Help with GPS trolling motor

I spider rig mostly, banks in spring, almost exclusive in the LartoSaline complex.
I'm thinking about getting one of the "smart" trolling motors, but a little intimidated.
Not sure if you need a high end fish finder to go with them?
What is the learning curve for an old fogie?
I would love to have a troller that made the wind less hassle.
Love to be able to fish the brush without having back anchors.
Educate me. What has your experience uncovered?
What would you get?


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The way you fish the trolling motor you have is fine......the gps ones are better for trolling because you can record your routes and go back and tm will follow them exactly and that way you can fish instead of driving the boat.

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Dont even think about buying one if you havent fished with somebody that has one.....they are great and I love mine but they are not for everybody.

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I got the motor guide this spring. It comes with hand remote and wireless foot peddle. Took some getting used to unit beeps and has lights to tell you when it's on. I spider rig a lot and the motor drives the boat holding in wind and allowing me to fish more rods by myself and dealing with fish with out worrying about boat drifting . It also has anchor mode. So if I want to fish a lay down in current I set it to anchor and I fish out of the back of the boat. I think it is a way better system than a power pole. The best deal I found was universal mania I think it was 1,200

I'm an old fogie, and I got the Motorguide XI5 and the Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 3. I use Hummingbird equipment for all my scanning and imagining, and the Lowrance only to connect to my Motorguide. I fish mostly brush piles. All I do is touch the brush pile waypoint on the Lowrance screen and it takes me to it and anchors me on it. I can move from pile to pile and be at the back of the boat tying on new rigs, or making a sandwhich while getting there!! This weekend it held me all on them in the 15 white caps! It's a little expensive for the required set up cables and networking equipment, which aren't included in the initial purchase of the trolling motor or Lowrance. This setup is the greatest advancement in fishing technology in my lifetime, with the imaging, GPS, and mapping capabilities combined. Don't let it intimidate you. There are plenty of youtube videos on how to setup and use the equipment. The way I got comfortable with it was going to the water, without fishing poles, and experimenting with the equipment. Believe me, once you learn to use it, you will never again go to water without a pole, or this equipment!! There is also a great forum on this site, full of patient and knowledgeable guys that will help you with any problems. PM me with any questions and I'll try to help. If you live anywhere around the Shreveport/Bossier area, I would be happy to take you out so you can see how it all works!

I have a minn kota terrova with ipilot. It works great . I use the remote by hand. It hangs around your neck. The minn kota web site has videos of what it will do. It is easy to work. Good luck.