Trolling Motor Selection Guide

The trolling motor is a crucial tool for bass fishing - it allows for stealthily approaches to fishing spots, and for boat positioning for casting. So making sure you have the right trolling motor for your boat is important if you want to excel out on the water! In this article, we'll cover the important things you should know when selecting a trolling motor.

Motor Brand
The two most popular trolling motor manufacturers are Minn Kota & MotorGuide, and the debate over which one is better will never be settled - it's reminiscent of the age-old Ford vs. Chevy argument, and everyone seems to have their own opinion. Each brand has their own strengths: Minn Kota motors offer more features and options, while MotorGuide motors tend to offer a little motor for the dollar.

Minn Kota offers fantastic phone technical support while MotorGuide tends to have a larger network of repair shops, especially in the South. The good news is that both companies make quality motors that you can comfortably invest in. We recommend finding a motor that fits your needs and budget best and purchasing it, regardless of brand.

Thrust
Next to brand, the issue of how powerful of a motor to purchase will likely be your biggest question. Trolling motor power is measured in pounds of thrust and generally ranges from 30 to 100 lbs. A good rule of thumb is that you need 1 lbs of thrust for every 50 lbs of boat weight. So, for a 4,000lbs boat, you'd calculate needed thrust using the following formula:

4,000 lbs Boat / 50 lbs = 80 lbs of Thrust

Make sure to consider the fully loaded weight of the boat when calculating thrust, including the weight of fuel, gear and passengers. Also, this weight is a starting point intended for "normal" fishing conditions. If you fish frequently in strong currents or high winds, you're going to want to consider a more powerful motor. Nothing is worse than getting out on the water and realizing you're stuck with an underpowered trolling motor.

Trolling motors also come in 12v, 24v or 36v versions, with the more powerful motors requiring 24v and 36v two and three battery installations. Even if you may not necessarily need one of these more powerful multi-battery motors, they are an excellent choice if you want extended run time compared to single battery 12v systems.

Mount & Control Type
Trolling motors are either mounted to the transom or bow of the boat. Transom mount motors are by far the most economical choice as they are simpler to build, are steered by hand, have fewer parts and are usually low to medium power. Bow mount motors, while more expensive, offer more precise steering, hands-free foot control and generally higher-thrust models. For serious fisherman with large boats, a bow mount trolling motor is usually the best choice.

As previously mentioned, most transom mount motors are controlled by hand and most bow mount motors are controlled using a foot pedal. Recently, bow mount accessories have sprung up that offer wireless boat control such as Minn Kota CoPilot . Minn Kota has even introduced a new accessory, Minn Kota i Pilot, that controls the boat using GPS technology! Your method of control will likely be primarily determined by what type of trolling motor you purchase, but it's good to be aware of alternative options such as wireless control.

Motor Accessories
There are a number of accessories that make your trolling motor easier to use and more convenient out on the water. You'll want to consider the following:

Trolling Motor Quick Release - If you need to remove your trolling motor frequently, or don't want to leave it on your boat when it's parked, you'll definitely want a trolling motor quick release. Just like the name implies, they allow you to quickly remove your trolling motor without having to mess with screws and bolts.

Plugs and Breakers - Most trolling motors simply have a hot and negative lead with terminal rings that connect to a battery. If you'll be removing your trolling motor frequently, or if you just want something that looks a little cleaner, you'll want to get a trolling motor plug and receptacle which can be installed on the boat to create a cleaner, outlet like system. A circuit breaker is also a good idea, and will prevent your motor from burning up if the prop is caught on an underwater object and left running.

Integrated Sonar - Many upper-end motors include an integrated sonar transducer built-in to the bottom of the motor. This offers protection for the transducer as well as a wire-free exterior as all the wiring is run to the transducer within the motor shaft.

AutoPilot - AutoPilot technology allows your motor to maintain a fixed heading over open water. This can be extremely convenient for following shorelines or heading toward a far-off point without having to constantly steer the motor.

Trolling Motor Propellers - If you do a lot of fishing in thick vegetation, you'll definitely want a weedless trolling motor prop. These specially designed propellers are designed to not get tangled in vegetation and let you fish worry-free. The Safari Minn Kota Prop series and MotorGuide's Safari and Machete line are all weedless props.

Battery Indicator - Having a motor with a built-in battery indicator provides the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing how much power you left, and reduces the likelihood of being stranded without power on the water.

Battery Charger - You'll definitely need a battery charger to replenish your batteries after a long day on the motor. You can use any 12v marine battery charger as well as a trolling motor specific Minn Kota Battery Charger.

About the Author
TrollingMotors.net specializes in Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors and accessories for Bass Fishing. They stock hundreds of motors and products, and are dedicated to helping fisherman find the right motor through education, detailed product specs and top-notch service. For more information, please visit them at TrollingMotors.net (http://www.trollingmotors.net).