Looking for info from fellas that have put on trolling motors or kickers on their sport jons, extreme shallows. I am looking at putting one on my sj. Looking at either a trolling motor on my bow or a kicker mounted to swim deck. Want to use it for lake trolling and valdez silvers. Thanks for the help.
Trolling motor vrs. kicker for Sportjon/XS
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Originally posted by fk 107 View PostLooking for info from fellas that have put on trolling motors or kickers on their sport jons, extreme shallows. I am looking at putting one on my sj. Looking at either a trolling motor on my bow or a kicker mounted to swim deck. Want to use it for lake trolling and valdez silvers. Thanks for the help.Is it opening day of duck season yet
Member of Alaska Waterfowl Association
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I mounted a kicker bracked on the back on my XS for a 9.9hp. I used a plate of Al on both sides and bolted through that. Unfortunately, the transom of my boat is far too weak for the 9.9, it flexes quite a bit.
So, I picked up a 4.5hp and the flex has been reduced but still too much for me to feel comfortable running the river with it hanging off the back. So it rides in the boat until I need it.
It sure is handy to use on the lakes and back sloughs but the 4.5hp is lacking in thrust compared to the 9.9...lol....My top speed is just under 5mph on flat/calm/still water. If the wind kicks up I don't even bother with it. I doubt it would be any use in the salt.
My swim deck is only tacked on the bottom so I didn't want to use that to mount the motor, but in hindsight it may have been the better/stronger option versus the transom mount. Hopefully your SJ is a little beefier in the rear than my boat...
I have no experience with a bow mounted troller...
If you are interested in how useful a kicker would be I'd say go for it.------------------------------------------------
pull my finger....
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I would be curious to see pics of where they put the mount for the mudbuddy. They seem to have built the swim deck a little beefier than my sport jon.
Originally posted by skybust View PostI have a sjx coming in April I had them put a mount one on the swim deck and I plan on using my 6 hourse mud buddy on it for pike fishing and if that doesnt work as good as I hope Im going to look at a front mounted foot on. How do you like your sportjon and how does it do out of Valdez. Chris"One Last Cast"
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Thanks for the info...I doubt the transom is any beefier on the sj than the xs. I would like to be able to have a mount on the swim deck though. I am just wondering if a kicker or trolling motor in the bow would be better.
Originally posted by tjm View PostI mounted a kicker bracked on the back on my XS for a 9.9hp. I used a plate of Al on both sides and bolted through that. Unfortunately, the transom of my boat is far too weak for the 9.9, it flexes quite a bit.
So, I picked up a 4.5hp and the flex has been reduced but still too much for me to feel comfortable running the river with it hanging off the back. So it rides in the boat until I need it.
It sure is handy to use on the lakes and back sloughs but the 4.5hp is lacking in thrust compared to the 9.9...lol....My top speed is just under 5mph on flat/calm/still water. If the wind kicks up I don't even bother with it. I doubt it would be any use in the salt.
My swim deck is only tacked on the bottom so I didn't want to use that to mount the motor, but in hindsight it may have been the better/stronger option versus the transom mount. Hopefully your SJ is a little beefier in the rear than my boat...
I have no experience with a bow mounted troller...
If you are interested in how useful a kicker would be I'd say go for it."One Last Cast"
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Originally posted by fk 107 View PostI am just wondering if a kicker or trolling motor in the bow would be better.------------------------------------------------
pull my finger....
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Originally posted by fk 107 View PostI would be curious to see pics of where they put the mount for the mudbuddy. They seem to have built the swim deck a little beefier than my sport jon.Is it opening day of duck season yet
Member of Alaska Waterfowl Association
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I havent had it out in valdez yet. I bought an 08 last spring so have only had it one season. Water would need to be nice and would always have to be watching for it to kick up to be able to run and hide. I have heard from plenty of guys that have used them in valdez.
Originally posted by skybust View PostThey are going to put it dead center on the swim platform. How does you sj handle out in valdez"One Last Cast"
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trolling motor
Bow mounted electric is not going to get it done for silvers, I've used them for a lot of years (walleye fishing in SoDak) and actually have one on my 20' Sportsman that I use on occasion when I go pike fishing up here, most of the time I have my pot/anchor puller mounted there though. You won't be able to sustain if even get to the type of speed you need to effectively troll for silvers, and maxed out trying to keep some speed will put some serious drain on a deep cycle, even if you maintain it well. It'll do everything else you want, it's great for moving around in sloughs or lakes, working shorelines and whatnot, but I wouldn't recommend it for actual trolling. Not sure if you plan on using downriggers, pink lady's or what but your main motor will work if you are, I rarely ever troll for silvers anymore, mostly will just take breaks from 'but fishing and throw a mooch rig over the side and do that til I get tired of catching them and then go back to flatfish. I have trolled using my sportjet though and it works fine, have to stay ahead of wheel a lot more being a jet, but it's no problem. Good luck.
Cody
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That's a nice pike...I am pretty sure I recognize the river as well. Yeah, that would be one of the reasons of having a trolling motor. I have heard that trolling with the sportjet will scare away the silvers?? Who know, I will just have to get down there and figure it out. Thanks for the info."One Last Cast"
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