Outboard VS I/O
 

Aside from the increased fuel consumption issue with an outbard, how do you troll really, really slow for striped bass with an outboard?

My I/O idles at @ 500 rpm and I can go about 1.5-3 mph. 2-strokes usually idle much higher at @ 900-1000 rpm......How do these outboard guys do it? If the bait moves too fast it does not go deep enough and also a bass just does not seem to want it if its too fast.

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

I don't troll much, but my buddies with outboards that do use kicker motors.

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

Try trolling with a drift sock tied off your rear cleat. I do this when I am trolling with the tide and wind. I can get my speed down to 1.5knts ( gps ) doing this
Capt K

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

900 - 1000 rpm is too high. Outboards should be idling at about 600. Best thing for trolling is a kicker motor. Drift socks will work, but better for..........you guessed it. Drifting. I've used drift socks quite a bit for Fluke fishing.

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

Can you turn the idle down that low on an outboard? I had an old 1984? 75 HP merc on a whaler and I could never get that thing to idle slow enough. If I did it would occasionally stall, carbon buildup, etc. The thing used to shreik like a SOB when running too. Drove me nuts. Thats why I went to an I/O. Don't have the cash for one of those new 4 stroke OB's either.

Tried the drift sock idea and got my line tangled up in it. Wind shifted and I almost cut the thing to bits w/ the prop....only good to slow a long drift like for flukin maybe.

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

Yes. They really shouldn't idle that fast. My Yammi idled at 600 rpm. Carbon buildup is a concern with older large HP motors trolling at slow speeds. Hence the justification of a smaller kicker motor.
Common with Mercs. Older ones anyways.

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

We socked it to the stripers trolling at 6 - 8 mph out of Oregon Inlet this time last year using diving plugs. I couldn't believe how fast those 15 - 25 lb fish dart to grab those plugs! I always thought striper should be trolled slowly....until last year ;D

But, to answer your question from one particular angle, I've got a 70hp outboard with a trolling plate attached to the lower unit. Its a trolling plate with springs on it so you don't have to raise or lower it. For anyone who doesn't know, a trolling plate blocks the thrust of the prop to slow down your speed.

The one I bought was a "Hussle Trolling Plate". I love it for flounder fishing in small creeks. It took my 17fter down from 4mph to 1 - 1.5mp. Its great for docking too! The thrust of the prop pushes it up when you gas it up. Here's a pic:
http://www.johnsonmarinesupply.com/images/medhussle.JPG
My only complaint is that it did not come with stainless hardware so its pretty rusty looking now! Just the springs and bolts of course!

Blue

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

I run a Stingray hydrofoil on my engin.

Is there a way that these can be run toghter??

Or do you have to run one or the other??

Does the trolling plate work as a hydrofoil when under way?

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

What a waste. :'(

Always strikes me as being a crummy thing to do. Take a big motor and burden it so you can go slower while it labors and wastes gas and oil and carbons up.

Why not just get a kicker and save your big motor and maybe even your own *** one day. 8)

Re: Outboard VS I/O
 

This what I had on my Gruman 16. There was no room for a kicker and maybe you just don't want a kicker.
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...ainCatcat21276