Deep Cycle Batteries

[jay bird]

What batteries have you guys had luck with?

[motoman]

Ya'll-Mart Everstarts. Myself and several other buddies have used them without issue for years for trolling and starting battery.

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Also, most areas have 24 hour Wal-Marts. (Helpful night fishing one time when the white bass fishing was unbelievable. Had a battery crap out, ran to wal-mart at 2:00 a.m. and got a new one. Back on the water in no time for more action, and only lost a little fishing time!)

[TRRANGER]

I have sold parts for 15 years and the best for your money in my opinion is the gell cell Optima Battery. I have never had to come home early due to battery or starting issues. They hold charges longer are smaller and last longer than anything I have found. Other guys I work with replace trolling batteries every other year and sometimes every year. I had my last set for 3 years and they were a year old when I bought the boat, boat got stolen so I dont know how long the would have lasted. I also do not let them set idle with a low charge on lead acid but a gell cell doesn't seem affected. Just charge them slowly to get the max out of the battery. TR Timmy

[Dutch]

If you buy a Wally world battery you better check about the warranty first. In lots of stores around the country they have no warranty anymore.

That being said get 200 reserve amp batteries keep them charged up and keep the plates covered with distilled water and they will last for a good many years. I normally give mine away when they are 4 years old and buy new ones and they are still going strong.

[Sam]

I don't know if they're the best or not, but I've been running Delco Voyager batteries for many years and I've been real happy with them. Originally I got them at K Mart, but Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts carries them now. They last me 4 or 5 years, and that's a lot of fishing trips.

[fishermedic]

I love the Pro Guides from Battery Outfitters down in Golden, near Eagle Rock, or up in Joplin. I have bought three of them over the past four or five years and plan on buying more. They are very reasonably priced, and the guys at Golden are great guys. I had one of their 27 series trolling batteries that i put on my pontoon, and didn't use the boat for a year and a half after we got hit by the tornado that went through the Neosho/Granby area in 2008, and when i finally went to charge it a few months ago, it was still at 74% after leaving it set at about 90% a year and a half earlier! That's a heck of a battery in my book!

[dblades]

I've had good luck with my Pro-Guides, very good batteries for the price.

[CaptainJoe]

I've had good luck with my Pro-Guides, very good batteries for the price.

I ran Trojan Batteries and got 42 months out of these great batteries. But, they just cost too much. So, I just changed over to Pro-Guides. I hope to get at least 24 months out of these and it would be worth the changeover.

[focused fishing]

Pro guide has been my battery of choice for years. As far as making them last longer do a little maintainence and you should get 2 - 3 years out a set.

1. Check the water level and keep them full

2. Over charge with a manual charger at least once a month

3. Maintain the proper acidity level by using a hydometer.

Most batteries fail because they are maintained.

EP

[TRRANGER]

I have found that with the gell cells you only have to charge them. No acid no checking no leaking smaller with higher output longer on the water. IMO you cant get easier battery to use.Tr Timmy