Trolling Motors and Bow Rails

[craddockcreek]

I am new to striper fishing.  Just bought a 1989 19 ft bayliner center console with a Force 125 outboard.  I read plenty of reviews on this boat that were not very complimentary, particularly of the motor, but it was only $3k with the trailer and the motor runs great and its in really nice shape, so I bought it.  But, no trolling motor.  I can't seem to find a solution to having bow rails and getting to good trolling motor. Any suggestions?  Should I take out a section of the rails, or would a transom tolling motor work ok?  I've seen trolling motors that affix to the outboard, but I don't know how that would work.   Thanks for any suggestions you have.  

[mytoyzfishing]

I had a Outboard mounted TM on my old CC. Worked ok long as you were going forward. You have to steer using you big motor. Ive seen where some guys have cut the front section out of the rail and mounted a regular bow mount TM. Only reason why I didnt remove the rail on mine all together was because of family.

[mwardncsu]

First make sure your bow is not too high up for a bow mount trolling motor with a 60" shaft to stay in the water - including when there are some wakes rolling by. This can be an issue with full center consoles

On some bow rails you can mount the TM in a way that you can still pivot and slide the TM up and in our out and down - but it can be a bit of a pain. You may need to cut out a section of the bow rail and cap it off - if you decide you can stand the look of of once cut out.

Engine mounted TM is a option but not a great one and there are also "trim and troll tabs" - trim tabs that have a TM motor on each - this may give better control as you don't steer by turning the big motor - not sure if these are still available and what level of remote control they provide.

[craddockcreek]

Thanks--seems like most of the trolling motors I see are bow mounted and I assume they are much easier to control than transom as all of the transom mounted motors I see are just handle style rather than pedal or remote controlled.
Might be a dumb question, but until I solve this problem, can I fish with planner boards just with my outboard put in gear and going as slow as possible, or would that be too fast for live bait. I have seen on mward's general description of live bait fishing that I'd want to go 1-3 miles per hour, but I have no idea what an outboard (mine is a 125 force) would do being just put into gear. Same question with artificials--spoons I guess. Thanks.

[Brian]

If it's too fast, you can always tow a sea anchor or bucket.

[mwardncsu]

Don't think I said 1-3 mph for live bait fishing - maybe 1.3. When pulling live bait I usually go 0.5 - 1.3 or 1.5 if I'm really hauling it. Trolling artificials is usually done in the 2.5-3.5 mph range.

[hotdog]

I've had some luck pulling u-rigs with my outboard. Idle gets me about 3 mph an if I see something deep I may shift to neutral for a few seconds to let the rigs sink a little deeper. Also keep eye out for the shallow trees in which case you can speed up a little pulling the rigs shallower. As for live baits, if you can't get slowed down to about 1.5 mph I don't think they'll live long. You might try drifting with baits out. Watch the wind direction and set up accordingly. Good luck

[jon]

If its not a safety issue take the rail off. I tried several ways on my old CC and ended up just removing it.

Jon