/videos/viewvid.php/Number/754912/rainy-lake-spinner-walleyes
If you upgrade to a 24volt bow mount (70pd MK Powerdrive) and two good group 31 deep cycle batteries. You will have no problems with run time and it will be way less $$ than a 2-3k kicker. The control is not quite as good as a kicker but it works pretty well. A kicker is nice if you have the $$ to spend.
Your not going to be happy with that big of kicker, my buds are running them on their glass rangers and skeeters which are much heavier than the 165. Ive got a 165 mag tiller with 60hp yammi. i am only running a 12v bow and a size 27 deep cycle and have fished in the river current all day not needing to use my back up battery. you could also go to a 24v system.
also i use a drift sock and the 60 when the water is a bit rougher and back troll. can get down to.40 easily but am going to be getting another sock for a bit slower going forward pulling cranks. just my .02 think you can save a lot of money by altering trolling mtr, maybe a better battery(s) and some socks.
Very simple solution, one which I have used a few times before.
1. If you have a drift sock or two, try them.
2. If you don’t want to buy drift socks, get 4 5-gallon plastic buckets. You probably have them at home or can get them free somewhere. Tie a short rope to each and drill a 2 inch hole in the bottom. Viola, you have 4 hard plastic “drift socks” – very stackable, very effective.
Drift socks are nice since the fold — but buckets are nice cause they are free, won’t get tangled in your prop, and are just as effective. Try starting with 2 buckets. If its still to fast, throw out the other 2 and see what happens.
Like I said, its worked very well for me when I’ve needed it to.
(I have used buckets both with and without the hole drilled in the bottom… Both seemed to work just fine.)
Mike
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