Thread: Trolling motor for Longline trolling?

I definitely reccomend the I-pilot as the best for crappie fishing period! I would get the Terrova if possible it is a little easier to deploy and you can also keep the footpedal. The anchor feature is great, the cruise is awesome for controling speed and having the ability to save tracks you trolled helps too. I am no wild about the gps autopilot, but the traditional setting works flawless for longlining. Well worth the $400 if you plan to longline. The autopilots are a great way to start and you can do well with just that, but the I-pilot is so much better. My favorite feature is the cruise control on windy days. Using the auto pilot you have to watch your speed during wind gusts, but the cruise control feature maintains your speed under all conditions.

The trolling motor will compensate for a headwind slowing the boat but it does take a moment for this to happen. An example is lets say you have your boat running .9 mph and hit a real strong headwind. The boat could slow to .7 before the trolling motor kicks it's speed up (and this doesnt take long with a strong gust) and it could stay strong until you reach a speed of 1.0 mph before slowing back down. Alot of trollers I've spoke with dont like the IP and have sold theirs since buying 'em because of this and say theyre not accurate enough on a constant speed with all the variables out there (wind, current, etc). I am more than satisfied with mine as I dont really have it down to a science of exactly where my jigs are running down to the inch and at what speed the crappie want the jig to swim. I guess the bottom line is I'm not a tournament fisherman and am very happy with the numbers and size of the fish I catch without worrying as much about it as others might. I will say there's room for MinnKota to improve on some things with the I-pilot but I still think this is a very good product for trollers.

Originally Posted by LY34

Now thats pretty cool. Looks like I need to sale both my Powerdrive AP's an get me a Terrova with that I-pilot $$$ Whats a 24 volt PD AutoPilot used worth. One has newer plug were foot control plugs in. Its almost brand new #70ilb. thrust. The other has older style plug and is #65ilb 24 volt an used. Both have long shaft.

Sell old motor and use that to buy Copilot for the motor you have way cheaper

Mine stays within a tenth of a mile most of the time. If the wind gets up too bad, turn off cruise control. Still has all traditional features, I haven't heard of anyone unhappy. This product is like any other you have to learn it's application. I have tried all products out there and the I-pilot is by far the best for longlining. I hardly ever touch the remote except to turn. Without it you will definitely have to adjust for wind and current. The only time mine is slow is when I use the GPS autopilot and again I only use the traditional version, without the circle around it.

Used a buddies Co-Pilot years ago. Not for me. I like the cruise control feature of the I-Pilot. Sounds nice. If you can set it at 1mph an stay within a few tenths thats perfect. I've caught alot of good fish when slowing down or speeding up anyway.

Originally Posted by LY34

Used a buddies Co-Pilot years ago. Not for me. I like the cruise control feature of the I-Pilot. Sounds nice. If you can set it at 1mph an stay within a few tenths thats perfect. I've caught alot of good fish when slowing down or speeding up anyway.

Ditto! I've even stopped the tm blade from turning and let the speed slow down a couple tenths and started it back up and caught fish on calm days. Anything to get 'em to bite.Thumbs Up

Any Minn Kota with the I-pilot would be the best for long lining. You can set the cruise control and record a track and keep on whacking the fish and not fight the trolling motor.... Thumbs up all the way!

Terrova with Ipilot hands down. I use it for longlining and tightlining (crappie) an freelining, downlining, and pulling boards (striper). I use the gps AP and the cruise control then just sit back with my hands behind my head waiting on a pole to bow over. Almost fell asleep one day lol. The best part is you can walk all over the boat, turn your back and look away, etc. and not have to worry about the boat doing crazy things. Makes it really efficient to fish by yourself. Only trouble you run into is when you get strong gust or if the wind is blowing from variable directions. When this happens just turn of the cruise control and turn off the gps AP. Still light years beyond the old motors.