Trolling is one of the popular ways of leisure time in the summer. And it often leads people to get a big catch which increases their spirit for trolling. But, if it’s your first time, you’ll face a problem in maintaining its perfect speed because speed is the most essential factor for trolling.
Depending on the water speed, types of fish, and also the lure choice, you must maintain a standard speed. In general, the trolling speed depends on the fishing techniques. But, how to slow your boat down for trolling?
Well, this is where our article comes in handy. We’ll explain in detail all the possible ways to slow down the boat while trolling. So, be with us to know how exactly you can slow down your boat for trolling.
How To Slow Your Boat Down For Trolling: 6 Amazing Ways
Many amazing ways are available that can be beneficial for you to slow down your boat for trolling. Among all of them, we will introduce you to the 7 significant ways to slow down your boat.
You can go through these amazing ways according to your fishing techniques. Not all the techniques are necessary for you to follow. Go through these ways and find out your best match-
- Using Trolling Bags and Drift Socks
If you use trolling bags for boats or drift socks, it will help you slow your trolling speed. These two devices keep boosting drag to slow down the speed. But, between the trolling bags and drift socks, we recommend the rolling bags. The trolling bag can deliver robust construction in rough sea terrain that you won’t expect from drift socks.
But, you must go through an accurate trolling bag size, or else it won’t help you 100 on 100 on your slowing down procedure. Let’s have a quick look at the below trolling bag sizing-
- 20 Ft Boat requires a 15-18″ Diameter Bag
- 24 Ft Boat requires a 22″ Diameter Bag
- 30Ft Boat requires a 28″ Diameter Bag
- 32 Ft Boat requires a 36″ Diameter Bag
- Using Electric Motor
Not always the electronic motor is used to position tools but it can also help you slow down the boat for trolling. It works well, especially with the bay boats that come with the bow-mounted trolling motor.
Using these electric motors can come in handy in terms of a variety of functions because if just used for tool positioning, it can drain the marine battery. But, keeping it engaged in slowing down the boat for trolling will enhance its performance.
- Using An Additional Outboard Engine
While you need to slow your boat for trolling with outboard motor extensively, you can also use an additional outboard engine. It is the most popular kicker that you can use doubt-free. If you want to slow your boat for trolling for salmon, using an outboard engine is the best way to slow down the boat.
- Shifting Engines
You can slow down the boat in another fantastic way and that’s by shifting engines. You’ll find this way the best option especially while you intend to keep the lures and bait closer to the bottom part of the boat. Also, this method works fine if you keep trolling with strong wind or current.
- Shutting Down the Engine of Your Boat
Turn on all the leading and additional boat engines to keep the boat’s speed high that you might not need. In that case, you can easily slow down the speed right after shutting down the additional engines. It is a great way to drop speed.
- Trolling Plate
Going through the right amount of speed with the trolling plate can also help you to slow down the boat. Trolling plate is the accessory of the outboard cavitation plate. This trolling plate can act as the speed barrier which can lower the boat’s speed from 1.3 to 1.8 miles per hour.
But remember, the trolling plate will damage if you apply excessive power when it is locked in plastic.
- Rowing
Rowing is the easiest option if you use small boats. Keeping rowing the boat on a calm water surface can also slow down your boat for trolling. So, if you don’t find the above options right for you, use this option. We hope it will work fine for your small boat.
What Is The Proper Speed For Trolling?
It’s right that trolling is a wonderful way to enjoy your pastime. But what is the proper speed for trolling for this wonderful job? Well, trolling speed is measured by GPS which should be between 1.5 MPH and 2.5 MPH. It is the standard speed that you can use for almost all types of species like salmon, trout, walleye, etc.
Although the trolling speed of 1.5 to 2.5 MPH is the standard size for all species, still you should maintain a level of trolling speed considering different fishing conditions and species. Let’s see in brief-
Top Trolling Speed for Fish Species
Trolling speed should be based on the different types of fish species. For example-
Bass: When it’s your trolling time for bass, keep the speed at 2 to 4 miles per hour.
Trout: The speed level should be from 1.5 to 2.5 miles/ hour while trolling for trout.
Pike: Trolling for pike fish species requires your trolling to be a bit slower. Keep the speed at 1.5 miles/hour or even slower than that if you cannot manage to catch pike for a long time.
Tuna: Use heavier lures and keep the speed 5-8.5 miles/hours if the water level is cold. It will help you catch Tuna fish with ease.
Salmon: Trolling for salmon requires a maximum speed level of 1.5 to 3.5 miles/hour. Keep the speed level directly at 3.5 miles/hour if you find plenty of salmon on the water surface.
Top Speed for Lures
Trolling speed not just be accurate based on fish species but you must consider the type of lure to determine the best speed level. Here are some of the examples-
Spoon Lures: When it is a spoon lure, you require a speed level of 1-2 miles/hour.
Spinner Lures: Spinner lures go well through 1.2 to 1.5 miles/hour of speed level.
Plunger Lure: The plunger lure requires the maximum level of speed which goes up to 11 miles/ hour.
Crankbait Lures: This type of lure necessitates its maximum speed level of up to 3 miles/hour.
Does Slow Trolling Hurt Big Engines?
Well, while you go through a slow trolling for a variety of fish species and lures, it is simple to doubt the engine’s performance. Because many of us think that slow trolling can hurt big engines.
But, we can assure you that slow trolling never can damage or hurt the big engine of your boat. It’s perfectly all right to use slow trolling in the means of fish catching. All it will require is a bit of extra fuel when you slow down the boat for trolling.
How Much Will A Trolling Plate Slow You Down?
If you’re confused about how much a trolling plate can slow down your boat, it’s not that specific. It depends on the type of trolling plate and also the brand you choose.
But, we can give you an overall idea about it. Usually, most of the brands provide their trolling plate with the capacity to slow down the boat at around two-thirds. It means that if your trolling goes 3 miles/ hour, it will slow down approximately 1 MPH.
Final Thought
Going through an accurate trolling speed is essential if you want to enjoy catching fish. In that case, you must know “how to slow your boat down for trolling?”.
Once you can recognize the right way to slow down the boat for trolling, you can determine the precise speed each time you get out for trolling.
We’ve shared the 7 best ways to slow down your boat for trolling. So, study them and find out which one will be the best for you to go through. Happy Fishing!
