Tips 'N Tricks 181: Minn Kota Ultrex

[@skwira000]

Hey Doug. I ended up getting the Minn Kota Terrova BT with I-Pilot Link. There is wrap around but once it pulls tight it will unwrap itself. Spot lock did this with the legacy I-Pilot Link. My prediction is next cable steer will be auto stow and deploy with power trim. Then they will have trolling motors on the front and back of the boat for ultimate boat control. Pretty soon there can be wind beyond walleye chop and won't be a problem. For now, the Terrova with I-Pilot Link BT is pretty awesome. I installed it myself on my 2017 1650 Lund Rebel XS side console. I have a Helix 9 in the front and the Helix 7 G2N on the console and they are networked.

[@absoluteblkade3]

Hey Doug, I was looking at the ultrex and wondering how you mounted the 360 imaging transducer? I currently have a fortrex that I have it mounted to and I can't see how I would mount it on the ultrex.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Humminbird is coming with a bracket.

[@crappie_adventures487]

I have a brand new ultrex right out of the box and first thing I don't like about it is once deployed the foot pedal is in constant mode and I can rarely get it to shut off without turning the speed dial to OFF! Sometimes if I tap the moob button a couple times it will shut down but by then it's usually to late and I'm into the bushes! I've only used it twice since installed Friday 10/20/2017 thanks for your feedback!

[@DougVahrenberg]

The ULTREX you have to activate the Constant On Button (Front Left Button). If it is starting automatically you need to call MinnKota because some thing is not correct. I run most of the time with Moementary switch not constant on. When Constant on comes on it will trigger a light think its the green one but would have to try next time on the water

[@timbarton5316]

AWSOME set up on your rig I love my I pilot link and Humminbird

[@DougVahrenberg]

Thank You. I've very fortunate to get to play with the new "Tools"

[@timbarton5316]

Awesome videos I have learned A ton of info

[@1hovermale]

My ultrex head isnt in line with my keel when pedal is level. Can you adjust this by loosening height adjustment knob and turning shaft left or right while pedal is level?

[@kanenfauntleroy8520]

What size shaft on the ultrex do you recommend for the 360 ultrex addition? I prefer the 45, but it appears the head needs to be higher on the ultrex because of the coiled cable and length of the shaft lock bracket.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I run 45" shaft for my shallow water fishing. Don't get off shore much and 45" satisfies my needs. It all depends on how you fish.

[@kenjr]

I use the 52 “. I fish shallow a lot but the 52 keeps my prop in the water on rough water days & river fishing. It really is a personal preference.

[@davidball1208]

Doug I'm getting ready to order my new boat and I'm getting the ultrex my question is this, I want a 12" hummingbird on the console and something on the ultrex but how would you set it up if you didn't use 360? Going to order a 1880 ranger after the first of the year and have been told a jack plate works well for mounting the down and side scan but I was thinking about having the transducer mounted in the hull. Appreciate any and all suggestions.

[@DougVahrenberg]

If you mount the transducer on jackplate it will not read when boat is onplane. So you will need to add a 2nd transducer to get 2D onlpane speed readings and the AS SI DB Y Cable.

[@frantyf]

Good video Doug!! I will wait to see the final collar to attach 360 to the Ultrex... I hope that final collar will be better that that's in your video

[@sawyer2813]

I fished a TBF regional tournament at Truman a few years ago and man was that place tough. One guy out of 96 caught a limit all three days. Enjoyed the video though getting my ultrex this week!

[@DougVahrenberg]

It can be a tough lake but makes you a better fisherman too. Conditions you for tough events and figuring out where and how to catch them

[@stephensmith9494]

Did you install yourself and if so how easy? Would you recommend dealer install instead? Looking to install in a Triton 18tx, 18ft aluminum

[@DougVahrenberg]

It's as simple and bolting on to the boat and connecting powersupply. You can dealer install or you can. Will need to calibrate the Heading Sensor but that is simple if you can make the boat turn in a circle.

[@skwira000]

One thing I am wondering, if you put this Ultrex on follow the contour, is there a possibility on the electric assist that this trolling motor turns around twice where the cable gets wrapped around? That's the only problem with I-Pilot Link and the Terrova and Ultera. If all it can do is a 380 degree turn radius, then I'm buying one very soon. I'm going to buy a Lund boat. I haven't decided yet on the Fury XL, Rebel XS, or maybe the Renegade. But if there's no wrap around problem, then this will be my trolling motor come April or March when ever the ice comes off the lake.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Follow the Contour the motor should have no wrapping or excessive turning since contour lines turn but are not in circles. Maybe you meant the Spot Lock Feature??? that has changed with the new Spot Lock with Heading Sensor. Best Accuracy in the Business and 100% improved. Plus trolling motor knows it's limits and will turn around if reaches the end. It's an amazing motor!

