Need some help picking trolling motor and options

**oljd** · 04-18-2020, 05:12 PM

Howdy Y'all,

I purchased a Tracker Pro Team 175 TF in January. It has the stock Minn Kota Edge 45lb, but I want to upgrade to something with spot lock and probably a little more pep. I mostly fish crappie with a single rod or two, around docks and brush, but like to keep my options open, sometimes bass, sometimes catfish, maybe I'll learn to troll a little. I will be buying a depth finder at some point, likely Humminbird Mega DI/SI and maybe with the networking, that could be a factor for me. I believe I've got it narrowed down to Minn Kota Ulterra, Ultrex, or Terrova, but could be open to alternatives if there is good advice. Here's where y'all come in:

Ulterra, Ultrex, or Terrova? I'd like to spend less if the high end options are less useful than they seem.

Foot pedal? I've never been without and am pretty sure I want one, right? If I understand correctly, there are now electric options and the old cable type. I've never liked moving the big bulky cable around, but don't know how reliable the electric would be. Thoughts?

iPilot GPS or iPilot Link GPS? I know the Link is good for networking to the Humminbird, but I question how much I'd actually use it in the long run. Additionally, when you bump up to Link, you are required to get some of the other options that push the price up many $100's. Comments?

Built-in transducer? Given the fact that I'll likely be buying the Mega SI and/or DI, that would be nice, but is it worth it, if I have a choice?

Thrust? I'm thinking 80lb, but that requires a 24V, so an extra battery and all that comes with that. Worth it?

Any advice and experience that you've had would be very helpful.

Tight lines,
olJD

**SeaRay** · 04-18-2020, 05:33 PM

FORGET THE PEDAL! As odd as it sounds the remote is the way to go. Here's why.1. You unclutter your front deck with foot pedal gone. 2/ These are electric driven steering motors, you will go mad waiting for the motor to turn. The cable steer is lightening fast compared to the electric.
3 You'll quickly develop an art for running the motor using the remote.
4. My pedal is in a bag and hasn't been used it 7 years. Keep as backup in case the remote dies. Mine never has.
Now I'll differ with the rest of folks I guess. The 12 volt Ipilot has 55# thrust. It has more that adequate power to run boat all day. Not worth adding 3 rd battery adding, weight and less rooom, plus different charger needed.
My 2¢.

**slowhand** · 04-18-2020, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

FORGET THE PEDAL! As odd as it sounds the remote is the way to go. Here's why.1. You unclutter your front deck with foot pedal gone. 2/ These are electric driven steering motors, you will go mad waiting for the motor to turn. The cable steer is lightening fast compared to the electric.
3 You'll quickly develop an art for running the motor using the remote.
4. My pedal is in a bag and hasn't been used it 7 years. Keep as backup in case the remote dies. Mine never has.
Now I'll differ with the rest of folks I guess. The 12 volt Ipilot has 55# thrust. It has more that adequate power to run boat all day. Not worth adding 3 rd battery adding, weight and less rooom, plus different charger needed.
My 2¢.

X2. Correct on all counts.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**Skippinrocks** · 04-19-2020, 06:49 AM

Hard to throw out the foot pedal if you plan on bass fishing. Couldn’t imaging runnin a bank flipping with a remote. For crappie I agree with the other two responses. Lot of guys who do both have the terrova. Most bass guys want the ultrex.

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**oljd** · 04-19-2020, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

FORGET THE PEDAL! As odd as it sounds the remote is the way to go. Here's why.1. You unclutter your front deck with foot pedal gone. 2/ These are electric driven steering motors, you will go mad waiting for the motor to turn. The cable steer is lightening fast compared to the electric.
3 You'll quickly develop an art for running the motor using the remote.
4. My pedal is in a bag and hasn't been used it 7 years. Keep as backup in case the remote dies. Mine never has.
Now I'll differ with the rest of folks I guess. The 12 volt Ipilot has 55# thrust. It has more that adequate power to run boat all day. Not worth adding 3 rd battery adding, weight and less rooom, plus different charger needed.
My 2¢.

Thanks SeaRay. I had not considered that their would be lag with using the electric foot pedal. I definitely like the idea of cleaning up the front.

Much appreciated!

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**oljd** · 04-19-2020, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Skippinrocks

Hard to throw out the foot pedal if you plan on bass fishing. Couldn’t imaging runnin a bank flipping with a remote. For crappie I agree with the other two responses. Lot of guys who do both have the terrova. Most bass guys want the ultrex.

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I have the same concern with moving in and out of docks when crappie fishing.

Thanks for the input Skippinrocks.

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**swamprat** · 04-19-2020, 09:27 AM

If your gona bass fish much at all you NEED the foot pedal, That said Terrova foot pedal SUCKS,, and I mean REALLY SUCKS.You will spend more time looking at motor head because you have NO feedback as to the motor direction like with a true foot pedal.Go Ultrex.I crappie 99percent of the time with a Terrova,I don't use the remote or Ipilot,I use the foot pedal,Works great for how I Crappie fish.I have considered the Ipilot and remotes many times,I may one day,may not,I have enough things to do with my hands

**keith149** · 04-19-2020, 09:36 AM

I have the new Garmin Force and I love it!!! It is a beast and the quietest trolling motor I have ever owned. I Crappie fish mostly but still Bass fish to and it works great for both. The wireless foot pedal is awesome you push the pedal and the motor turns with little or no delay what I don’t like is the switch on the left side of the foot still trying to get used to that. Also comes with a waterproof remote that floats. Plenty of videos on YouTube about trolling motors I would suggest watching a few before purchasing, it was what helped me decide what to buy. Depending on your budget it my or may not be for you but it is a great trolling motor in my opinion. Hope this helps.

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**Tarheelwx** · 04-19-2020, 10:28 AM

I have the i-pilot since 2015. So many times, i had my hands full and wished I had a foot pedal. Well, my family got me one for my birthday, and it has worked great. It actually integrates pretty seamlessly with the remote. I'm glad I have both.
TW

**DHC** · 04-19-2020, 10:41 AM

I think the remote shines for trolling, but fishing around docks I think you’ll like the foot pedal. Also like was said above if you plan to bass fish at all, you’ve almost got to have a foot pedal, and the Terrova foot pedal is terrible IMO. I hate it. That leaves the Ulterra and the Ultrex, and the Ultrex has the pedal. I haven’t used the Garmin Force, but have heard great things about it too, albeit from a small sample size so far. I don’t have link so can’t speak to that, but I’d probably go non link in 80 lb 24v thrust.

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