DownRiggers and Propguards

[Wooly Russ]

In the process of setting up a new Yamaha T9.9 kicker. How many of you run a propguard. Are they really needed? The choice would be a Mac's, or Clackacraft. Other ideas? I'm not really in a hurry to start drilling holes in a new motor, but I don't want to tangle up my downriggers either. Thanks!

 

[mrmike]

I have a 9.9 Yamaha on my sled I see now reason to start drilling holes. I did notice that its trolls faster at the lowest setting then the 8 horse Yamaha so I changed props and added a 8 horse prop with is a different pitch fits on the 9.9 It really trolls at what I want in certain situations it really idols down.

 

[916 Towerguy]

I ran a prop guard on the last boat and will NOT be running one on this one. I was always clearing sticks and branches from it in the spring. The branch would get stuck in between the prop and the ring and stall the motor.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

I don't use them on either of my outboards.

MrMike - So you changed both pitch and diameter on your kicker? What pitch did you change from vs. what your pitch is now?

 

[SuperD]

I run a prop guard and wouldn't troll without one. It protects you in shallow water from rocks and prevents downrigger lines from being cut. Mine has served me well in both those areas.

 

[Propnut69]

I have never had a prop-guard ,as I have never needed one. If you are fouling your down-riggers in your trolling motor. You are doing something wrong.

 

[Bduck]

I just installed the prop ring on my kicker. My downrigger cables are always coming close but haven't gotten tangle in there yet. I haven't had a problem running aground either. I'll work with it for a while. As far as debris getting hungup, that will be the chance I'll have to take. I've lost 2 fishfinder xducers from being whack with floating debris at higher speeds.

 

[Kokaholic]

I have a ring im going to install on my kicker this spring. With my boat I have had a few times that i have had my DR cables come close if the wind grabs me. So I am going to install it and give it a try to.

 

[SuperD]

Yep, back downrigger on the kicker side is vulnerable. Strong wind and high seas have cut my cable on one occassion and spooled my reel on my fishing rod on another occassion. If you have real long booms on the back it is less likely to be a problem.

 

[Kokaholic]

More than once the Flaming Gorge wind has grabbed me and spun me around so fast you dont have time to react. I was lucky in that I just ended up with tangled lines and escaped any major set back.

I will be mounting mine up soon. Mine is a home manufactured one from Stainless steel made by our KFF member Agitator. So, we will see how this works this year.

 

[SuperD]

On a humorous note, not once but twice I've had a fish I was fighting commit suicide by swimming into the prop. On both occassions I heard a thud and the kicker motor died. When I raised the power trim the fish's head was wedged between the prop guard halo and the prop. I think with a high degree of certainty those fish would have been a cut line and escape had it not been for the prop guard. So it isn't only a prop saver but a fish saver too!!!

 

[Bduck]

More than once the Flaming Gorge wind has grabbed me and spun me around so fast you dont have time to react. I was lucky in that I just ended up with tangled lines and escaped any major set back.

I will be mounting mine up soon. Mine is a home manufactured one from Stainless steel made by our KFF member Agitator. So, we will see how this works this year.

Mine also is a local manufacture product made from stainless. I'll use it this friday at Bear lake for the first time.

 

[Mark McWillis]

I don't have one and have never seen the need. That said, my boat is a bit "beamier" than many here so that may be part of why I don't see a reason to have one.

 

[SuperD]

Mark, if you get a prop guard, I bet you could run 2 more riggers out the back! tongue2 laugh hyst laugh hyst

 

[azbohunter]

I have what is probably going to sound like a really stupid question to you Kokanee fisherman. Does anyone backtroll? I grew up in the mid-west fishing walleye and spent more time going backwards than forwards. Several reasons, you are pulling the boat rather than pushing it which offers better control, you can go slower because of the square stern and water displacement, your lines and "downriggers" are pulled in a direction opposite of the prop. Obviously I have a tiller steering boat but it is more practical for me than it is with a center steer console.
I have never fished Kokanee nor fished with downriggers but plan to do both this summer so I am trying to get as much info as possible. What are your thoughts?
Dick

 

[lowe1648mt]

prop guards

No problem when you troll with a bow mount electric.nananana

 

[MMDON]

I run a prop guard and wouldn't troll without one. It protects you in shallow water from rocks and prevents downrigger lines from being cut. Mine has served me well in both those areas.

+1 It has saved my prop several times and probably my rigger wire as well!

 

[916 Towerguy]

On a humorous note, not once but twice I've had a fish I was fighting commit suicide by swimming into the prop. On both occassions I heard a thud and the kicker motor died.

The Coho's in Oroville love to run to the boat in the prop wash. They get in the bubbles and run for the noise.

 

[Mark McWillis]

Mark, if you get a prop guard, I bet you could run 2 more riggers out the back! tongue2 laugh hyst laugh hyst

Well...maybe nananana But seriously, I'll be fishing for Tuna this year and I'm really debating adding 15' outriggers....wouldn't that be a sight at Merwin!!!

 

[SuperD]

Well...maybe nananana But seriously, I'll be fishing for Tuna this year and I'm really debating adding 15' outriggers....wouldn't that be a sight at Merwin!!!

kind of like my poor boy painter poles. thumbsup