Quinte Fishing

Looking for input. I have a 16' Lowe with a merc 90. Can't get the boat to slow down below 2.5mph. Should I get a small kicker motor (2-5. Hp) or would a trolling plate be sufficient?

Honestly what you are going to want to do is either get a small kicker or an easier and cheaper option is a matching smaller set of drift bags for the front cleats. The kicker motor is nice for a back up motor and to keep your main motor from running on a low idle for long periods of time. The bags work amazing and I would suggest to just open the boat up for a minute when done trolling. You can get a matching set of bags on eBay cheap and they work great. Get the smallest size for your rig. If you need additional info let me know

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U.S.C.G. Licensed Captain
Pure Fishing Ambassador

I have a 20ft legend with a 115hp four stroke merc. When I first got it the slowest I could get down was 3 mph. I put an easy troller trolling plate on it and it works great. Can get boat down to 1-1.5 mph depending on wind. If you get one there are 2 settings full up or full down I cut 2 more slots between full up and down that the locking pin sits in. This gives me an in between setting. I recommend the trolling plate.

I second that opinion I also have an easy troller plate installed on my 50 mercy works like a charm. Steering can get I bit challenging with wind but I manage. It also depends on where you fish regarding how remote your location is. It’s always nice to have a backup kicker just in case.

I hope that helps

Can the easy troller plates b bought locally ?

For a low budget it's hard to beat two 5 gallon pails, drill 4 or 5 1" holes in bottom, hang off the front of boat, slowed down ,my 18' boat with 90hp, to 1.5mph,
With a bigger budget nothing comes close to bow mount trolling motor, better control in the wind,pulling the boat is easier than pushing, super quiet, no fumes, I switched this spring remarkable difference in fishing success.
With no budgetary restrictions! Treat your self to a Min Kota Ultera , the auto deploy saves your back and the I-Pilot gives you GPS steering and cruise control, set your heading, decide on your speed and start fishing with both hands.
yes it takes some $$ but you will not regret it!

I had a trolling plate on my 40 horse and it did get my speed down, but then you are pretty much stuck at whatever speed it gets you down to. No fine tuning so to speak. I cut an extra notch in it also but it didn't seem to make a difference. I upgraded my electric motor to a 24 volt system with more thrust lbs. and it was the best move I ever made (for my boat anyways) I don't have room for a kicker on my 16 footer. The electric motor on windy days may not be the best option for trolling, but in regular conditions I can troll all day and dial in my speed to whatever I want. I also fish for bass so the upgrade on the electric motor is perfect for both. It's not the cheapest way out but like I said, it is perfect for my 16 footer.

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There's something wrong with that rod.
It has a bend in it!!!

Also, with the bowmount electric you can just aim the motor straight ahead and steer with the steering wheel. No need for all the "bells and whistles" on the electric will save some $$$ to if you choose this method.

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There's something wrong with that rod.
It has a bend in it!!!

I have a Powerdrive i-Pilot that works great in low wind conditions. Not so good on windy days.

Trolling with a bag off the bow cleat works great. Cheaper than a kicker and you don't drill holes in your cavitation plate.

I have two drift bags. The best one is from Bass Pro. I've had it over twenty years and still going strong. Don't go too big on the bag. I have a 24 inch on a 16 ft with a fifty and it's just right. The other bag is 30 inches and it's too big for my boat.

I installed a cleat on the center of my bow. I tie the bag as close to the bow as possible to deduce the torque steer, which isn't too bad. I tie a line from the tail of the bag to my rear cleats.

When the bag is in the water and I want to move, I grab the rear line, lift the bag to drain and flip it the boat. Once I've moved, I grab the rear line and flip the bag back in the water. I don't have to get out of my seat.

I can adjust my speed with the motor.

I also use the bag to drift on a windy day. I run it off the bow and it keeps me square to the wind.

I bought mine at Wards in Kingston about 5 years ago