I've got an older boat, a 94 Spectrum fish & ski. The trolling motor and both fish finders are going on about 10 years old at this point. Fish finders work great for showing depth and bottom features but don't have the new technology like side scanning or livescope. Trolling motor works fine, but it's all foot controls- no spot lock, GPS features, or remote.
If you could only upgrade one of these this year- a trolling motor or the fish finder, which would it be?
(I'm leaning towards the trolling motor. Spot lock or following a depth/contour seems like a game changer). I can still find humps, holes, points, fish cribs, etc w/ the fish finder as-is. Just doesn't do great at actually showing the fish themselves, which I don't feel like I totally need at this point. IDK, just looking for other perspectives on if I'm not thinking about this right.
Spot lock TM, then try to work forward facing sonar with a compatible head unit in your budget. Should be able to get a deal on Lowrance Active Target very soon, as they are introducing new technology.
SpeckledSlab thanked you for this post
Depends on the type of fishing you do. For shooting docks give me the spot lock trolling motor. I have side scan. But I don't feel handicapped if it stopped working. The trolling motor I don't want to live without
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
That trolling motor is fine to me. I would go for a good depth finder. Oh and give me foot control any day of the week over those others.
SpeckledSlab, Redge LIKED above post
Livescope . I don't use spot lock . I have my transducer on my trolling motor (foot controlled ) . It works great fishing cover
or chasing open water fish .
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Takeum Jigs
I would get the Livescope/sonar first.I had a very basic trolling motors for years and it worked well for how I normally fish.Now that I got an Ultrex with all the extra features,I find I still use it the same as my basic motor most of the time.
GrumpyLoomis, Jimmyjigs LIKED above post
I'm in about the same boat. My depth finders are older as is my trolling motor, the trolling motor probably has less than 15 hours on it though. I do have side and down imaging that I'm content with. My next move will forward looking sonar, the decision now is Lowrance or Garmin and what unit to run it.