Best trolling motor and WHY?

I simply cannot make up my mind on what trolling motor to buy. I have always been a cast and retrieve fisherman. That's all going to change. I'm going to longline, push, pull, shift, slide, crank, drift, and/or whatever I have to do to consistently catch crappie.

I now have the boat that, Good Lord willing, I'll use, enjoy and own for a long time. I want to set it up right, once and use it. Buy once, cry once.

I have read about Pro Nav Angler but after posting about it and another forum member calling them and getting no response, I have to say that has turned me off to them. I'm not saying I won't buy that system, but they're not as high on my list as they once were.

I want the best working TM out there. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, just the best. I know that's somewhat personal preference but I want to know why yours is the best.

I have a Helix Mega so I figure I'll go with a MK so I can hook them together. I have never been good at running a foot controlled trolling motor, so I don't know that cable steering is a must for me, like it is for some of you. I haven't run one enough that I know what direction it's pointing by the feel of my foot.

So, your opinions please.

The new Terrova with link if your wanting to pair it with your finder.

I use a mk I-pilot with remote control. I fish a lot by myself and typically fish with 6- 8 rods so the remote hangs around my neck for easy access. I love it. IMO

Trrova all the way buddy. I've had two and they work fine. You don't need i -pilot but it is nice. My advice wait and go with someone a few time to see what works for you. Get with me Feb - March and will go.

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Thanks for the replies. Lowe, will definitely take you up on that. I couldn’t remember which model you had. I figure I’ll wind up with one of the 3 models with i Pilot link just unsure as to which one.

If You decide on a Motorguide check into the XI5 with pinpoint, I upgraded my tracker with a 24v 80# unit and its the best money I ever spent. If You like to troll its a must also if You fish alone it will make your fishing easier, My unit came with a handheld remote and wireless foot control but I rarely use the foot control.

I have the auto pilot MK motor,70 ph and it haws done well for me for 6 yrs now. I do wish I had spent the extra and gone with the I pilot

If you are old ,get an Ulterra.
If you are mid , get a Terrova. If you are young, get a paddle.

I have a 1st generation my tereova and love it.
16' wire to the foot peddle. I can sit at the tiller and run my bow mounted tm. Great when fishing with the wife or anybody else. I can run the boat from the back and we don't switch seats all day long.
I have i-pilot and love the navigation functions. Point it in a direction and go. Adjust speed or direction on the fly with remote or foot peddle. It'll will also maintain coarse in a cross wind.
Spotlock- even though I have 1st gen. It works great, especially in the wind.
I can also program a trail to follow, and repeat in either direction.
If you want to follow a contour line you need I-pilot link.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

If you are old ,get an Ulterra.
If you are mid , get a Terrova. If you are young, get a paddle.

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:Rofl Beavz

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

If you are old ,get an Ulterra.
If you are mid , get a Terrova. If you are young, get a paddle.

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get a paddle??? Not me. You invite someone to fish with you, like Billbob and Tom Sawyer him into the paddling while I fish. :Rofl

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

If you are old ,get an Ulterra.
If you are mid , get a Terrova. If you are young, get a paddle.

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when I was young I got a paddle-ing every now and then :Rofl

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

If you are old ,get an Ulterra.
If you are mid , get a Terrova. If you are young, get a paddle.

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Reckon they make an Ulterrova? I'm too old to be young and too young to be old. If I'm only mid way there, I'm gonna be an old rascal when I die. I am old enough to wake up every morning wondering which body part will hurt the most that day. LOL

On 1 boat I have a gen 1 terrova and I will say it changed the way I fish so much. I just wish it turned faster. On my new boat u have the ultrex and can't wait to use it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joe Stevenson

On 1 boat I have a gen 1 terrova and I will say it changed the way I fish so much. I just wish it turned faster. On my new boat u have the ultrex and can't wait to use it.

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I agree. The Terrova changed how I fish, for the better. Boat control is at a whole new level.

I hate spell check on smart phones!


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New Ulterra. Accurate spot lock with power deployment and stow.

Ultrex turns incredibly fast when using the pedal

The ulterra is great. With all the stuff in the front of the boat rod holders fish finder and stuff if your getting up in age or just clumsy like me it’s nice not to have to do a balancing act to lift the troller out of the water. And works great unloading the boat buy yourself


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I use Minnkota's electric motor, folks. Yet I've got a lightweight boat and I usually fish by myself... Bought one to try it out and I must say I like it.

I love my ultrex i had a I pilot and a fortrex. The ultrex is the best motor I have used. I brush fish and I troll. Spot lock is very accurate. I get the response of the cable steer for brush fishing and the remote for trolling. I pilot link is amazing for fishing ledges and creeks if you link to a bird.

Thanks for all the replies. Keep em coming. I will be purchasing one of the iPilot link motors shortly after the first of the year.

I got a MK Ulterra. It is really nice. The spot lock is nice. It takes a little getting use to. The auto deploy is worth the price. Very handy. The remote is extremely nice. Do not even get the foot controller out of its storage spot. I have it linked to my bird, but I have yet to make use of the Ipilot link part of it. It will take some real learning for me . I have a Lund impact 1875 and my trolling motor is the 24 volt 80 lb thrust. Plenty for this boat.

One that work is a good one to me.Mine has stoped working so I get a new one. I have my eyes on a Ultrex

I have an Ulterra and here are some thoughts if you are looking at one. It is the 1st generation model....the 2nd generation has much better spot lock. I have a love hate relationship with this motor. It is great for an older guy who does not want to be up on a deck pulling on a trolling motor to deploy or stow. It has been in the shop twice in 28 months. It was under warranty so I did not have to pay any out of pocket. Each time they send it back to you they include a list as to what was changed and the work done. In looking over the parts that they changed the 2 times it was sent in I looked up the cost of those parts. Two times in for repair and they replace 2000$ in parts. I have no clue what the labor charge would have been. I told my wife when it came back the 2nd time that if it failed again I would not be sending it back in....my warranty ran out in August. My theory is this. If I send it in and it is another grand or so to repair I could put that towards the newest model. Now I get my Minn Kota at a huge discount so I don’t have to put much more up to get a new one. No way would I pay that kind of money for a repair. Now it is broke again....it works but is making a horrible clicking sound moving it up and down. Now it might only be a few dollars to repair...or it could be a grand or so. But I have to send it in on my money....and if they call and tell me the cost to repair and I say no then I have to pay for shipping back. I would just as soon buy a new motor. My point is the cost to repair an Ulterra can be huge. So when the warranty goes and you get it repaired one could be out a lot of money. I will get another one.....the auto stow and deploy feature is worth it.....I have no business up on a deck pulling on a trolling motor.....but I will buy it knowing it may only be in use for 2 years. Now if local shops could repair this motor it would be nice to just drop it off and if it is too costly to repair I just drive back over and pick it up. But there are no local shops that work on them....yet. So just beware this is how it can go.


Regards


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