Trolling Motors

[Feathers and Fins]

It is great for spider rigging. I swear I was in lazy mode today, I haven't had the front seat on my bow in years but today I did... Now just to find a way to mount a tv and recliner on the bow

[zarraspook]

I have been looking at the new Motor Guide Xi-5 and this is a link to the "cruise control" function... Plus the other 12 videos on the Xi-5...

The only problem I have found; cost $ 1200-1600 and almost all units are "shipped from factory" ..(+ 18-75 dollars )

[J-Doc]

After comparing prices, it makes me wonder if spot lock is worth the cost. An 80lb Terrova or Xi-5 is between $1,300-1,600 and a standard cable driven 80lb Fortrex is $800i believe. That is a big difference.

The only feature I would use is spit lock. I wouldn't record tracks, and save spits and such. The remote for occasional drift fishing would be nice foo but for the price and risk of batteries dying on pedal and remote or risk of losing connections and not syncing, I'm thinking I may go cable driven just because I would not use the full features.

My experience with the 80lb Fortrex was so good, it almost has spot lock itself. You just need to steer on occasion. It was easy to keep boat in place in 20-25mph wind and waves. Only 40% of motor power too.

[kjackson]

If you're going to use the electric for trolling, having a power-drive model is ideal, IMO, as you can be anywhere in the boat and control it--whether it's with the foot pedal or the remote. You can sit at the helm, stare at the depthfinder and steer the boat. You can sorta do that with a cable drive unit by locking it in position and steering with the outboard, using its lower unit as a rudder. It's not quite as sweet, but it will work--sorta. You would then have to move up front to adjust speeds.

I really like the idea of having the control connected to the motor as opposed to only having a remote. Remotes can be lost, left at home, dropped overboard or run out of battery.

MK has power drive units that are basic and a lot less expensive than iPilot/coPilot versions.

[J-Doc]

Good points. I have been rethinking "spot lock" and how often it would be used. After fishing the RT188 with the Fortrex 80lb MK, it's really not that necessary as the Fortrex has ample power to do essentially the same thing and can be easily controlled/adjusted as needed to ensure "spot lock" is maintained but at a substantial savings in cost.

My new boat will have the pedal mounted in the recessed trolling motor pedal well so.....the only thing I can think of is Velcro to allow temporary removal. I don't care for that really. Seems too cheap. I'll probably go with the Fortrex for my use and use the savings towards better graphs. The remote control deal is pretty neat. Something to consider. That way the pedal can be "mounted" as it's intended.

If I can get away with it, I'm getting an HDS12 at the console and HDS8 at the bow. I'll watch my graphs far more than I would ever use "spot lock".

[Mamoo]

The 12 and 8 will be awesome, tell us what boats your considering? New or used?

[J-Doc]

New Ranger RT188 alum bass.

[Ron Burgundy]

Since your in to trolling now why not go with a multispecies boat and a kicker?

[J-Doc]

Because I still like to bass fish and I want to be able to go into shallow water. A deeper V boat would not allow those options.

It is a temptation that I have wrestled with a lot. I love the idea of wearing a Captains hat, some big aviator sunglasses watching my 12" Lowrance graph in a big plush captains chair watching the rigged lines waiting for the big bite!!! !! I figure..hey if you're the captain......embrace it and enjoy it.

[Sore Thumbs]

Guys who like the manual trolling motors are going to be up front all the time. They are quicker as far as response goes. Manual is better when fighting a fish. Watch those Pros on tv. When they get a fish on they will start going backwards to help them get a fish to deeper water. Just can't do that with a remote controlled troller. Those new digitals are sweet though. You can set waypoints and it will take you yo each one. They will also stay at a set depth if you choose to. If I trolled all the time it would be the only way to go.