What type of trolling motor is better?

[pilot4net]

In your own opinion, which type of trolling motor is better, the remote steering or the hand control models. I am looking at getting a bigger trolling motor for my boat since I think the 44# thrust motorguide I have is just a little to small for my 18'6" aluminum bass boat. I am looking into a 60 or 70# unit. I also was looking at Minn Kota's autopilot system for the trolling motor. If anyone has any experience with this, let me know what you think of it. Any ideas you can give me will be appreicated. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What type of trolling motor is better?

There is one type I'd recommend staying as far from as possible -- those are the RF (call them remote or wireless) controlled models. Not only are they more expensive, but I've not seen one yet that I'd call "reliable". They are generally slower to respond to commands. Any of the corded, cable, or hand controlled are fine. I happen to be partial to MinnKota. Keep in mind that anything over 55# thrust means the motor is 24V so you'll need two 12V batteries wired in series. You will also need a good quality two-bank (24V capable) on board charger to keep them charged and you obviously need room for the two batteries. All of this adds weight.

 

[JB]

Re: What type of trolling motor is better?

I had a Minnkota AP55 on my 17' Boston Whaler, P4N.<br /><br />Required study and a lot of practice to learn how to use it for best advantage, but once I was trained to operate it effectively I loved it.<br /><br />I used it for working shorelines and structure for bass and musky, not for trolling. Winds and currents couldn't move it off the set course, so I could concentrate on fishing instead of fighting the elements.<br /><br />As far as the wireless "Co-Pilot" feature, I didn't have it but thought I would have liked it provided it worked reliably.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What type of trolling motor is better?

When fishing you have two feet (at least most of us do) that are doing nothing most of the time except supporting your body. Why not use either one to run the motor. A wireless unit (like the Co-pilot) strapped to your wrist, belt, or to the rod requires two hands to operate. One to hold the device and another to operate the keys. I'm being a little cynical here but I think you get my point. Sort of like the good old days of the first digital watches that you need to press a button to tell the time. If you had a bag of groceries in each arm you couldn't operate the watch. I know this to be a fact -- I had one of those battery eaters.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What type of trolling motor is better?

If you have a butt pad on your deck, and fish standing more than sitting, you might prefer tiller-steered. with a on/off foot pedal. I sit mostly and like the foot-control - you get used to using it with either foot, standing or sitting.

 

[Boatist]

Re: What type of trolling motor is better?

I like the foot pedel control. For me took almost a year fishing every other weekend before I got where I could catch fish at my normal rate while running the trolling motor. In the beginning I would be looking which direction the trolling motor was pointing and the position of the boat instead of thinking about making cast or weather a bass was hanging on my plastics. My friend and boat owner would run the motor most of the time and I would take over when he needed to retie or land a fish. Then one day he was so sick that he did not fish all morning but did not want to go home so I had to run the motor all day. From then on caught just as many fish while running the motor as not maybe even more as could postition boat right where I wanted it.<br /><br />I would get the auto pilot for that time when you have someone not ready to run the motor while you re rig or are fishing alone. In some cases just to take a little break. Also would be helpful when working a shore line just trying to find fish.<br /><br />My friend fished the entire tournament serries in Nothern California and won two events one of which I was part of. A lot of work and not much fun but good memories. I much prefer to fun fish.