Best Trolling plate for the money in 2020. Tried, tested & reviewed

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	Ironwood Pacific Easytroller Trolling Plate	Our Favorite	Amazon
	Davis Instruments Lil Fella Trolling Plate	Premium Pick	Amazon
	Trol-a-matic Trolling Plate	Great Value	Amazon
	Davis Instruments Happy Troller		Amazon
	Davis Instruments Happy Folding Trolling Plate		Amazon

Pricing of these Trolling Plates Range Between $130-$220

Ironwood Pacific Easytroller Trolling Plate

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The Ironwood Pacific Easytroller Trolling Plate is the perfect choice for those fishermen who want increased shipping speeds. It comes in 2 sizes, Short and Standard namely, so it can be adapted to any need. Furthermore, it also comes in the optional hydrofoil fins model version that’s especially built for increased performance, easier handle and minimum fuel usage. This trolling plate features a patented spring hinge design that’s very efficient at preventing damage in case of accidental acceleration.

Made in the USA, the Ironwood Pacific Easytroller Trolling Plate is available in 2 styles: with and without fins. It can be mounted directly to the cavitation plate, on top or underneath, only a few inches in the back of the propeller. This trolling plate makes lake or offshore walleye fishing a breeze. It’s very easy to install and doesn’t require a trolling motor. When it comes to the materials from which it’s made, these are stainless-steel and marine-grade anodized aluminum. Its short version is perfect for outboard motors, whereas the Standard one also fits I/Os.

The Ironwood Pacific Easytroller Trolling Plate has a 1-year limited warranty. When used to sail at increased speeds, it should always be in the up position. The down position is for when the boat on which it’s installed gets transported on a trailer.

Pros

• Fuel economy
• Easy to install
• Fast shipping
• Great performance
• Great design
• Mounts directly
• Improved handling
• 1-year warranty
• Affordable price
• Stainless-steel and marine-grade anodized aluminum

Cons

• Not suitable for Volvo Penta drives
• Bends easily
• Low-quality bolts

Davis Instruments Lil Fella Trolling Plate

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Weighing 2.6 pounds (45 kg), made from high-quality polycarbonate and featuring stainless-steel hardware, the Davis Instruments Lil Fella Trolling plate is lightweight and very durable. Polycarbonate is sure to never rust or corrode, not to mention it’s very easy to clean and doesn’t get easily scratched. This trolling plate can be used in both fresh and saltwater so whether you’re fishing off a small inland fishing kayak or a 35′ sea fishing boat, this is the perfect fit. Without any straining, it’s capable of slowing the boat down to as low as 0.5 mph (0.8 km/h), yet it’s designed for outboards up to 25 hp only.

When trolling, the Davis Instruments Lil Fella Trolling Plate locks in the down position, whereas when cruising, it does the same in the up position. This troller gets installed in under 15 minutes provided the installation instructions are carefully followed. It comes with mounting hardware and can be operated even by those who don’t have any sailing or boat fishing experience. What’s also great about this trolling plate is that it can be used for any kind of boating activity, from diving to fishing and snorkeling.

The Davis Instruments Lil Fella Trolling Plate comes with a 1-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty becomes void in case of improper installation or abuse. The troller is available in only 1 size and measures 15” x 9” x 4” (38.1 cm x 22.8 cm x 10.1 cm).

Pros

• Doesn’t rust
• Strong
• Durable
• Easy to clean
• Easy to install
• Low maintenance
• Salty and freshwater
• Great speed
• Trusted brand
• Stable

Cons

• Not easy to reverse
• Only for small boats
• Expensive

Trol-a-matic Trolling Plate

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The Trol-A-Matic Trolling Plate has a great design that makes its rapid installation and immediate use possible. It comes in the down position and doesn’t need any mounting adjustment whatsoever. What makes it very performant is the fact that it’s completely automatic, which means it lifts on its own as soon as the boat starts to move. When the craft is no longer in motion, it immediately falls back into its idle position. All this means there’s no need for human intervention in order for this troller to function as it’s supposed to.

