---

Does anyone have any experience with a trolling plate? They are a lot cheaper than an auxiliary trolling motor and seem to get the speed down to an adequate range. The one I'm considering is the EasyTroller Trolling Plate. I'm not too worried about drilling holes in the cavitation plate for mounting considering I'll probably be repowering in a few years.

---

Here is the Midwest we use trolling bags (not drift socks). Trolling bags not only slow down your boat it it helps with speed control when in waves to keep you from Surfing waves and also helps the boat from rolling when trolling in the trough. I have not used them but others have told me the trolling plate limits the control of the motor.

---

I use trolling bags on my 1984 Montauk 17 with an E-TEC 90. My idle speed is 3 mph at 700 rpm. The trolling bags slow me down to 1.3 to 1.5 mph. I have them tied together with a piece of 1/2 inch polypropylene, the center of that line is tied to the lifting eye in the bow then each line lead through the bits on the bow light fitting and around the sides on top of the gunnels till past the uprights then into the water the rear of the bags are about a foot forward of the transom and I run a small line from the rear of the sock to the lifting eyes either side of the transom. Keeping the socks forward of the transom keeps them out of the prop. The small lines on the back of the socks keep them from going under the boat. I'm going out tomorrow and will take a picture. I believe the trolling socks were about 25.00 each. I'll measure them also tomorrow.

---

My fishing buddy has a 115hp Etec on a non Whaler boat. He has the trolling plate. I remember 2 instances in the last few of years where I had to straddle the motor to straighten it with my feet. He added some aluminum angle to strengthen it but we have not used it in a couple of years. He may have used it by himself. I would not install one and would look at the other posts for remedies. I have a trolling motor on my boat.

Garris

---

I used to fish Lake Michigan a lot with a 1981 17' Sport with an 80hp Merc then a 1985 Evinrude 90. I rarely found I was trolling too fast, and when I was, I used a 5 gallon bucket towed from the bow to act as a brake. I was usually loaded quite heavy and had a prop that would work well loaded but it would over rev if I ran the boat empty. I think a plate on the motor would get in the way and possibly foul your fishing lines.

---

I have loaded three photos of my trolling bag setup on my personal website. There are two bags, one each side. I don't know the brand. They are 18 inches in diameter. Please pardon the dirty boat in the photos.

---

Thanks for the information on the trolling bags. I'll look into going that route in lieu of the trolling plate.