Thread: Need some help picking trolling motor and options

I left my boat down at Lake Norman Sunday evening. My wife just informed me I have the remote in her car. Odds are 50/50 that for whatever reason, I'll be backing the boat into the water at the ramp and realize I didn't grab the remote when I left (it usually stays in the boat). The good news is that I have the new foot control I just got for my birthday. Again, another reason I like having both the remote and the foot control (for banks, docks, or when I'm fishing a jig vertically with both hands).
TW

Originally Posted by need2befishin

This is the reason I bought the Ultrex. Although I have learned to tight-line and troll jigs and cranks off the back since my purchase, I still love the option of the old-school foot pedal. I use the remote far more than I ever thought but there are times when the pedal application is better. Smooth as butter, instant response and I don't have to look at the direction arrow to change direction.

As for the thrust, after talking to Brian at BBG marine, I went with the 80# 24v and very glad I did. Our 16.5 foot Alumacraft had a 55# when we bought it and it pulled our boat around fine. After getting the I-pilot and learning how to troll it is nice to have enough power to troll at a lesser setting to achieve the same speed. If there is any wind or current at all the extra power is a must IMO.

I purchased the ultrex si 2 weeks ago, haven't got to use it yet I also purchased from Brian online at BBG Marine and got a great deal the only downside is I had to install myself, the install turned out great once I got the the angle right. I used a quick release that I didn't need, I thought I would need it(my mistake) there is only 1 bolt that holds the motor to the mount anyway. If you're buying local and need it installed if you're anywhere close to Cherryville NC I don't think you can beat Jason at The Great Outdoors and he will pretty much match or beat anyone's prices on a helix mega si g3n with transducer because I checked pricing through several dealers including Ebay, you may have to haggle a little with him but hard to get a better deal. I plan on being on the water tomorrow and giving mine a try. I also went with the link I thought being able to follow contour with the helix and lake master would be very helpful trolling or staying at a certain depth. Just my two cents worth, probably not worth a penny. Y'all have a good one, Mark Q

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Originally Posted by la angler

I live the eastern part of nc and fish river systems so mostly confined fishing spots so what do you guys recommend? I'm thinking that a remote would work a man to death.

conventional foot control is what I think you need

Once you get used to it it's so easy. You are not constantly mashing buttons. For example if I was to fish a 30 foot deep ridge that 59 feet long I hit record and zoom down to other end and hit end . Then I hit follow trail, set speed low and I'm done until I reach other end. Try that with a pedal with 15 MPH wind. If we hit a hot spot I hit anchor lock. It holds you in the spot or close if the wind is going nuts.
If the spot cools down you hit resume and continue fishing. I seldom am using the remote when actually fishing.
I had an old type cable steer for 25 years and loved it. But we would drift into a school of fish and by the time we got fish in boat , rerigged and ready we could have drifted
50-100 feet away. Good luck getting back in spot!
I was pretty effective using the old motorguide but this will do everything it would and a ton more.
I think either they are biased or not taken the time to learn how to use all the features.

Originally Posted by SeaRay

Once you get used to it it's so easy. You are not constantly mashing buttons. For example if I was to fish a 30 foot deep ridge that 59 feet long I hit record and zoom down to other end and hit end . Then I hit follow trail, set speed low and I'm done until I reach other end. Try that with a pedal with 15 MPH wind. If we hit a hot spot I hit anchor lock. It holds you in the spot or close if the wind is going nuts.
If the spot cools down you hit resume and continue fishing. I seldom am using the remote when actually fishing.
I had an old type cable steer for 25 years and loved it. But we would drift into a school of fish and by the time we got fish in boat , rerigged and ready we could have drifted
50-100 feet away. Good luck getting back in spot!
I was pretty effective using the old motorguide but this will do everything it would and a ton more.
I think either they are biased or not taken the time to learn how to use all the features.

Just to be clear, my Ultrex does everything you described AND allows me to go old-school and use the foot control if I want to. Best of both worlds.

Good deal. I'm not familiar with all the improvements they've made. I sure like your retrieval and deploy better than mine. Mines about 10 years old but it's been flawless but I need to put the pedal in the boat. I'm on borrowed time for the remote to fail.

I have a brand new 80lb fortrex I’m taking off my new boat if you are interested

I have a brand new 80lb fortrex I’m taking off my new boat if you are interested