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You’ve probably been there—scratching your head, wondering if prop adjustments or a different set of wheels would help you catch more fish. Am I hearing a noise? Am I feeling a vibration? Why is everyone around me catching fish, and I’m not? Or vice versa.
Boats are more expensive and bigger than they used to be, and the same applies to their propellers. Consequently, having a spare set, or “fishing set,” is more challenging now. Owners want comfort and speed, which often leaves captains with prop options that cause more white water behind the boat and less maneuverability when fighting a fish. Ideally for fishing you have props that create the cleanest water behind the boat, ideal trolling speed and perfect load ranges at cruising speed, even if top speed is not ideal.
Superstition has deep roots in sport fishing, and prop opinions can be highly subject to this. For this article, we’ll deal with the facts and assume there will always be unknown, magical reasons why certain props are better than others at raising fish.
To better understand how to tackle prop adjustments, I reached out to Paul Savard at Treasure Coast Propellers, as well as prominent tournament-winning captains, including Mike Glaesner, Jason Parker and John Lagrone.
Choosing the Right Prop
The best bet is to ask around or talk to the builder about whether boats with the same match of power and length are using the same props. Try to find out if others are having better luck with another wheel. Proceed with caution, though, because there are so many differences in hull design, balance and power among different builders that you may not be making the right assumptions unless the boat you are comparing is exactly the same. Ask about the sweet spot for rpm and trolling speed, and if they see better performance whether heavy or light on fuel.
Data-Collection Tips
When it comes to getting your props tuned at a shop, communication is key, and it starts with you. What historical data do you have? The information you collect is all your prop shop has to go on. They can adjust your wheels back to factory specs, but if there’s anything that needs to be changed to better your boat’s performance, it starts with what you provide and what changes you would like to see.
If you don’t use a logbook, take video of your gauges with your phone while running at specific rpms and speeds. Then you can go back and collect the relevant information you need from the video. If you can’t run in a no-current situation, note the speed of current or try multiple directions, especially at trolling speeds. If your boat fishes better with a lot of fuel, collect data when your tanks are over half full. Make note of rpm, engine load and speed at various intervals. To do this, first use your rpm at idle as a reference point. Then add 100 rpm, and after 30 seconds of consistent rpm, make note of engine load and speed, as well as noises or vibrations. Continue this for every 100 rpm interval. Also collect the information with and without synchronizer.
Log this data after every yard visit where any running gear or bottom changes are made, when bottom and running gear are freshly cleaned (day of, preferably), when bottom and running gear are slightly dirty, when one engine is in gear, when both are in gear and at multiple rpms using trolling and low idle adjustments, and anytime running-gear changes are made, including new parts, cutlass bearings or alignments.
All this may seem tedious, but if you consistently follow this format, you will create a historical record that will help diagnose any problems.
Long-Term Performance
While not always an option, time your prop tuning when you aren’t doing any other running-gear replacement or adjustments. While running boats in my early 20s, I learned that if you make multiple modifications, you will never know what exactly caused the issue or the improvement.
What if your lucky set of wheels is old and tired, and not much adjustment or tuning can be done? Or if they are completely out of tune, but still catch fish? Keep them for tournament fishing or nearshore trips. The damage that a messed-up set of props can do to your running gear will lead to more problems down the road. You may not feel vibration or hear a difference, but the props could be doing silent damage that you will have to deal with later.
In summary, when it comes to working with professionals on tuning your props, data collection and clear communication are most important. A prop shop can’t make boats magically raise more fish. However, prop shops can help you get closer to where you feel the boat is performing as it should. Clean and well-tuned props will almost always perform better, so focus on what you can control when it’s tournament time to be ahead of the game.
