Thread: Need a new trolling motor

No experience with one, however I'm wanting to upgrade to a Terrova with iPilot/iLink. Also wanting to upgrade electronics to one of the new Humminbird models that will link with.

no experience in trees but in open water it works great. We use it in my buddies boat walleye fishing. takes you all around the lake at the same depth. not necessary but dang its cool

you do get used to the electronic steer after awhile but for me personally i wouldn't switch from cable steer for the timber areas

Justin, were y'all using the remote or the foot controller?

The foot control is worthless in my opinion. The hand controll is very
responsive and easy to make slight adjustments. You can make point
to point controlled drifts with the non link models. I really like the
anchor lock ability. For spider rigging it would be a toss up, but for
drifting off the rear of the boat its the only way to go.

I have not gotten into spider rigging yet. I do troll for crappie and would like to have the ability to repeat a track or at least be able to troll without having to constantly keep my foot on the foot control and watch where I'm going. The spot lock is something I would love when trying to stay over a brush pile. Will have to wait on now motor and new electronics until I see what my wife's recent MVA and hospitalization is going to cost us.
Jackie

sorry to hear about your wife! hope all goes well and she gets better soon, prayers to her and you.

on spider rigging trolling motors, etc...when i got in, i got in slow and learned along the way. i didn't go out and plop down a bunch of money only to find out i would want it set up differently...i started out with 2 regular rods spinning rods, , then added the hi tek, then added a couple 12' rods, and built slowly after a lot of experience. as of now i am still only 1 rack and 4 rods. ill add another rack and rods soon...but its expensive...on trolling motors, you can get "continuous on " on most motors, but i think you will find that with the wind up and down in the same 1 minute period, , etc, you will also find yourself controlling the speed by being on and off the motor a lot. its not really a big deal and keeps you real focused. your hands are totally free. also, i use my electronics GPS to watch my speed. i am on my motor, watching my GPS, and watching my rods all at once. you are busy!

as far as repeating track, you can also do that with GPS electronics...but i don't find myself doing that often as i fish truman and my track many times is around the same stick up, depth, etc. i am constantly watching my electronics etc...now on stockton or somewhere wide open that might be different...

so just keep doing your research, asking questions , look for someone who is set up the way you want to be and it will evolve. i'm a weekender and probably learn slower than most, but this has worked will for me. i have found ill go out and buy stuff thinking its going to work one way and then end up doing something different. with electrnics, rods, dual seats if you fish with friends.family, you can easily spend thousands getting into this game...move slowly, add as you get more experience, copy people you see is the best advice i can give...but there are better on this board...

good luck!

Thanks Husker. Wife and daughter doing better. Will take a couple of months to heal from the physical wounds. The psychological wounds will linger. Appreciate the information on fishing. I fished a lot when I was young. My father passed away just as I entered college. I found myself having to not only try to complete college, but support myself and my mother. I had a long stretch of time where I was just working and taking care of family. Over the last several years I have been able to get back to my favorite hobby. Forgot how much fun it was just to sit in a boat or on the bank and not think about anything except what was on the end of my line. Don't catch as many fish as others here but I think I have just as much enjoyment.
Jackie

Minnkota all the way for me. Had a brand new motorguide 2013 75# 24 volt and basically gave it away because I didn't like it and went back to a maxxum!!!!!!