Trolling Plates

Anyone have any experence with Cabela's "Hydro Troll".  It appears to be a combination Hydrofoil and Trolling Plate.  It is made of high density plastic but has sheer pins so when you forget to pull it up  it won't break the plate, just the pins.  Any comments are apprecitated. 
 
I was also looking at the Water Spike Anchoring system?  Any one useing them here?  I have a 19ft boat and will be using it primarily on Lake Erie (hopefully getting my perch jerk ON!!!).
 
Thanks in Advance,
 
Don

Thanks CB.  I've never thought of or heard of people putting a couple bags off the stern.  Do they ever get in the way landing fish?  That seems like it could be a problem. 

Sometimes one bag used on the side of the boat taking the waves can actually help handling, but that is a tricky thing to learn and usually works on lighter boats where the wind really affects the front end.

I got one of those Happy Trollers last year for the Trophy.  Right, it was a pain...kept forgetting to release the plate...bent it about 5 times.  Anyway one of the last times it bent, the locking mechanism broke on me therefore allowing the plate to freely open when I hit the throttle.  It gave me an Idea.....I had my dad reinforce the spring to make it stronger and we left it at that.  Now the thing actually works perfect and we don't ever have to pull that stupid rope to release the plate....While at slow trolling speed, the plate stays down and deflects the turbulance enough to slow the boat and enabling us to troll at a minimum 1.8/ 2 mph.  When you hit it, the plate goes up and works as a fin.  The big dificulty I found was trying to get that Mercruiser to idle just right at that low of speed...if you know what I mean...its sometimes tough finding that exact throttle position, especially on the rougher days! 

The only other alternative, however, will be a kicker motor...4 stroke....probably Honda.

TTFO,
 
     I bought the cabela's set up, and I am not happy. 
1.  In the yard it snaps up and down with ease, but on the water had trouble with it engaging and disengaging properly.
 
2.  The pins break off with little reason to do so.
 
3.  It is plastic, and has subsequently developed a huge crack which now won't allow it to engage properly at all.
 
   In my opinion, the best set up is a small kicker engine.  Multiple benefits with this set up.  You don't load up your big engine idling all day.  It is way more fuel effiecient, which pays for the set up itself.  And if the main engine leaves you stranded, you can use the kicker to get back, albeit slowly, which is better than not moving at all.
 
HH

Get bags...Go to www.AmishOutfitters.com buy 2 of their bags and your done.
 
Mount them up so they come about halfway down the side of the boat but so they remain submerged at all times.  this way they wont get in the way of landing a fish or your spread of rods while trolling
 
2 bags are better than 1...They stable both sides of the boat and slow you down significantly!

http://amishoutfitters.com/beefybags.htm
 
http://amishoutfitters.com/buggybag.htm
 
They specifically state they used them for trolling.....I know alot of people with them...they are a good product.