AnglingAddict

Pushes my driftboat perfect at idle and was approx same size prop and pitch that was on my T9.9 high thrust that I had on a 21’ fishmaster.  Plenty of clearance between prop and anticavitation plate.  

I lied - not a 12 pitch.  Can’t remember what the OEM prop was but it was smaller with significantly more pitch.  Here’s what fit my 2023 merc 9.9 4-stroke.  (Not a Bigfoot motor)

10 hours ago, stinger said:

 

AA: What is the model# of the Solace four blade prop you use. I have a 2006 Merc 9.9 4 stroke with the stock three blade prop that I use as a kicker for trolling on my 19' glass boat.  Just wondering if a four blade will be better suited for 1.8-2.5 mph that I usually am trolling at.

Im on vacation right now but when I get back will grab it for you. 

Weather or wind?

A lot of guys are running larger diameter shallower pitch props for kickers.  Those props are better at pushing heavy loads at slower speeds.  Main advantage is better bite, more control,  and less prop slip as compared to a prop that is designed to operate at higher speeds.  Some specific kickers like the Yammy High Thrust or the Merc Bigfoots have a gearbox that has a lower gearing as well which helps.  

I swapped out a 3 blade OEM prop on my 9.9 merc 4 stroke that I use on my driftboat for a Solas Amita 4 blade in a 12" pitch versus the 16" pitch prop that came with the outboard - noticable difference in performance.  Boat is limited to about 7mph because its a non-planing hull and either prop could get me there but the 4 blade solas definitely moves a lot of water and keeps the boat on track.

Back when I had a trailerable boat we fished the finger lakes a lot (I grew up fishing Canandaigua).  Flasher/fly on 8" spindoc or echip with a fly is absolutely a great presentation for lake trout in the finger lakes.  White double crush glow attractor with an Ultra White Glow A-Tom-Mik fly took an insane number of lakers for me deep and on overcast days.  For me they were best fished off wire divers - June/July timeframe was best.  Chrome/Green attractors with A-Tom-Mik Hypnotist flies were another great option on bright days.

As far as fishing smaller lures - the fish in the finger lakes feed on alewives and while those alewives may be just a tad smaller than the big adults you find on Lake Ontario - I wouldn't hesitate to run regular size Dreamweaver spoons, superslims, regular size stingers or Stingrays by MIchigan Stinger......

I like fishweather - I use the paid version of it and I've found it to be the one I use the most.  We are slipped so we are at the boat anyways usually so for us its a matter of getting up and looking at the lake but good to know what the wind will do in a couple hours as well.....might help you to decide if you are going to breakfast or going to leave the dock.

My kiddo and I were out of Fair Haven on the 3rd in that fog - absolutely crazy!  We were in the driftboat - 6 rods.  3 flatlines, a one color, a slide on one side and chinook diver on the other.  We ended up 6 for 10 - not on fire but picked away.   All put back for another day.  Vid of him navigating the driftboat back to the chute LOL.

I always say you gotta go make your own reports!  Nice job!  Sounds like a decent day!

He's only shore casting in the spring - winter he's too busy fishing steelhead so for him never really below freezing when he is shore casting - agree braid absorbs water and will make a mess if it gets below freezing.  

My son uses 15# braid to a barrel swivel and a 4-5' of 10# flouro leader - good castability with braid for that application.   He uses a 9'6" 6-12# rated rod and an older 2500 size Daiwa SS spinning reel that holds plenty of braid and has a smooth drag.

There are some good FaceBook pages for GoPro users - I would try there - lots of guys in the know....

bags don't get in the way - rig them to run off side and the end of the bag just forward of your transom.

Yeah - the knot wouldn't slide through the rear clip - probably not that - odd??? 

my guess is your board is sliding on the release - instead of your middle board sliding 'up' my guess is your inside board is sliding down the line enough that the two end up with close to the same "line out" from rod tip to front release on the inline - what are you running for boards and releases?

Watch the weather with a smaller boat - things can kick up fast.  PFDs this time of year as well.

I have a pile of them - kicking around the idea of moving to something different.  What are guys getting for them if they are in good shape?

48 minutes ago, Marty59 said:

Still have to aware of Photo Shop'd pictures!  Those types are tricky.

I get it but if you make it hard enough where they have to put extra effort in they usually move along to the next guy....scammers don't really seem to put much work in - at least for something thats a few hundred dollars it seems....content usually to find another easy target...

A lot of these guys will grab pics off the internet and ask for payment even thought they don't have the item in their possession.  What I typically do is ask them for a second photo of the item and ask them to hold a specific item in the field of view - like a can of soda or a dollar bill or some common object.  When doing that I've never been scammed - most times on social media or here if I have requested I'm either blocked or the person goes away.....food for thought.

Thanks guys!

Lots of good memories in our 2023 rewind - couple good tournament placings, Bobby won the summer LOC youth salmon (4th on the main board) and we took home the A-Tom-Mik triple crown for the 2023 season.  Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/uLF17nQymgM

was going to ask if rod was for sale and what it was - but I see this post is 3 years old now....

Set them loose - if they false trip with the speed you are running and what you are pulling - reel in and give half turn on screw - repeat until you get release tension so that it holds at trolling speed plus a little more and you will be right where you need to be.

Go with Mike Yorks - Propellor Works in Canandaigua - he built me a set for my 33. Definitely beefier than the chinook rudders.   Take him your old rudders he will cut keyways perfect so they drop right in - no issues spacing them out etc.  

Wasn’t a “per inch” price that I was quoted - was around $1000 tax title license and delivery lol.