4-1-15 PM quick report

[M_Taylor]

Just a quick report. Went out of PC at 6 tonight. Got a new prop I was trying out and showing someone the lake so I didn't fish but about an hour around dark. Caught a keeper LM and smallie on a Keitech swimbait as well as a nice Kentucky. The smallie was on main lake and the others were on pea gravel in the back of a cove. All were caught in less than 20 ft water and the fish themselves were probably less than 10. Water temps were in the upper 50s.

I think it's an indication of what's to come. I feel like I could have caught a nice bag with the pattern I had going. Unfortunately the prop wasn't a right fit. So back to the drawing board.

[J-Doc]

Prop testing already?

(Man the irony of my comment....if only you knew)

So what you running now? Need bigger prop or smaller prop?

[M_Taylor]

Well, I'm not an analytic guy but I could tell the engine wasn't running the way it should. WOT was mid 6k RPMs. The mechanic says is should be low 5k range with a higher speed than I'm getting. Went to a larger prop and now I'm in the low 4k range and less speed than before. So I think I need to find some middle ground. Thankfully the guys have been real cool about switching out props.

[J-Doc]

Take into affect extra load when tested. You had a passenger with you. That will drop you anywhere from 200-300 rpm. But mid 6 to mid 4 is way too big of a jump.

With mid 6, was this with more than driver? Medium load on gear/fuel? What size prop (pitch). Stainless or aluminum?

Guessing you had a 17 pitch prop before?

[J-Doc]

I get 5,500 with just me but my motor peaks at 5,750 and I'm still a bit on the low side. Run a 21, need a 20. I have a 19 that puts me at 5,700 and 5,750 but I don't run it much. Add you in the boat and I drop to 5,200 or 5,350 depending on how much gear you bring with you. :-)

So extra weight will slow you down a little bit.

[M_Taylor]

Wow, I told you I'm not analytic. Lol

It's an aluminum prop. Both were. Both tested with very similar loads. I dropped 2-3mph and lost a lot in the hole shot with the bigger prop. I think the one today was a 17.

[J-Doc]

Sorry. I am. Lol!! Just hoping to help.

So if you had a 17 today, you must be running a 14 or 15 normally. So ....a 15 or 16 is worth a try.

I've been told aluminum is better on hole shot but I disagree. I've seen them slip a lot on hole shot. And they can flex at top end and cause the bow to bounce. If it does, I can help with that too. Shift weight to the back. Should solve it. If not, need a stainless prop.

We need to go fishing soon. :-). Maybe an afternoon trip ?

[M_Taylor]

I appreciate all the help I can get! I do think it was 14. Had a great hole shot but then revved up the engine too much with the original. I'm optimistic that a 15 or 16 will do the trick. I purposefully don't carry a ton of weight. After years of guiding I feel I am pretty good at getting what I need into half the space the average fisherman takes up. If I had 30 pounds more of gear tonight would I have caught double the fish? I don't think so.

[Smalls21]

have you tried using a 4-blade prop?

[M_Taylor]

Not yet. The dealer has been courteous enough to work with me on what they have so I'm hoping that we can find a fit and it doesn't cost me.

My only complaint with the boat buying process if I were forced to have one.

What would the benefits be of a 4 blade? I'm ignorant on them.