Have you tried trimming up your outboard to troll slower?

 

You would have better luck dragging a trolling bag on each side of your boat. It will cost more then the buckets, but it will work much, much better.

 

Speed control is very important. I don't think the buckets will get you down to where you want to be. I would use the trolling motor and ALWAYS TROLL WITH the wind, never against. If you use the wind and waves as an ally, your boat will never swing out of control so fast that you tangle.

 

Thanks guys!

 

I know a couple of guys where the buckets worked off both corners. If I'm not mistaken they needed to drill multiple holes in the bottom to keep them under control

 

Thanks a lot

 

I seen a boat using buckets on a central Ohio lake a couple of weeks ago. They had 5 buckets out on a very windy day and it seemed to do the job well. They were using them to control the speed of their drift though. I'm not sure if that would help slow you down using your motor though? But I guess if you try you're only out the cost of the buckets, and they always come in handy anyway if it doesn't work out! Lol!

 

buckets work ok on my boat , i tie mine on my center cleats so the buckets are on the sides out of my way, just put big holes in them.

 

Thanks bustedrod how slow did the buckets get you?

 

From 3-1/2 down to trolling speeds of 1.8 and slower as the water cools, will take trolling bags (not drift socks). Look into Amish Outfitter beefy bags. Whatever bag you get the bag should be rigged so the rear of the bag is near the transom, and it's important to tie the back of the bag to the rear cleat. Thus prevents the bag from drifting out away from the boat and pulling the bow off line. Good luck.

PS be certain that nothing can get to the prop. No matter what you need to do. Extreme measures are needed sometimes.

 

Thanks jim

 

View attachment 224423 I want to troll using my main motor this time of year but cannot slow it down less than 3.5mph with the waves and 2.7 into the waves! I am trying to dial it down to 1.3 . 2.0 mph! I have a minnkota foot control bow motor but it's very hard to do that by myself and keep lines from tangling!

I only use my minnkota when creeping up on shallow water panfish, bass etc! I'm planning on getting a autopilot soon but for now I stopped at Home Depot and picked up some Buckets and Carabiners to clip on the transom eye bolts!

Has anyone tried this , will it work, what are my options to slow the boat down, because I have all my trolling gear just can't slow down enough to do any damage on the night bite! Thanks Guys!

Ps I will drill a few holes in the bucket to reduce the resistance while trolling! Weather is getting ugly or I'd just head out and test it today!

I used too use a bucket on each side but could only cut around.8mph off of my speed.That was in a 19ft aluminum boat.Use your electric and steer with your outboard.Troll with the waves.Or get two medium sized trolling bags from the amish.The bags are very durable.

 

you can use your bow electric motor...just turn it around in reverse position and adjust the speed...I do it all the time instead of having to adjust my kicker motor speed...

 

Very nice thank you

 

I use a MinKota drift sock on one side and Amish Buggy bag other side (already had the drift sock, so only bought one Amish trolling bag at Erie Outfitters to pair up). Run the 9.9 on stern to push, set the MinKota to about 5 or 6 setting forward with Auto Pilot to steer. Works really well unless cross winds over 15 knots. I do not have the gps in trolling motor. Plan to add a keel to help it steer, have a piece of 1/4" polycarbonate but haven't found time to cut shape and fasten it to motor. You should try the Buggy Bags to slow your boat down and improve steering control. This really helps. I had troubles before using trolling bags, every time went to back of boat to clear lines or untangle something or net fish, the boat got unbalanced and would turn a circle !!!

 

Trolling plate on the motor also works well. Just have to remember to put them up. I think I even have one I would let go cheap if you're interested. its a happy troller. I never used it like brand new just not sure where I put it.

 

You will get tired of hearing buckets banging against the side of your boat as well as the damage they can do. Take Stedke's advice, bite the $ bullet and do it the right way. Another option is to drop three to four grand and have a kicker installed.

 

As Hookedup mentioned, a trolling plate would work well. Just outta curiosity though, what size is your main engine? Reason for asking, there's always the possibility of doing a prop change . . . different pitch, etc.

 

On my 18' Alumacraft Trophy w/ 115hp outboard. I use a trolling plate in calm waters of smaller inland lakes but I found that it does not work well in Erie. I think the Amish Outfitter bags work much better - I think this is because they do a better job of dampening the forward surges from Erie waves and the trolling plate can not do this as it is only slowing your motor's push rather than overall slowing the boat. Also if you use one of the plastic/nylon style plates it will eventually crack due to Erie stresses on the plate (again the surges). Mine still works but it does have stress cracks - and I have never abused it as in never sheared off one of the shear pins.

 

On my 18' Alumacraft Trophy w/ 115hp outboard. I use a trolling plate in calm waters of smaller inland lakes but I found that it does not work well in Erie. I think the Amish Outfitter bags work much better - I think this is because they do a better job of dampening the forward surges from Erie waves and the trolling plate can not do this as it is only slowing your motor's push rather than overall slowing the boat. Also if you use one of the plastic/nylon style plates it will eventually crack due to Erie stresses on the plate (again the surges). Mine still works but it does have stress cracks - and I have never abused it as in never sheared off one of the shear pins.

 

Dontknowmuch......and Idontknow316, hmm lol

 

View attachment 224423 I want to troll using my main motor this time of year but cannot slow it down less than 3.5mph with the waves and 2.7 into the waves! I am trying to dial it down to 1.3 . 2.0 mph! I have a minnkota foot control bow motor but it's very hard to do that by myself and keep lines from tangling!

I only use my minnkota when creeping up on shallow water panfish, bass etc! I'm planning on getting a autopilot soon but for now I stopped at Home Depot and picked up some Buckets and Carabiners to clip on the transom eye bolts!

Has anyone tried this , will it work, what are my options to slow the boat down, because I have all my trolling gear just can't slow down enough to do any damage on the night bite! Thanks Guys!

Ps I will drill a few holes in the bucket to reduce the resistance while trolling! Weather is getting ugly or I'd just head out and test it today!

I used to do it drift fishing before drift socks. Drill holes to tie ropes directly to bucket junk the handles and also in the back end install dump line

 

For my two cents, I would go with a drift sock. Not that expensive and much easier to control. If you give it 6 to 8 feet of line it will dive below your catch area and not tangle with your set-ups.

 

I have one if you want to try before you buy! Let me know your open seat day and I'll bring it along.

 

Buckets will work. Need to remove the handles. They will break off. Drill holes and use 3/8 line. Get some fender washers and tie knots in line to keep the line from pulling thru. Drill about a 2" hole in bottom of bucket. Tie off on mid ship cleats. Try turning down your idle speed on engine. In tandem with buckets should get your speed down into the sweet area. I may have some pictures of the bucket set up. Will try to find and post. I used this set up for a few years some time ago.