nathanhooper Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 Most of my fishing, if not almost all (99%), is trolling of some sort. As I am finding out what I like, and how I like to fish, thoughts hit my head about how to improve the 'fishability' of my boat. One of the top improvements is when I completed my center console last year. Made a huge difference. But now, with how I have my sonar setup and rod holders, I am beginning to see the need for a change in my trolling motor. I have a bow mount that has a foot control attached. Very old, but still works. The problem is that its on the tip of my boat, great for pulling where I want to go, but not so great for rod control and watching the sonar. My first thought is I would love to replace it with a newer model that can be controlled wirelessly. But I do not have the cash to drop on them at the moment. So my next thought was a transom mount one, with a little extension handle so I can control it from my console. The console sits close to the back, more so than most bass boats anyways ( I do have a small section I can stand on and fish from) so a extension handle would not be too bad. I really like this idea because it puts me into the position that is most comfortable and works great when running my outboard. But the only thing that I am unsure of is how effective a transom mount is at pushing the boat vs a bow mount pulling. Would it be a constant fight when making turns and such? Or would it be like running my outboard, just slower? Just curious if anyone has done it this way. I would leave the bow mount on for those times I do use the casting deck, and maybe one day will be rich enough to buy a fancy remote controlled unit I can use from the console anyways.
JohnF52 Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 Have you considered a small 4-stroke outboard for trolling?
Members Blueman Posted April 22, 2015 Members Posted April 22, 2015 I bought a boat that already had the minn kota terrova with the I pilot and it is awesome. If you can't afford that right now, I would suggest getting the minn kota powerdrive bow mount ($500). It has an 18' cord on the foot pedal so you could operate from the back seat. You could also add on the Copilot ($150) or I pilot ($450) in the future and have the wireless remote.
zarraspook Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 What I have done for about 10 years ( till I could aford a Xi-5 ), was -- Lock the trolling motor in the "straight" ahead position (see pics) and tilt the big motor up to where the prop was just out of the water and the scad was in the water.. ( you will need to "play" with this till you are steering the way you want and not slowing your speed.) Then I turned on the trolling motor and steered with the big motor... You can't make any "quick" turns but it has allow me to troll from the console..... All you need is an "L" bracket and a bolt and a drill and you are trolling from the console...... The good thing is slide the bracket out and you are back in the foot control mode..... "Look up OPTIMIST in the dictionary - there is a picture of a fishing boat being launched"
nathanhooper Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 Have you considered a small 4-stroke outboard for trolling? I have, but I am looking more for the quiet approach and there is not much room on the transom. I actually have one, a 4 hp sea king(I think) but just do not see putting it on. Maybe I'll sell it to fund my other approach. Looking for something to get me moving very slow for trolling live bait, and quiet.
nathanhooper Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 I bought a boat that already had the minn kota terrova with the I pilot and it is awesome. If you can't afford that right now, I would suggest getting the minn kota powerdrive bow mount ($500). It has an 18' cord on the foot pedal so you could operate from the back seat. You could also add on the Copilot ($150) or I pilot ($450) in the future and have the wireless remote. I wish, oh how I wish, I was not a titewad(or an idiot). I watch an auction site that gets "returns" from online retailers. They had a minn kota with I piolot and copilot, and the whole shebang come through. I am not sure what the max bid was on it, but I watched it go for $530. I watched another come through before that, which would have let me upgrade like you suggest, but had not really thought about the want at that point. The last fishing trip has got me really considering now. Plus I am really wanting to stay as low as possible. I see some transom mount motors going for fairly cheap and that's what prompted my question.
nathanhooper Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 What I have done for about 10 years ( till I could aford a Xi-5 ), was -- Lock the trolling motor in the "straight" ahead position (see pics) and tilt the big motor up to where the prop was just out of the water and the scad was in the water.. ( you will need to "play" with this till you are steering the way you want and not slowing your speed.) Then I turned on the trolling motor and steered with the big motor... You can't make any "quick" turns but it has allow me to troll from the console..... All you need is an "L" bracket and a bolt and a drill and you are trolling from the console...... The good thing is slide the bracket out and you are back in the foot control mode..... Problem with this approach is the maneuvering of the outboard into the right position and also the desire to be able to stop the motor without having to go all the way up front. Good idea though.
nathanhooper Posted April 22, 2015 Author Posted April 22, 2015 My only thought that what I am thinking about might not work is the whole steering of it all. If the trolling motor being on the back will steer the boat one way or another when turned then I think it would serve my purpose. But if the boat will just want to keep going forward, or drift one way or another, when the trolling motor is turned then I would rather not fight it like that.
zarraspook Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 Problem with this approach is the maneuvering of the outboard into the right position and also the desire to be able to stop the motor without having to go all the way up front. Good idea though. I used a "fog light" relay and wired it to an empty switch on the console for on/off at the console... "Look up OPTIMIST in the dictionary - there is a picture of a fishing boat being launched"
Blll Posted April 22, 2015 Posted April 22, 2015 Transom trolling motor will steer the boat just like your main motor. Works fine except the odd time when avoiding a tree or rock that can only be seen at the front and needs a fast bow move.. Being from the north, we often use transom mounts especially for trolling and backtrolling is an art itself. Biggest problem is getting a transom mount with enough power to make sense for your boat. I don't know if there is a MG 24 volt transom mount. To my knowledge MK does not have a more powerful model than 55#s.
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