a trolling plate assembly is designed for mounting on a cavitation plate on an outboard motor so that a plate member can be suspended behind a motorized propeller to limit velocity of the boat . the trolling plate includes a base , and a plate member suspended from the base via lateral support bars . a release mechanism allows the plate to rotate to a non - trolling position when water pressure against the front face of the plate member exceeds a predetermined threshold . the release mechanism utilizes a ramp and roller structure . the ramp forms an angle relative to the plate member . the angle can be adjusted so that different amounts of force are required to cause rotation of the plate member past a trip - point toward the non - trolling position .