When it comes to the trolling speeds under which the Trol-A-Matic Trolling Plate can’t make the boat go, these are 4 mph (6.4 km/h) with the main engine and 2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the electric one. As far as construction goes, this unit has parts made from glass-filled nylon and comes with stainless-steel hardware. The glass-filled nylon ensures stiffness, low abrasive wear and resistance to extreme temperatures. More than this, it’s resistant to rust and corrosion.

The Trol-A-Matic Trolling Plate is not compatible with Volvo and dual-propelled motors. It gets mounted to the bottom of the cavitation plate and doesn’t lock into a fully horizontal position. The motors on which it should be mounted must be 50 hp or higher.

Pros

• Durable
• Easy to install
• Great speed
• Resistant to rust and corrosion
• Excellent performance
• Fully automatic
• Stable
• Fuel efficiency
• No loss in control in either direction
• Improved handling

Cons

• Trolling only, no reverse
• Can’t be adjusted
• Makes turns difficult to control

Davis Instruments Happy Troller

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The Davis Instruments Happy Troller is a perfect choice when it comes to the finest control of the trolling speed. This is because it gets mounted on the anti-cavitation. When in a down position, it drastically reduces speed, whereas in the up position, it becomes the best stabilizer. The middle position is for increased flexibility. Furthermore, this troller can be used for all kinds of boating activities, also in both fresh and saltwater. It has durable trolling plates that are very helpful when having to control the boat in very difficult conditions, such as in strong wind.

As far as design goes, the Davis Instruments Happy Troller is not at all complicated. Made from heavy gauge aluminum and stainless-steel, it can last for a lifetime if correctly installed and not abused. It works with 20 to 50 hp engines, depending on its size, and it’s very sturdy. What’s also great about this trolling plate is that it’s easy to install and to operate. Besides, it weighs only 6 pounds (2.7 kg), which means it can be handled almost without any effort during installation.

The Davis Instruments Happy Troller provides a very smooth ride, even in the roughest waters. Reducing cavitation and proposing, it tremendously decreases the damage water usually does to boat propellers. Those who have a problem trolling at the right speeds in order to catch fish should definitely consider using it.  

Pros

• For both salt and freshwater
• Durable
• Reduces proposing and cavitation
• For 20 to 50 hp engines
• Affordable
• Good speed
• Acts as a stabilizer
• Powerful
• Efficient
• Easy to install

Cons

• May require grinding to move freely
• No pressure relief plate
• May need throttle up to be brought back up

Davis Instruments Happy Folding Trolling Plate

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The Davis Instruments Happy Folding Trolling Plate is perfect for outboards in the 20 to 50 hp range, yet it’s not large enough for those over 50 hp. When it comes to what it can do, this is allowing the finest control of the trolling speed, as it’s mounted on the anti-cavitation plate. Furthermore, it increases the boat’s stability at cruising speeds. This troller can be used in both fresh and saltwater, also for all kinds of boating activities, from swimming and fishing to scuba diving and snorkeling.

When it comes to construction, the Davis Instruments Happy Folding Trolling Plate is made from marine-grade anodized aluminum and features stainless-steel mounting hardware. This means it’s resistant to rust and corrosion, not to mention very durable. It maintains stability and ensures a smooth sail in the roughest waters because it reduces cavitation and proposing. Besides, it’s made by Davis Instruments, a company with great reputation as far as manufacturing high-quality boating instruments goes.  

The Davis Instruments Happy Folding Trolling Plate is, as its name says, a folding troller that doesn’t occupy too much space because it folds, nor does it put a lot of weight on the boat, seeing it’s only 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) heavy. In the middle position, it acts as the perfect stabilizer for the entire sailing assembly.

Pros

• Acts a stabilizer
• Good speed
• Durable
• Boosts stability
• Easy to install
• Ensures flexibility in the middle position
• Suitable for both fresh and saltwater
• Reduces proposing and cavitation
• Operates smoothly
• Uses minimal fuel

Cons

• Aluminum parts are fragile
• Easily bends
• Not very sturdy