hi all,

 

This is more curiosity than anything.  When I’ve run my dad’s boats, my kayak, and now my own, my preference is to have the trolling motor around halfway from min to max power.  On his motor guide that’s a 3 out of 5.  On my ultrex that’s 4-5 for me.  I’ll use my foot to roll the speed dial if I need to adjust it during the day.  His preference is always on max.  He’d rather it be on max and just give it a little bump on the momentary switch.  I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve jumped up front after him, hit the motor, and been thrown around.  Different horses for different courses I guess.

 

I’m curious how you guys all do it and why that’s your preference.

 

Rick 

Wind speed, wind direction, & thickness of vegetation determines that. 

I usualy run 2-3 on constant with the heading active. If I am picking apart the bank then its on 3-5 manual control only. I only do high when crossing a channel as I am usually too lazy to run the big motor for such a short distance. This is all on my Ulterra. 

all depends on the wind.

With my Ultrex Quest, I definitely do not leave it on 8 to 10. Even though MK does a nice job spooling it up to 10, I will still get a heft jerk. I usually set it on 4 for most situations, and just bump the momentary button as needed.

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Wind speed, wind direction, & thickness of vegetation determines that. 

 

3 hours ago, IYAOYAS said:

all depends on the wind.

 

So you guys vary your speed then.  I guess that's what I'm really asking.  Do more people vary their speed via the dial or leave it on high and just tap here or there.

 

 

3 hours ago, Junger said:

With my Ultrex Quest, I definitely do not leave it on 8 to 10. Even though MK does a nice job spooling it up to 10, I will still get a heft jerk. I usually set it on 4 for most situations, and just bump the momentary button as needed.

 

the spooling up was new to me on the ultrex.  The first trip out I was on a 6 or 7 and hit the button- felt like nothing happened.  Wasn't sure if I was actually hitting the button.  Then it ramped up and I could tell.  Anything over that level and it's going to give you a good jump when it kicks in.  god forbid you have the motor going left and right or its going to throw you.

7 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Do more people vary their speed via the dial or leave it on high and just tap here or there

 

Again depending on conditions & I will add it also depends on what I'm targeting.

 

I'm I targeting a shoreline/grassland, laydowns, standing timber. 

 

Y'all know I ain't normal 😉

I prefer a hand control TM with 2 Big Foot switches on the floor.

I run an 80lb Fortrex on my 1448. I usually start it at 20-30 and use momentary to move around. I will bump it up if I'm dealing with wind or current. And like others have mentioned, I'll run it wide open if I want to cross a channel or something without firing the big motor. 

I fish in the river with a fair amount of current and wind. The two of those determine everything I do. I like to cruise at like 3 most of the time I think. Been a minute since last fall when I used it last. 

I'm almost always standing in my boat...so I never have the TM set above 5 for fear of throwing myself out of the boat.

 

I use the hand-held remote control ~75% of the time, rarely need to get above a 4 on scale of 1-10.

 

I use spot-lock and auto-pilot a lot. Have been using cruise-control more this spring. Good feature.

1 hour ago, DaubsNU1 said:

I'm almost always standing in my boat...so I never have the TM set above 5 for fear of throwing myself out of the boat.

 

I use the hand-held remote control ~75% of the time, rarely need to get above a 4 on scale of 1-10.

 

I use spot-lock and auto-pilot a lot. Have been using cruise-control more this spring. Good feature.

 

Cruise control is great.  Cruise control plus heading at the same time for going down the bank was maybe more useful than spot lock on the kayak.  On the boat I haven't decided yet. 

I have no predefined speed use setting for the old school Fortrex

Totally situational.

A-Jay

I agree it depends.  

I’ll add to the conversation that it’s my personal belief without much proof that you’re less likely to draw the attention of the fish with the motor on low and always on vs pulsing off  and on at higher speed.   I spend a lot of time with the Ultrex on autopilot on low with occasional adjustments in direction.

I run mine as low as conditions allow and still keep moving.

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Do more people vary their speed via the dial or leave it on high and just tap here or there.

On my Edge, I can use the ball of my foot to change the speed, so it varies depending on conditions. Since I don't have spot-lock, sometimes I use that variable speed AS my spot-lock....takes a bit of finagling with the foot pedal, but doable.

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ll add to the conversation that it’s my personal belief without much proof that you’re less likely to draw the attention of the fish with the motor on low and on always on vs pulsing off  and on at higher speed.   I spend a lot of time with the Ultrex on autopilot on low with occasional adjustments in direction.

I agree with this. Unfortunately, I don't find it feasible all the time. I'd rather be a little less stealth than miss a chance at a juicy laydown. 

Depends on how fast the water is 

I am a slow poke like to move at a slow walking speed to see what’s happening and stop moving often to make several cast picking an area apart and catch bass passed over by anglers in a hurry. I use the OB to move faster or changing location.

Tom

So it seems like my dad is an outlier on this one.  When I say he doesn't turn it down, I mean the dial is glued to the max.  He could turn it to 5 and remove the dial and still be fine.  He still fishes areas far slower than I or most do, just that he doesn't hit the motor often.  Just a bump here or there to keep the boat pointed in the right direction.  I thought it was odd but not unique.  

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I have no predefined speed use setting for the old school Fortrex

Totally situational.

 

My maxxum operates nearly exactly the same as a fortrex so my power varies too.  The only difference here is that your boat is probably heavier and you likely fish in rougher waters more often.

 

No spot lock or cruise control or remotes for this guy.  Straight up cable steering with a dial for power on the side of it for immediate response.  The pedal and control of the bow mount is basically an extension of my right leg.

Usually between 20 and 30 on my Fortrex if it’s calm. 

I mostly fish bottom contact baits. I like to keep the boat moving.  I have gps speed over ground enabled.  .5 mph is where I try to keep it unit I get a bite.

As slow as I can but you know I'm on some juice if I'm holding position or cutting it off completely. 🙂

Just enough to move,,,,,,slowly.

On the Motorguide I use, 3 is for perfect conditions, 4 in to the wind, 2 in reverse to slow the wind if its blowing me one direction,  and 5 to get from one place to another.