I’m about to do the side mount setup. I was originally very hesitant because everyone says steering sucks but I feel it would be great for fishing compared to my paddles lol
Nice simple set up man. I have a lot more stuff to deal with on my kayak. Rudder controls, outriggers, and over all weight. So I'm using 1" aluminum tube on top of some wooden blocks to clear things. Still waiting for a couple of items but can't wait to have power. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea! How/where did you get the Watersnake nylon transom bracket? It seems as though you have to either purchase the kayak mount model and then upgrade to the transom bracket--or purchase the transom mount model and then upgrade to the steering extension.
Thank you, I had both models since the original model had broken, I just transferred over the extension handle onto the transom model. I do have a new motor I’m using now that is a bit more durable and faster although it is a bit heavier as well.
Electric trolling motors are not that loud, it’s the prop making most of the noise when high up in the water column, I lower it much deeper when in deep water or lake fishing but most rivers I fish are less than a foot in some spots during the summer and fall seasons.
I would say on medium speed it would last around 4 hours of constant use, I upgraded to a 100ah lithium battery and haven’t drained it fully in one day on the river covering about 4 miles give or take and fishing 8 hours or so.
Thank you, that’s a good idea because sometimes when I go off track I can recover with my paddle rather than moving the motor. I’ll try that next time out 👍.
Thank you, the seat is the feel free gravity seat, actually it’s not so comfortable as the padding is very thin, I have been meaning to add some padding under the seat cover but the back rest is very comfortable especially when moving from spot to spot or going far distances. It’s also adjustable so you can set the height to your preference but I’ve had the nuts come loose on me and the seat collapse multiple times which was no fun haha. I just tightened the nuts down fully which locks the seat from being adjustable by hand like it is meant to be but that doesn’t bother me, I keep it in the same position.
this made me more confident in my readings, thank you! ive been fishing for 3 days straight using a little spoon, your readings helped me understand that I managed to attract 2 pike in those 3 days and both of them decided to not take the bait, it was fun seeing them run away in real time. the wave they made made my heart skip a beat hahaha
I live in Wauconda and work in Mundelein. I have been everywhere but the Northern DesPlaines. Is there alot of blockages and downed trees on it? What is a good put in/take out? Thank you
I drop in at independence grove sometimes but I live way south so usually I’m dropping in at Kingery hwy by the waste water treatment plant. There is also a boat launch there.
Thing hit hard, eh? So sick! I tried pike fishing on the fly this year and got one first cast 😂( see ‘Pike on the fly’ video). Didn’t do it again after that though.. had a 5 wt rod and it just didn’t have enough backbone to toss a weighted big ol’ pike fly. What’s a carp fly?
Yes it was but it did not matter with this motor because it locked into place automatically so if I hit something it would not tilt to absorb the impact so I would just pull it straight up to get it out of the water. I have a new bracket I made now with a bigger/faster motor.
I’m glad you’re ok man, I think if I fell in I’d probably just laugh it off, the Des plains river is slow rolling and super shallow, no real danger unless it’s running fast and high. I always wear my pdf when conditions call for it, windy days especially.
Yes, just use a voltage meter on the battery connections while using the motor, the more throttle applied the more power it draws unlike my watersnake trolling motors that always took the same amount of power regardless of the speed that I applied.
I would definitely give the Ahrex PR378 swimbait hook a try for your weedless flies. The gap between the hook point and the hook eye is a lot larger for sizes 4/0 and 6/0 compared to texas rig style weedless hooks. Just a tip! Love your fly designs a lot!
Thanks Dirk, I have tried it and the weight of the hook is what I really didn't like, also I've been having a way better hookup ratio with the treble hook, I'm going more for snag proof rather than weedless. Thanks for watching and for the input 🤘.
OK, that is good to know! I thought I would mention it, as I tie directly on this hook and manage to keep it level. But I guess for a tube fly version indeed it would make more sense to use your setup 🙂
I hit a log or maybe something else that was laying on the bottom of the river, during murky river conditions the water clarity is a couple inches if that so you have to be careful out there with the trolling motor in shallow areas.
