After reading "customer reviews" on several web sites, I'm really confused as to which brand of trolling motor to give over $700 of my hard earned money to. It seems that the big players...Minn Kota and Motor Guide...both have negative reviews for nearly all of their current models. Yes, I know...you can only read "so much" into reviews as some people...amazingly...don't tell the truth in their reviews.

If you were in my shoes and are needing to purchase a new trolling motor (foot controlled...no need for auto pilot) for your 18 foot bass boat, what brand, model, thrust, and shaft length would you buy?