Are they required while using the electric motor?
Yup. If you are under power, and in a boat under 21' you need one until May. As for the question about catching things trolling slow, run jointed rapalas, sutton spoons, and kwikfish for other species. We do it trolling lakers on Lake Ontario and catch other species of trout and salmon fishing lakers.
Thanks for clearing and for the advice Gambler