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Location: 31 | Hi Shep,
I think the versatility you mention is more in-line with a multi species boat, and not a mostly 620 muskie boat that has no good place to park your rear end. I suppose some people are okay with that but I'm definitely not interested in sitting on a live well with a cushion, not even for a few hours.
I have no problem sitting 12 to 16 hours a day far away from the motor noise in a comfortable chair at the helm though… and feel that I can pretty effortlessly duplicate any perceived advantage you mentioned with my remote… and then some.
I absolutely agree that stalling the baits is a fish trigger, but when I use the stall technique, I do it with floating baits over a premier spot trying to finesse a strike, and definitely not on a turn when the outside baits are speeding up.
Actually, the only time I use the stall technique is when I know the fish are using a very specific area, but the bite is slow. To me that is the trolling equivalent of a creeper/hog wobbler casting presentation, effective at times but only to be used in a very specific manner and location. One thing you're going to need with the stall technique (or trolling top water for that matter), is the ability to immediately put pressure on a strike.
I'm not familiar with a troll master, but have used the more advanced TR1 autopilot (same push button concept) plenty and noticed that it was more of a buildup to full throttle than the immediate full throttle you get with a remote. Either way, I absolutely agree that varying your speed is good when used for a specific purpose, and that is a large part of my overall trolling game plan.
Wow, excellent point on the down rods and absolutely agree that crawling on the deck to set a down rod is completely unacceptable! I know of a premier muskie guide who still uses those curved back rails for his down rods… talk about needlessly beating yourself and your clients up. I really don't get why some guys do that because you can set your 2 prop wash rods at the rear of the easy to reach side rail and accomplish the same thing.
I have eight DEs on my 2 rear side rails and have the other DE mounted on the swim ladder for 9 rod capability, but only use that rear one for a tail-gunner when the prop wash bite is on. So absolutely agree that crawling on a deck is lame unless you have to do it (or the bite is on and you want 3 in the wash).
I can see that you're an accomplished troller by your comments, and without a doubt being able to better reach your tiller on your Tuffy works for your style of fishing. However, you would have to shoot at me before I would spend the money on a 621, and then sit hunched over back there for any length of time… and please don't take that the wrong way, because I'm really only interested in providing this gent with solid information regarding a tiller versus a remote so he can make a sound decision on his own boat.
I don't comment on a lot on these threads like some people, but when I do, it's typically only from long first-hand experience, and our discussion originally began when I took exception with your claim that the remote was “clumsy at best”. I just don't understand this statement, and can tell you from long experience there is nothing clumsy about a remote in the right hands, and there is a big difference between hitting a button for full throttle and slamming down a correctly rigged remote at times.
Obviously a lot depends on the style of fishing and once again, I'm not challenging your ability with your set up, because I'm sure you're excellent with it, but guarantee you that the repeatability and versatility you speak of for muskie can be easily duplicated by me with a remote. I can make this statement because I do it every day when I'm on the water, but then again I taught myself to manually vary my speed at times, or if I'm getting hits at 3.5, my boat rolls along at a very steady 3.5 unless it's rough. Well, time for bed, great discussion.
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