Finally back to Ballentine Creek and pulled planer boards and big floats across and around our favorite shallow hump. Had more strikes than hookups. Wound up with one 22, two 23, three 24 and one loon. Water temp was 51.6 when we got out about 10 and was up to 53.9 when we left at 2. Never really saw any concentrations of fish but they stayed around the hump until the rec boaters started getting in full swing. Nice comfortable day.
Like I read from a post in a different forum, “they need to have a jealous face on here.” 
It had to be beautiful out there yesterday. Them planer boards seem to be working out really well for you guys.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Was in Ballentine Tue, Weds and caught about the same class fish as you pulling Planers and free lines also caught a few on Down Rods. Also did not mark many fish but they were definately there.
Yeah, Tim, for this time of year and current water conditions, I think they are hard to beat. We’re still not catching as big or as many as the “pros” in this group, but doing well enough to put smiles on our faces. I’m positive we’re maxed out with just fishing 5 rods. Can’t even imagine doing 10 or more as some folks do. That’s beyond our capabilities. Have a little extra challenge with our engine mounted trolling motor. Really need to pay attention when fighting a fish. I’ll be glad when we can get back to downrodding, it’s much more relaxing and don’t have to be concerned with birds.
I probably didn’t do it right, but I just cranked that loon in (mostly underwater) and then cut the line as close as I could get to the hook without getting bit. Anyway, it left and was happy to be gone.
pattianne, I was thinking about getting an engine mounted trolling motor on our boat. Does it work ok? I know it has some draw backs but that’s my best option at this time.
180 Wellcraft Fisherman
There are some pros and cons to them. We have a 12 v system with 55 pounds of thrust for our 17 foot bass boat which works as well as I hoped it would. (There are formulas on the internet for determining how much thrust you need for size of boat. I think that KW186 uses a 24 v system on his rig.)
Without going an I Pilot or such type route on the really nice bow mounted trolling motors, it does make it easier to just use the steering wheel to control boat movement where one can easily see the fish finder or GPS lake chart, however, trolling motors are much more accurate in pulling the bow through the water rather than pushing it, so one does have to make frequent little corrections as the bow tends to swing…
Then if you’re pulling planer boards and fighting a fish at the back of the boat, you need to be on your toes or at least not get blatantly careless.
They also have “reverse” capabilities which is true but more accurately means you can spin the prop in the other direction. One doesn’t have the best maneuverability here.
So for us, it suits are needs and gives us expanded capability at a nominal cost. Our trips out are typically 4-5 hours and if we’ve been using the trolling motor full time pulling boards, I typically recharge every 2nd trip.
My good friend Rick K. said it best when it comes to engine-mounted trollers, “Ever try to push a chain?”
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Ive had a motor mounted el motor for over 20 yrs and love them! Last year I bought a new MinK 24 V 80 # . It uses very little battery, and can fish 3 days on a charge. Great working freelines and PB eapecaly when you are alone. Takes some practice to run them in the wind ,they push insted of pull. Are great when spoon fishing. I fish out of a walk over windsheld Glassmaster 20’ boat and sure beats the bow mounted motor
If they have reverse, I would pull backwards if the water isn’t too rough and if that’s what I had-- “backtrolling” as our northern brethren call it. Hard to beat a bow-mounted Ipilot. However, we all have to go with whatever gives us success.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Thanks for the info. The Mink 80 is what we are looking at
180 Wellcraft Fisherman
I’m selling my 55# autopilot for $350 if you are interested. Did fine pulling my wellcraft V20, I just wanted the I-Pilot.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Overspend a little last week did we???
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomI’m selling my 55# autopilot for $350 if you are interested. Did fine pulling my wellcraft V20, I just wanted the I-Pilot.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I-Pilot is the deal…just upgraded on the Ankona
Ankona Native SUV 17
Tohatsu 30
gas and herring aren’t cheap. And my tank of a boat and the 200 2 cycles makes for a gas guzzling combo. But it would take a lot of gas to equal the cost of a 200 hp 4 stroke. If I sell the autopilot I still haven’t covered the weeks expenses
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffOverspend a little last week did we???
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude