Kicker or Trolling plate?

[quadrafire]

I've been considering adding a kicker to my boat during it's upgrade. But have seen some boats w/ trolling plates on the main.
I have a 16 ft boat w/ a 60 hp 4 stroke merc.
Any thoughts, pros/cons to each?  Other than the obvious.....expense.

[CP]

I like a kicker mostly because if the main craps out it's hard to walk home.

[quadrafire]

I like a kicker mostly because if the main craps out it's hard to walk home.

Or swim 

[quadrafire]

Back on the board for some of you fishing folks that missed it earlier in the day 

[Mfowl]

I favor a kicker for the same reason stated above, I just had to use mine to motor back to the ramp on Lake Wa last week due to a dead battery. Also a kicker will help keep the hours of your main and generally performs better on fuel consumption. 

[Westside88]

I use a trolling plate on my 18 foot run about because mounting a kicker with the way my boats shaped would be tough and I really don want to buy a long shaft kicker for it since I usually fish out of my 14 aluminum boat. I just bought cabelas new stainless plate that pops up when you apply enough power and doesn't use shear pins like the old model did. It's much improved and I think I'm going to like it

[sled]

If you can afford, and mount a kicker go that route.  You will save a ton in gas alone the first year you run it if you fish a lot.  Plus it's back up.
I run a 6hp on my 16 foot bayrunner.  It's almost to much to troll with.  I'm thinking you might foul some plugs with a trolling plate.

[jay.sharkbait]

I used to pull a bucket or two. Just don't forget about them.

[quadrafire]

Good ideas guys. Thanks!!!!

[Ridinshotgun]

Kicker

[lokidog]

Why either one?

Does your engine not troll down slow enough? I troll for kings with my 90hp.

I have a troll plate you can try out if you want to.  One problem with kickers is the four strokes add a huge amount of weight to the transom, most boats still seem to be designed for the weight of 2-strokes.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Depending on what your funds are the troll plate will work. But the kicker would be the best route for all reasons already stated.

[WAcoueshunter]

I have a similar sized boat and also run a 60 hp 4 stroke merc.  Those things hardly use any gas, so that's not really a big consideration.  My hesitation with the kicker has always been weight.  Hanging a heavy 4 stroke kicker off one side of the stern would tilt the balance of the boat.  I have no problems trolling with the 60 unless I'm freshwater sockeye fishing, even with two buckets out I can't get it quite slow enough.  I will try a trolling plate next time I go for sockeye. 

[sled]

Why either one?

Does your engine not troll down slow enough? I troll for kings with my 90hp.

I have a troll plate you can try out if you want to.  One problem with kickers is the four strokes add a huge amount of weight to the transom, most boats still seem to be designed for the weight of 2-strokes.

youve probably got a fancy new motor.  Lol

[sled]

I'm not lucky enough to have up to date 4 stroke motors.  My main is a 40 horse Suzuki 2 stroke, and my kicker is a 6 hp 2 stroke.