Substitute for Trolling Motor
GOCmuskiesWV
Posted 6/28/2017 10:03 PM (#866977)
Subject: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 59


I'm planning an extended muskie fishing trip in MN. During the first leg of this trip I'll be fishing out of a boat with no trolling motor. I hate being held hostage by the wind or lack there of and had contemplated buying a low end tiller motor. Then came the realization that I'd have to buy a battery and a battery charger and this idea quickly began to run into quite a bit of money; more than I'd care to spend for something I get to do 2-3 weeks out of the year if I'm lucky. Talking to the resort/camp ground owner he suggested that I reserve one of their new ultra quiet Yamaha motors. He said that it would work well as a trolling motor. I'm not sure if he and I were using the same definition of trolling during the discussion. Has anyone ever used their outboard as a substitute for am actual trolling motor? If so, how has it worked and how bad is it on gas?
muskyroller
Posted 6/28/2017 10:18 PM (#866979 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 1039


Location: North St. Paul, MN
How big of a motor? 2 stroke or 4? I do this type of fishing in canada all the time on small lakes with smaller boats and my old Johnson 10 hp.

Also am forced into this on Lac Seul fishing out of camp boats (60 hp 4stroke).

BACKTROLLING is the only way. If you go forward, it'll be way too fast.
GOCmuskiesWV
Posted 6/28/2017 10:43 PM (#866981 - in reply to #866979)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 59


What I mean by trolling is propelling the boat forward while I cast not putting the rod in a rod holder or holding it while I have X amount of line out. I think this is where the owner and I may have had a different definition of trolling.
muskyroller
Posted 6/29/2017 9:30 AM (#867026 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 1039


Location: North St. Paul, MN
Yep. That's what I was referring to. You can do it...it'll take some practice. A lot of neutral/reverse to hold you and then move along.
Fishysam
Posted 6/29/2017 10:33 AM (#867042 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 1209


As long as your not shifting into or out of gear while figure 8ing should be fine. But a small boat with a new 36-40# troller should run all day on a small battery, I would think I could get it done for about 220$ new probally 100$ used.
Fishysam
Posted 6/29/2017 10:36 AM (#867043 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 1209


https://touch.bismanonline.com/minn_kota_30lb_trolling_motor

This is off a Craig's list type internet sales that is local to my area, I'm sure you can find one similar close to you. And people sell batteries too
jlong
Posted 6/29/2017 11:52 AM (#867053 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor





Posts: 1937


Location: Black Creek, WI
Use the Yamaha in reverse like backtrolling. You can steer with your foot/leg and speed is pretty slow while you cast. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
GOCmuskiesWV
Posted 6/29/2017 1:00 PM (#867059 - in reply to #867043)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 59


Thanks! I appreciate the consideration.
tomcat
Posted 6/29/2017 1:09 PM (#867061 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor





Posts: 743


I have used my 9.9 HP Yamaha outboard multiple times as my trolling motor. it's not too bad. works fine. doesnt scare the fish
curleytail
Posted 6/29/2017 10:36 PM (#867121 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 2687


Location: Hayward, WI
It would work if it's what you have. But I think a used trolling motor will be more effective and easier to use. I think you'll make more casts in a day using an electric motor vs tending to a small outboard all the time. No shifting in and out of gear, no motor running, no going too fast with the electric motor. If you can swing it, the electric would be nice. If not plenty of fish have been caught while running an outboard.
Clark A
Posted 6/29/2017 11:25 PM (#867123 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 624


Location: Bloomington, MN
I will second outboards not scaring fish. Last year at a Wisconsin tournament we boated 3 in 20 minutes, and the motor was running all the time. They were all shorties 30"-33". 14 in one week in Canada, the motor was running for at least 8. If the wind is howling, I prefer the outboard (tiller), but I'm an old school drifter. It is now legal in northern Wisconsin..no worries mon!
Brian7488
Posted 6/30/2017 5:59 AM (#867133 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: RE: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 54


This is not mine, nor have ever tried it, but It might be an option for you.


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T3clay
Posted 7/5/2017 12:11 AM (#867720 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor





Posts: 770


Now thats an idea there.....
M Ruff
Posted 7/5/2017 12:24 PM (#867773 - in reply to #867720)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 51


Go back to "old School"; late 70's - early 80's, running in reverse with main motor tiller handle between the legs was not uncommon, using up to 50 HP 2 Strokes (biggest tiller available then). Sometimes the motor didn't shut off til lunch or end of day. Burn baits and cover water, and that was in days of slower reel speeds 4.7 6500s, 4.1 (but big spools) 7000.
Worked then, you may be surprised. And yes you can still successfully figure 8 with the motor running.
Something to keep in mind as well if your electric bites the dust out on a trip; if you run a tiller.
Obviously you can still drift if you want to when conditions are right.
happy hooker
Posted 7/5/2017 3:01 PM (#867802 - in reply to #867773)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 3149


If nothing else opens up for you,,anchor!!_not has convenient but this does work set up on a main lake point or a weedbed and fan cast,,lift and do it again,,you may actually like it vs kicking the outboard on the transom all day,,done both. Yeah gets old cranking the anchor in cleaning the mud off anchor but the advantage is casting from a comfortable position not twisted hopping on one leg,and total visibility and concentration on the lure working it.

Edited by happy hooker 7/5/2017 3:31 PM
25homes
Posted 7/14/2017 10:24 AM (#870107 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor





Posts: 983


ppl use small gas motors as trollers all the time...this why you see kicker motors on so many boats....
redskeet100
Posted 7/14/2017 11:32 AM (#870116 - in reply to #866977)
Subject: Re: Substitute for Trolling Motor




Posts: 99


Location: Tulsa, OK
Yes, I have used a tiller motor to move the boat much like a trolling motor while fishing in Canada. It works fine, not as user friendly as a trolling motor, but you get used to it and it is sufficient. I don't think it has an effect on the fish, maybe not as good of boat control, but it works.