As you know, getting all the features you want on a boat costs $$$. I wonder how well I could make do by poling instead of using a TM. I almost always fish alone, so I know a TM would be the best setup. But with a pole I could at least pole up to a creek mouth and anchor a little quieter. I doubt that working a shoreline while trying to fish and pole would be very efficient, and a TM would be way better there. But sometimes you have to start where you can and add on the goodies little by little.
I’d really like to hear from guys who’ve used the pole a good bit. Likes, dislikes, etc.
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
Cracker Larry I hear all this talk I need some proof… When we going fishing . Polling a skiff and fishing at the same time by your self would be near bout impossible . If you fish by yourself a lot then the TM is the way to go in my opinion. I am sure polling alone can be done and has been done but not near as enjoyable fishing alone as a TM. If you haven’t ever polled a skiff before try it out sometime in a 10mph wind and youll understand where I am coming from.
quote:Cracker Larry I hear all this talk I need some proof... When we going fishing
Man, I deserved that I’m sorry Shea, I owe you an apology I did offer you a fishing trip a while back and have been remiss in my follow up. If we get some decent weather next week I’ll get in touch and we’ll do it.
Not only do I not have a trolling motor, but I almost never pole either. My boat is tough to pole, the high bow and T-top makes for a lot of windage. I can only pole downwind and down tide, if both are going in the same direction I think I poled it once last year for a couple hundred yards
No reason for me to pole or troll endless miles of non-productive water looking for fish. It’s a waste of time and energy. In over 50 years of fishing, I’ve pretty much learned where the fish will be and when, they are creatures of habit, so I go to a spot and stake out or anchor. The outboard at idle doesn’t scare the fish any more than a trolling motor does. I can ride a bank and look for fish just as well with the outboard as a trolling motor. It’s the boat that spooks the fish, not the motor. Fish don’t know what a motor is. Last trip we caught 35 trout, 30 reds and 10 black drum, and never once moved the boat:smiley: But everybody does it different:sunglasses:
Expect to hear from me soon.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
My name is Adam woods I have spoken with you on a few occasions. I talked with you on the phone about your canopy shelter last year. I live in the big city of Ridgeland.
I had offered a fishing trip to a fellow named Shea Sommerville, but I must have got the screen names confused. Shea, if you are reading this, please reply.
Adam, I’ll be glad to take you fishing. We’ll bring Nick and btodag too, yall can do the poling Everybody has to wear name tags though
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Haven’t heard from Shea in a while now myself… I took him fishing twice and each time we only caught 1 fish… I haven’t taken him again since… He’s bad luck
I think it depends on your style. If you are a “still hunter” or “cork slinger” then you dont need a TM. You can just anchor up and fish. This works really good if you are good at knowing where fish are and when like Cracker Larry. If you are like me, you can find them but usually the places I’m looking for them you can’t even put the motor in the water so idling definitely doesnt work. IMO the trolling motor is worth every dollar you spend on it. When I finally got one I couldn’t have been happier since I like you usually fished by myself often and even though I had a pole I just wasn’t out there for exercise, I was there to fish.
quote:but usually the places I'm looking for them you can't even put the motor in the water so idling definitely doesnt work.
I can run my outboard on the jack plate in 6" of water, and a trolling motor takes the same amount.
Like I said initially, a trolling motor is nice, but if your budget doesn’t allow it, just go fishing. The fish don’t care. I probably fished 25 years before trolling motors were invented and we still managed to catch fish. I know it’s hard to believe
quote:I just wasn't out there for exercise, I was there to fish.
That’s about my thoughts on a push pole too. I use mine when I get stuck, to push off the mud. Then I crank the engine
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
. Polling a skiff and fishing at the same time by your self would be near bout impossible . If you fish by yourself a lot then the TM is the way to go in my opinion. I am sure polling alone can be done and has been done but not near as enjoyable fishing alone as a TM. If you haven’t ever polled a skiff before try it out sometime in a 10mph wind and youll understand where I am coming from.
I’m sorry Shea, I owe you an apology 
Everybody has to wear name tags though