Trolling Beefy Bags

[tadel001]

I bought two 36" beefy bags from Amish Outfitters for this upcoming trolling season. I did a quick test run. The bags seem very big in the water. I have a single screw. I was curious if there were any tips for using these?

[Carl]

Which transmission do you have? If its a ZF, you have a dealer right in Stevensville that can install a trolling valve. I have never tried the bags trolling, but have used one to slow the drift. Even then it would sometimes end up in the way. Where are you tying them off? How did they effect your steering? Sorry I don't have any tips for the use of them, but good luck!

[sharffj]

Get a trolling valve. Have tried searchers in past not worth the effort. Trolling valves make all the difference

[tadel001]

I trolled this past weekend (Sat and Sun) for Rockfish on the Chesapeake Bay. The trolling bags worked great. Very easy set up. Once I got the length of the lines figured out, no issues. We got several fish and they weren't in the way. The trolling bags also seem to damper the rocking of the boat caused by wake. Not that it was an issue but just another benefit.

Two 36" bags dropped me into the 2.3-2.9 kts range (tide influenced it a bit).

[Carl]

That is interesting. Where did you tie them off? The beauty of the trolling valve is you can run the rpm's up to 900 which takes a lot of the shaking and rattles out of play. If you caught a couple fish, they did the job! What area were you fishing?

[tadel001]

If you explain how to upload pictures, I will post a picture.

I tied off the front line to the mid cleat, about 3 1/2' of line to the strap loop. Then about 4' of line from the rear cleat to the rear strap loop. I used 1/2" line on the front and 3/8" line on the rear. It really worked well. I was very nervous at the beginning but after 5 minutes, I didn't pay attention to them again. I will probably troll 10 times a year. So spending the money on a trolling valve v. trying out the bags made more sense. For the cost of a trolling valve, I will get a new Garmin Echomap Chirp GPS/Sonar and the beefy bags. Figured that was a better overall fishing investment.

We fished between Bloody Point and the Bay Bridge going east west. Caught a 38" in 80' water and 33" (throw back) in 60' water. Going tomorrow night again.

[Jeremyvmd]

instuctions are on each pic below!

[chesapeake albin]

hi,

I did this too,

It has been working for me. I got 30" bags from pro bass they cost nothing compared to a trolling valve.
I think I should have gotten the larger bags I can run 2.5 to 3.5 knots depending on conditions.
I have not caught anything decent this spring. I might be going too fast still.

[chesapeake albin]

Tadell001, where are you keeping her?
Baybridge marina?

I am in the magothy?

Travis

[tadel001]

I keep the boat at Queen Anne Marina, just south of Kentmorr. I live across the street from the Marina. I will be fishing tonight, going out around 4:30 with the hopes of getting the spread in the water by 5:00 pm (high tide) and then fishing the outgoing tide.

[chesapeake albin]

What is that on the side of the pilot house, a ladder?

Where are you looking tonight? I fished in front of your marina Monday night and got nothing..

[tadel001]

Yes, a ladder to the top. It actually is great to have. I think the boat may have had a tuna stand at the top at one point. It is great with the kids (and one adult) jumping off the top into the water in the summer.

Not sure where I am going tonight. Checking with a few captains to see where they were today. I think they are moving into the rivers for spawning.