[@skwira000]

The way we fish is in the summer in Minnesota we are fishing black crappies on the weed edge the last hours of day light. On our lake it's 12-16 feet of water. Often times I'll want to turn around and go back. That's where there's a problem with wrap around. Also it happens when there's a sharp u-turn. Also, it doesn't help we have a pontoon boat that my dad owns. That's why I'm going to buy a brand new Lund. You're right spot lock will not wrap. But because it's a cable steer, if all it can do is turn 380 degrees even on electric assist, then this is a game changer for me.

[@skwira000]

So let me clarify. When we find a productive area where we are catching crappies, I will hit menu and reverse navigation. Then it's 50/50 if the motor will wrap. I can manually turn it around, but then I have to set it on follow the contour again.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I have not tried this with Ultrex and actually never used follow the contour in this away but next time I get on the water I will give it a test and see what it does. Let you know soon.

[@skwira000]

Otherwise, all is not lost. All a person needs is the Minn Kota engine mount and that can be used to assist in turning the boat around. According to Minn Kota you can't put these on Pontoons. When I get a boat and get it out once the ice comes off, I'm going to see if I can put the engine mount in reverse to slow the boat down and troll downwind while the bow mount is pushing forward and see if I can keep the speed at around 0.6 MPH ideal for jig trolling. I think this might be the next invention networking 2 trolling motors, one on the front and one on the back with the one on the back able to do a forward and reverse.

[@kathyhayes3730]

Why does my Ultrex for no reason beeps once and then go into reverse. For no reason it just starts backing the boat in reverse. Any ideas on this

[@carlmecum7288]

About ready to order a Ranger 198p. I have a Terrova 80# with a 45" shaft. Was looking at the Ulterra until I saw this Ultrex & believe this is the way I want to go. I'm concerned that the 45" shaft might not be long enough for rougher water but can't find anyone that might shed some light on this. Your thoughts, I believe the tin boat is going to sit higher & might be more of a problem coming out of the water. And I have to know about that 360 mount!!! Is it Ultrex specific or will it work across the Terrove-Ulterra-Ultrex line? And where can I get one??? They've been needing something like this ever since the 360 came out. Enjoy your tips, I've learned a lot from your site, keep up the good work.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Depends on height of bow. MinnKota Website has a guide for shaft length on their website. Might want to go to longer shaft by the way you are talking. Humminbird will be offering a 360 Imaging Bracket for the Ultrex. It will not work with Terrova/Ulterra...different design only Ultrex.

[@timbarton5316]

Looks like it's fairly warm there, we have -5 and 10 inches of snow here in Minnesota, waiting for icefishing, with my Humminbird

[@reddysoft]

What length shaft yo running on that Bug? I fish the Ozarks a lot - trying to decide between 45" or 52". My MG Tour 80 is 42", I believe, and I run aground A LOT in shallow water. Thx.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I run 45" but mainly prefer shallow water. Open Water or Offshore fishing the 52" is probably better for waves.

[@TheOky777]

Ok Doug got to ask, where did you get you HB 360 mount for the Ultrex ?

[@DougVahrenberg]

:) I'm Special! LOL I'm testing some ideas...but one will be available from Humminbird for the Ultrex.

[@robertdaoud6837]

man you always have great videos!! I own a 18 foot bass boat and was thinking about upgrading my fish finder or trolling motor.i currently have an older hummingbird 5in that has side imaging. but its just a very small screen and about 5 years old unit.i also have 80lb thrust motorguide trolling motor. the spot lock feature is so cool. If you had about $1000 to $1500 which would you upgrade ? i wish i could upgrade both!! and if it is the electronics which unit would you suggest? thanks for the info and great channel:)

[@DougVahrenberg]

The Ultrex is going to be above your budget but you might find a preowned Terrova that would be in that range. Look at the HELIX 9 SI or HELIX 10 SI should fit in your budget range. They are updating to new G2N Version currently and you might find previous Gen 1 units on clearance and help stretch those dollars.

[@robertdaoud6837]

thank you for the info. I might just wait for the g2n to come out and by the helix10 si if i can find it on clearance.I live in San Diego and out here are lakes are deep. lately i have been catching bass in 30 to 70 feet deep.. but you need to meter them to catch them. but would be nice to have spot lock so I can setup on them right!! I think im gonna invest in the unit 1st and save up for the trolling motor in the future..thanks again for the detailed video info you put on youtube!!

[@budbuttwipe9362]

Doug when you hit a stump what keeps you from breaking that $1000 360 transducer?

[@DougVahrenberg]

It's tough. Never had an issue and hit lots and lot of stumps over the year. Normally it hits trolling motor before 360

[@bassinsquatch8503]

Doug, How difficult is it to add an external transducer?

