Help w/trolling motor

A

altnt

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
10
Last year we bought a 25' Tracker Party Barge w/ 3.0L Merc. We love our boat, now when we go fishing nobody gets left behind. The only problem is I can't run slow enough to troll. I am thinking of adding a bow mount trolling motor but I don't have a clue as to the size of motor that I need. 55-70-100 lbs of thrust???? Any help would be welcome.

Thanks Al
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Help w/trolling motor

that size boat, with I/O i would want 70-100 lbs. i have Wireless WP45 on my 20 footer, and it just is enough, but not on a windy day. what ever you do, go wireless remote, i will never go back to a manual or foot control.
 
M

mike243

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
123
Re: Help w/trolling motor

for a pontoon that size i would go with 1 that mounted on the outboard,its out of the way ,i have a 18' with a 36lbs on a removeable mount that works great when theirs no wind,when the wind starts i have to troll with the wind,buy as much as you can afford as you will never reget having to much power,mike243
 
J

Jeff-in-PA

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
402
Re: Help w/trolling motor

I have a 55 lb Minn kota on my 24' Starcraft. That works pretty good except if it's windy. My previous minn kota had auto pilot which was great.

Here's another idea which is definitely "low budget" but works great. Take two 5 gallon plastic buckets and drill about fifteen 1/2" holes in the bottom. Use a piece of rope about 12'-15' long and tie to the handle and to the rear cleat on each side. Throw them off each side and troll away.

I used this method on my 18' I/O to slow me down enough to troll for spring pike in Ontario. I could get down to 2 mph with my regular high speed prop.

Jeff
 
5150abf

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Help w/trolling motor

Look into an outdrive mounted troller or as TD said 70 to a 100 but you will need 2 batteries for that, the biggest 12 volt is a 55.

Possible one of theose trolling plates that flip down over the prop.

I think I am gonna steal Jeffs idea but for a different purpose.

It seems like half the time we fish the wind and current are opposite and it makes it really hard to anchor and fish, I may try the bucket idea to hold me straight with the current.
 
A

altnt

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
10
Re: Help w/trolling motor

Thanks for the replies. I was considering the outdrive mount t/motor but on minn kota's site it said it wasn't recommended because a pontoon doesn't plane up like a normal boat, but I don't understand why this would be a problem. I also like the flapper idea, can anyone tell me if they are auto or do you have to control up and down with a cable or rope?

Thanks Again Al
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top