Electric trolling Motors

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I am sure some of you guys use electric trolling motors on your boats.
My questions are.........

1... is there really a big difference between salt water rigs vs standard ?
I know minkota has a specail coating baked on there salt water motors but wondered if the extra cash was really worth it or not?

2... Who makes a better trolling motor and I am not looking for i pilot and all that.

Thank you
Jim

 

[spring time]

no we pretty much use kicker motors. 9.9 to 15 hp outboards for our boats

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

no we pretty much use kicker motors. 9.9 to 15 hp outboards for our boats

Spring time that is what I figured but I saw a hand full of smaller boats with Electric motors in the members pics so I took a chance.

 

[walleyes]

I run both on my boat, electric for working the shore line tossing jigs for walleye, and the 9.9 gas for trolling lures. It all depends on what you intend to do with it when it comes to electric trollers. Like I stated I don't use mine for actual trolling I use it more of a positioning tool. I drift along the shore with the breeze and just bump the motor now and again to keep me in line and maneuver the shoals. Most with a boat my size, a 20' deep V Lund Fisherman would run a 24 volt unit in my case I chose not to just because I don't need the power because I am not trolling with it. If you plan on trolling and run anything over a 17' boat I would go with a 24 volt.

I chose and like Minn Kotta mostly because they seem to be the widest spread and easiest to get parts for, even crappy tire runs them. I run the Power Drive V2 and am very happy with it. I put the removable bracket on mine so if I am on a trip that I don't plan on using it, it comes off easily and stays at home. As far as salt or fresh water, absolutely if you are going to have it around salt pay the extra money and get one that is salt water compatible,, unless you don't think its worth it and it's cheaper to replace every 5 years or so,, it's your call.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/PowerDrive-V2/

Just my thoughts on it.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

@walleyes
Thanks and yea that is what I was thinking. I ran the power drivesmostyly my self for I truly enjoyed the long cvord on the foot control.
No trolling with the electric just weorking the shore line and some structure.
This will be my first salt and fresh water set up and I want to make the right choices the first time around. lol All my salt water fishing has always been on someone elses boat.
Thank You for the input
Have a great summer oin the water - every where else too
Jim

 

[Dogbreath]

Bad Idea in salt-used to work in a place that sold electric motors and all the staff actively discouraged customers from buying one for use on the chuck no matter what manufacturers say there isn't enough power to do anything given the strength of tide, currents & wind.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Bad Idea in salt-used to work in a place that sold electric motors and all the staff actively discouraged customers from buying one for use on the chuck no matter what manufacturers say there isn't enough power to do anything given the strength of tide, currents & wind.

This is true in any place when the wind and current is up. I will use it in bays and such where it is calm and do not want to run the gas.
Keep on reeling them in
Jim

 

[Califbill]

I use a MK65 autopilot. It is old. Would like an Ipilot model. This is standard model. But composite shaft and sees both salt and fresh water use. Still works. I will use it bass fishing as a standard electric motor. But trolling lakes or bays, I lock the T-8 straight and use the electric to steer. 20' cord to pedal, so just use hands on the control and run it at about 4 on the speed control, will work for days. And I turn on the Autopilot which try's to keep you going straight. So do not have to do much with the control except for turns and if winds blows sideways. As my wife calls it. ET is handy.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I use a MK65 autopilot. It is old. Would like an Ipilot model. This is standard model. But composite shaft and sees both salt and fresh water use. Still works. I will use it bass fishing as a standard electric motor. But trolling lakes or bays, I lock the T-8 straight and use the electric to steer. 20' cord to pedal, so just use hands on the control and run it at about 4 on the speed control, will work for days. And I turn on the Autopilot which try's to keep you going straight. So do not have to do much with the control except for turns and if winds blows sideways. As my wife calls it. ET is handy.

True, true true,,,,,,,,,
One of my first times using an electric trolling motor I had placed one on the starbourd aft and one starbourd for on a canoe. A couple of 28lbs pushed thast thing nice and the cool thing was when there was two of us fishing. We could run both motors together and simply psuh the canoe off the shoreline with out moving up or down the shore just simple right back a little deeper.
Jim