[@DougVahrenberg]

No different than another other cable steer motor

[@charleswhigham5074]

Doug I have a disability that makes it hard to launch my boat so im thinking about ulterra but im concerned with the foot pedal. so now im thinking ultrex. i havent heard anything about how the ulterra foot pedal please help.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I have not run the Ulterra but the pedal to my understanding is much like the Terrova Pedal

[@charleswhigham4592]

+Doug Vahrenberg thanks

[@mburke1211]

Great video Doug! I don't think I'd have large enough apples to make the trek like you did through that timber at that speed! If I did, I'd surely end up wet. Great demonstration of the Ultrex. I know you've also used the Terrova - is the new spot lock that much better than the old version? Thanks!

[@DougVahrenberg]

Spot Lock is not the same. With the New Spot Lock just released it's amazingly more accurate less than 5' most of the time in the 1' to 3' range I'm seeing. That's why I switched to MinnKota 21 Years Ago today.

[@awidman75]

Doug is the man!

[@DougVahrenberg]

Thanks for the Kind Words...Much Appreciate Super Star!

[@drewpridgen771]

Why does my ultrex keep running when I take my foot off the button pedal?

[@DougVahrenberg]

I have not heard of this. Might look at the momentary switch to make sure it is separating from the switch when released in the foot pedal. if not take it to your local ASC and they can help

[@skwira000]

Yeah now you bass fisherman have I-Pilot Link functionalities without sacrificing your cable steers. Hopefully next year Lund puts this on their boat with the Renegade with the I-Pilot Link head. Right now they are putting the Fortrex on I believe by default. I tell you it's amazing how different fishing is from your state down the Texas vs. the types of lakes up here in Minnesota. I think I may have seen some rivers like the Minnesota river with trees, but most people do not really fish trees here. But they still fish shallow water. They'll roll in about 10 feet of water and throw into the weeds and real in.

[@DougVahrenberg]

10' that's deep water for me... My buddies say that I get afraid over 6'. (Just Joking) but in all seriousness that is one of the cool things of the Ultrex...No matter where you fish from the Canada to Mexico and everywhere in-between....there is no limits with the Ultrex.

[@skwira000]

Well 10 feet is where the boat is, but they are casting in the same depth you are in. In Minnesota there's typically thick reeds where in the same area you are in all those trees. I guess in the cities you can fish that way because a lot of lakes humans take out a most of those reeds. When you get up in rural Minnesota, you typically just see a cut out path for a person's boat to get to the dock and lift so they don't get weeds around their prop.

[@warpath6717]

"I wish you could see what's under the water.... Oh, there's a stump. Minn Kota tough!" LOL!Going to upgrade to an Ultrex soon. Any ideas you can give someone that's never used iPilot or Link what they should go with? Thanks!

[@DougVahrenberg]

I did several videos with a Terrova and show many of the features and how to operate. I'm going to be working on ULTREX features and operations this year videos

[@warpath6717]

Thanks Doug! I'll check out the Terrova videos.

[@ejzabojnik834]

That Ultrex looks like an awesome piece of equipment. Speaking of equipment. WOW 5 depth finders and you fish at a high speed running the bank with a crank bait in 10ft if water or less. Why the need for 5 depth finders?

[@DougVahrenberg]

Because I fish all over the country and all types of fisheries. On the Bow I use 2 units one exclusive for 360 Imaging, the other for Mapping, iPilot Link Features & other sonar data I might want to view. 3 at the bow one is exclusive for SI the others I use Mapping on one or both if I want to look at different mapping choices or additional sonar that I want to view. Never thought I'd want more than one till I tried multiple units but it's nice have the ability to not have to change views.

[@JCASTELLUCCIOJR]

WHY HASN'T MINN KOTA implemented the POWER ON/OFF feature onto the remote????

[@DougVahrenberg]

You can turn the remote on/off but the motor needs to be turned on at the foot pedal on the ULTREX

[@JCASTELLUCCIOJR]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE!!! JOHN C.

[@MikeH0311]

That thing will literally throw you out the boat if your not paying attention to it

[@bobbybass1944]

Hey Doug , I jst bought brand new boat and had ultrex installed after a month my trolling motor will not turn on has this happen to you or anyone you know thanks

[@DougVahrenberg]

Got good power to the motor? No breaker popped? Other than that I would Call MinnKota Customer Service or better yet take it to one of the Numerous MinnKota Authorized Service Centers they can get you going quickly.

[@coach3958]

This video should have been called WATCH DOUG FISH

[@tritonruns11]

Dude, are you wearing socks with Sandals?!

[@DougVahrenberg]

Yep...it was cold! LOL

[@robertbarnes5492]

Like what you tried to do but very poor video. The only thing you showed was spot lock and that you can haul ass through trees. You didnt show how to do any of the great features of this motor (recording trails, setting weigh points and how it will go to them. didnt show jog and you dont have to be linked with a Hummingbird to do any of those

[@DougVahrenberg]

The purpose of this video was to show that the Ultrex operates like a Cable Steer Motor. It was not intended to show all the features I did some of what you asked in another video and have more coming as soon as the water thaws to complete the videos.