Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 07:42:28 AM

Title: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 07:42:28 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: CP on August 04, 2016, 07:45:08 AM: I like a kicker mostly because if the main craps out it's hard to walk home.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 07:46:52 AM: Quote from: CP on August 04, 2016, 07:45:08 AM
I like a kicker mostly because if the main craps out it's hard to walk home.
Or swim ;)
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 06:23:33 PM: Back on the board for some of you fishing folks that missed it earlier in the day ;)
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: Mfowl on August 04, 2016, 06:33:26 PM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: Westside88 on August 04, 2016, 07:18:08 PM: 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
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: sled on August 04, 2016, 07:43:31 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: jay.sharkbait on August 04, 2016, 07:45:24 PM: I used to pull a bucket or two. Just don't forget about them.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: quadrafire on August 04, 2016, 08:17:40 PM: Good ideas guys. Thanks!!!!
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: Ridinshotgun on August 04, 2016, 08:25:14 PM: Kicker
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: lokidog on August 04, 2016, 09:33:41 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on August 04, 2016, 09:40:48 PM: Depending on what your funds are the troll plate will work. But the kicker would be the best route for all reasons already stated.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: WAcoueshunter on August 04, 2016, 09:44:29 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: sled on August 04, 2016, 10:02:24 PM: Quote from: lokidog on August 04, 2016, 09:33:41 PM
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
Title: Re: Kicker or Trolling plate?
Post by: sled on August 04, 2016, 10:05:11 PM: 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.