Trolling Motor advice

[Technonorb]

Putting a new trolling motor on my boat and hope to get some good advice. I bass fish and pan fish but lately troll mostly for striper so I need both foot control and remote. Something that while trolling will hold the coarse and possibly repeat the same coarse when on fish. Have always had Minkotas and had good luck so kind of partial to them but open minded. Thanks in advance Tech

[peter]

I'm on my second minn kota auto pilot since maybe 1995. Had good luck with them. I see a lot of them around. As you probably know they make one now that will hold your boat in one place. Not cheap. Mine is only foot control which I mostly use as a hand control. Might get the remote control add on this winter. I see a lot of them too. Good luck.

[Duayne]

It's hard to find one that is good for both. The Minn Kota Peter spoke of is good for striper trolling when you have either the Auto Pilot or the I Pilot, but I do not feel its good for bass\pan fishing. The reaction of the motor to the foot petal is just way too slow. I can compensate by setting the course and speed I want and trying to go foot free. But you will always need to make a major move and that motor simply can't do it fast enough. I have the IPilot and the anchor feature Peter spoke of does a good job as long as the wind\current are from a constant direction.

If I had a choice I would have two motors that I could trade out for whatever I was doing. If I had to pick one, I would pick the Minn Kota with the I Pilot as it is more of a hassle trying to troll with a conventional foot controlled motor for stripers than it is to use the Minn Kota for bass\Pan fishing.

[snapper30]

Putting a new trolling motor on my boat and hope to get some good advice. I bass fish and pan fish but lately troll mostly for striper so I need both foot control and remote. Something that while trolling will hold the coarse and possibly repeat the same coarse when on fish. Have always had Minkotas and had good luck so kind of partial to them but open minded. Thanks in advance Tech

"but lately troll mostly for striper" I knew you would convert sooner or later!

[kydog]

Minn Kota Terrova works well for both. i use it to bass fish and it is irreplacable for long lining for crappie.
The rotation is a little faster on the Terrova than the V2.
i will never go back to a cable drive.
Kydog

[Duayne]

I have a Terrova and it is a little faster than the older models. But it is still like being on hold when compared to a traditional foot control. For instance, I usually just lift the shaft out of the bracket and guide with my hand if I have to go into shore for a lure and such. There is no way of getting the head swung around fast enough using remote or foot methods.

[Technonorb]

Thanks for the great feedback guys. sounds like the perfect motor I'm looking for hasn't been built yet. I guess as long as I can stay out of snags on the bank I'm golden. lol

And yes Snapper... I consider myself converted! Thanks again Tech

[fisherman007]

I have a Terrova and it is a little faster than the older models. But it is still like being on hold when compared to a traditional foot control. For instance, I usually just lift the shaft out of the bracket and guide with my hand if I have to go into shore for a lure and such. There is no way of getting the head swung around fast enough using remote or foot methods.

I had the same issue, I designed and fabricated a forward / reverse using relays and toggle switch mounted on the foot control to reverse the motor rotation.
Of course the prop is not made to run backward, however, none the less it works. I would not operate the reverse
for a long period of time but sure helps making quick corrections when needed.
Going to shore and backing in a hurry is a good example.
fisherman007

[fisherman007]

I had the same issue, I designed and fabricated a forward / reverse using relays and toggle switch mounted on the foot control to reverse the motor rotation.
Of course the prop is not made to run backward, however, none the less it works. I would not operate the reverse
for a long period of time but sure helps making quick corrections when needed.
Going to shore and backing in a hurry is a good example.
fisherman007

I made a call to Minn Kota a couple years ago requesting to talk to a engineer with the suggestion of being able to reverse the motor rotation, I was advised that talking to one was not possible, however I could submit the idea in writing submitted on there forms. I didn't have or take the time to follow through,
Since I adapted the reverse to my Terrova, have mentioned to a authorized Minn Kota repair facility the need for a reverse, he agreed and stated that it may come available in the near future.
I still have a Motor Guide Magic Carpet 54# dual fixed motor heads that worked on the same principle as what I designed for the my Terrova.
When time permitting, I will try to post some photos of the electrical control box.

[NedFlanders]

Minn Kota Terrova works well for both. i use it to bass fish and it is irreplacable for long lining for crappie.
The rotation is a little faster on the Terrova than the V2.
i will never go back to a cable drive.
Kydog

X2

[Technonorb]

Thanks Duayne and everyone for the help.... I pilot Terrova was how I was leaning but may wait til first of the year and see if anything else comes out. T

["The Man"]

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolli...Mount/Ulterra/


Newest Minn Kota motor!