Trolling Speed Indicator

[honker1]

I want to get a better handle on my trolling speed this year for trolling for kokanee. Have a GPS, but thought the Luhr-Jensen trolling speed indicator would help fine tune this speed reading (lure speed) when the wind is blowing or maybe some current. My main concern is the needle jumping around if the boat is rocking, like from skiers or waves.
Does anyone have any knowledge from using these? Before I go to the trouble of drill holes in my boat, I sure would like to know how well they work or am I just wasting my time and money. Not trying to bash a product, so if you have used this you could sent me a PM.

[SlamminKokes]

Fallriverguy uses one on his boat. When i was out with him, i didnt notice the needle jumping around at all, though there wasnt many water skiers or such out on the lake that day. Seemed to work good in my opinion.

[Kokonuts]

I use mine all the time with no problems.
I have it mounted with the DR so no extra holes.
....Kokonuts

[dlm]

Not to hijack, but how does it compare with gps speed? Has anyone checked them against each other?

[deeptrout]

cabellas used to sell a little paddlewheel indicator, and I still have mine but never mounted it on my current boat because all it was really good for was surface speed, wich is different than speed at depth as you corner, go upwind, downwind, etc. What it did do is teach me a little bit about how my lures act at different speeds, and what a good speed looks like at the rod tip. Thats what you need to have, experience with the gear. after a few seasons with the paddle wheel, I quit slowing down and speeding up every time it said i was going too fast or too slow, and it sits in its box waiting for the day I sell it with a boat as a throw in deal sweetener. I would say the LUHR jensen is worth having cause it will do the same for you and won't cost near as much and you don't have to drill any holes.

[chartreuse moose]

The only true method is with a probe like a Fish Hawk or Depth Raider. You will find your gps and down speeds are totally different at the ball than on the surface. Every body of water has currents from 1 mph and above, All lakes that have dam have a higher under water current than a natural lake.

These underwater currents will effect the proper speed designed for each lure.

[FanOFishin]

This ifish post has a pretty good discussion and links to three other threads that discussed trolling speed and the use of the Luhr Speed.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ght=luhr+speed

[ricochet]

I have had one on every boat I've owned and really believe in them. I believe they all came out of Canada by Apex before Luhr J. copied them. Even fishing around bouy 12 with my downrigger hanging right off the bottom I found that if I held right at 1 mph - the other boats got silvers but we got Chinook. Looks and feels like your not moving much, but the presentation down below is great. The hardest part is to force yourself to believe and use them. Put it on - you won't be sorry.

[K sled]

Originally Posted by chartreuse moose

The only true method is with a probe like a Fish Hawk or Depth Raider. You will find your gps and down speeds are totally different at the ball than on the surface. Every body of water has currents from 1 mph and above, All lakes that have dam have a higher under water current than a natural lake.

These underwater currents will effect the proper speed designed for each lure.

I have the Cannon Speed-Temp monitor. It show temp-speed-light at dept.It's costly but well worth it. I findly gave in after 3 years of wanting one.

[Nathan Bohlmann]

Another thing in favor of the little red needle, is it does not need GPS to work.. in a lot of lakes no GPS signal is available.!

[FanOFishin]

Recently purchased a Luhr Speed Troll indicator from a fellow Ifisher and will be installing on my boat - hopefully this weekend. Will post how it works after I begin using it. From what I've read they are pretty handy to have.