How to Choose a Trolling Motor | What to Consider Before Buying a Trolling Motor

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Be sure to explore our website, www.thebassfishinglife.com/. Links to videos, articles, and products. Enjoy and have a great day!

[@moosemilk8956]

Hi Steve, just want your quick opinion. I really only get to bass fish 3 or 4 times a year anymore due to my young kids, so I’m trying to keep my costs at a minimum. I’ve got a 20’ aluminum seaark. I typically fish smoother water on lakes. Would I be way too underpowered with a 12 volt 55 lbs thrust? I rarely fish for more than 4 or 5 hrs as well.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@moosemilk8956 I think you would be OK with a 55lb. Especially if you are fishing smooth water without a lot of wind like you said. I got by with a 46lb on an 18ft aluminum for quite a while. I love to fish rivers and that is the main reason I upgraded mine.

[@moosemilk8956]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors good deal, I was thinking the same but always like to hear another opinion. Thanks for the content!

[@kevinmcglothlin7347]

I have the Terrova 80lb on my tin rig and hands down it’s the best. The one thing I have been battling on my lakes is wake boats. The wake and swells they produce are deep and powerful and they push me a good bit. With my trolling motor it makes it easier to control. It’s not fun dealing with them but it’s easier to control. Also I love the ability to just plug my boat in and let my on board charger do it’s thing. I have the Minn Kota precision digital charger and it has done me well. I watched my buddy hook up his batteries to a trickle charger after a day of fishing and I was like nope no thanks on that lol. I like the convenience.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The wakes throw a massive wake! That charger is so very nice. Thanks for adding this!

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

Excellent video with solid info. Just bought a Tracker V18 Targa, was gonna go with 24v 80lb thrust trolling motor but have decided to go with 36V 112lb thrust.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I think you'll be super happy. It's nice under normal conditions to only need to run 30% and have plenty of power. Congrats on the new boat!

[@BillJacksonDesign]

Another tip i would give is if you think you need a two bank charger, bu a three bank. If you think you need a 3 bank charger, buy a four bank. For instance, you run a 24 volt trolling motor and one graph, you have three batteries, but 6 months later you buy more graphs and want to run a dedicated battery for graphs etc, and you need another bank for the new battery.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks for adding this!

[@BillJacksonDesign]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors , thanks for the great videos, I appreciate your short and informative style.

[@edwardcowan7012]

I bought a 36 volt Trolling Motor for my boat the day they came out. You can’t have to much power or battery life when it comes to a Trolling Motor.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

For sure! I totally agree.

[@jeremylowery3809]

I did the same thing Steve. Not only does the batteries life last longer but so does the charge through out the day. I get twice amount of time out of my batteries since I went to the new charger

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

For sure. An investment that I am so happy with.

[@kentyler966]

Plus I see lots of boats that have underpowered main motors. That’s bad as well. The best motors are 75% of the maximum hp. listed on the transom. A 35hp. on a boat rated for 75hp. will disappoint you.

[@Glennmc7]

Will a high-thrust transom motor jack knife a 14-foot aluminum boat even if set to the slowest speed, I need the higher trust for my river fishing, but I also need a slow speed for casting and trolling in lakes I just don't want to go airborne.

[@edwinchan19590125]

Hello Steve, I have a 17' boat. Which "Minn Kota" Trolling motor you recommend(I want to replace my "MotorGuide 45 thrust @ 48" shaft")? Thanks.

[@trayvo5330]

What trolling motor would you recommend for 5 person inflatable boat?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a great question. A shorter shaft, probably the 45” would be great. I’m not sure what the overall weight capacity is on an inflatable boat. If it was fully loaded I would personally think the 80lb thrust would be the most efficient, but carrying around two batteries would be a pain. So for ease of use getting the most pound thrust 12v system you can find would be the best. You can get 24v lithium batteries that are just one battery and would allow you use the larger thrust trolling motor, but those batteries are very expensive.

[@jamesrogers4674]

Just got my first boat, it's an old aluminum 14' v hull. What's the best 12v trolling motor I should keep my eyes out for? Was considering one of the minn kota 40 or 45 lb endura max. Don't want to spend what it takes to get the fancy GPS stuff. But it would be worth spending a little extra on a motor that is more efficient on battery consumption. Mainly wanting something to troll around and have a good time with my 4 and 6 year old boys and wife, the lake next to me is restricted against gas power but others somewhat close aren't. Should I consider any features I wouldn't know about being a newbie? Have a link to a video that would talk about the evolution of trolling motors?

[@jamesrogers4674]

Noticed some motors are 12v / 24v. That something I should splurge on for future growth or just trade up when the time comes?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Congrats on the boat! You're going to have a blast with it. The Endura max is a great motor for that size of a boat. I have one for a small pond boat as well. A 12V should suffice. As far as battery consumption, the larger trolling motor will use less battery because you can run it at lower percentage of power if that makes sense. In other words, if there is some wind, a bigger motor let's say you could be satisified with how it handles at 30% power where a smaller motor you may need to crank up to 50% power. Most of the fancy features are found on the bow mount motors. I'm guessing one of those wouldn't fit on your model unless it has been modified for a bow mount. Those models have things like auto deploy, etc., but the price can get really high.

[@Rooster0529]

My son didn’t spring for the onboard cranking battery charger. It’s the only one that has given him problems in 3 years. 🙁

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I hear ya. I'm always surprised when I look at boats how many only have an onboard for the trolling motor batteries and not the cranking battery. That's the reason I try to put these before you buy vids out there to try and help someone who's in the market. Especially those who are a first time boat owner.

[@Rooster0529]

Steve Rogers Outdoors, these really help.

[@deniscastonguay5251]

I have a helix 5 fish finder with s/gps which trolling works with it

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The Ultrex should be able to work with it. Here is a link to Minn Kota's explanation of compatible units: www.humminbird.com/support/faqs/which-humminbird-models-are-compatible-built-mega-di-minn-kota-trolling-motors If your Helix does not have the Mega Imaging, the Mega DI transducer will not be able to supply it with a Mega image, but the CHIRP should still work. At least that is my understanding. I would definitely give Minn Kota a call to verify before purchasing. I know an adapter will be needed for the Helix models.

[@romeo2784]

Hi i know im a little late to this video but im looking for a transom mount electric foot controlled trolling motor i have only really found 1 thats the AQUOS Haswing do you know of any others and if so what do you recommend? Thanks

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I’m actually not sure. Let me do some digging around and I will get back to you. Probably tomorrow sometime.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have done some looking around and the Aquos that you mention seems to be the best option out there. I am not familiar with how it runs or heard much about it. I did find an on/off foot control switch by Seachoice, but that wouldn't do anything for the steering aspect.

[@Eyesofthasouth]

Thanks for the run down Steve. How about lightweight batteries for trolling? Any brand size recommendations at a decent price? Trying to cut down weight in my flat bottom. 12v 55lb thrust

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The Mighty Max and Expert Power batteries are both very lightweight. I think Amazon sells them exclusively. I have not used them so I cannot speak to their Amps per hour and how long they will last, but these are the lightest ones that I know of and super cheap. My only concern would be how long they run. The cheapest lithiums I know of are about $250, but those would last all day for sure.

[@Eyesofthasouth]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors thanks bud. I don’t mind the 250 for lithium. Which one in particular. Have a great day, tightlines

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@Eyesofthasouth I believe it is the Optima Blue

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@Eyesofthasouth sorry, the Optima Blue is an AGM not lithium. The lithiums are $499

[@agri-lifeorganicfarm2466]

To much Bla Bla at the beginning but the rest was good information.