What Trolling Motor is best for me?

How to pick the right trolling motor for you and your boat

The size of your boat is the biggest factor in choosing the right motor — from there, it’s all about the innovations and extras you want to turn it into the ultimate fishing machine.

How strong of a trolling motor do I need?

Boat weight is the most important consideration to take into account when choosing a trolling motor. A beginning rule of thumb is that you want a minimum of 2 lbs of thrust for every 100lbs. For example, if you have a 3000lb boat, fully loaded, then the calculation is (3000/100) * 2 = 60lbs of thrust.

How do I know what size trolling motor I need?

To determine the right length for your boat, measure the distance from where the shaft is mounted on the deck or the transom to the water. Then add 16" (for MotorGuide) or 20" (for Minn Kota) and select the next closest measurement.

There are two kinds of trolling motors available: a bow mount trolling motor (installed at the front of the boat), and a transom mount trolling motor (manufactured for the back). In order to install a bow mount, you must have sufficient room up front, as well as a mounting bracket or plate to affix the housing. You must also have a flat bottom platform to fish from in order to make the set-up feasible.

A transom motor simply clamps onto the stern of the boat and will work with any style of craft.

A bow-mounted motor will provide superior maneuverability and better control, allowing the angler to fish easier and more efficiently. (This increase in maneuvering ability is due to the fact that bow-mounts "pull" your boat through the water, in comparison to a transom "pushing".) If your boat is 14-foot or larger and can accommodate a bow-mount, most certainly go that route. You won't regret it.

For small boats, dinghies and canoes, a transom mount would be the best choice. These motors work great for general positioning and trolling application — exactly what they were designed for. Whatever you decide, owning any kind of trolling motor is definitely better than not.

Think of volts like engine displacement on your outboard. Volts indicate how much battery power your trolling motor requires. More is better, especially for saltwater boats prone to maneuvering in strong tides or offshore rollers. You’ll need one battery for every 12 volts in your trolling motor system. Here are some examples.

55 lbs. of thrust or less = 12 volts or one battery

68-80 lbs. of thrust = 24 volts or two batteries

101-112 lbs. of thrust = 36 volts or three batteries

That said, you will need to consider adding batteries based on the needed thrust. Keep in mind that boats designed for multiple batteries usually have mounting space available for rigging.

Freshwater Versus Saltwater

If you select a trolling motor that is freshwater, only use it in this type of water. Materials used for freshwater motors is basic due to it not needing protection from salt. Below are the three difference that make saltwater models different.

1. Specialized Material & Parts

Saltwater motors run in harsh areas, needing damage-proof shafts and motor heads. These motors use specialized marine-grade materials like corrosion-proof stainless steel, aluminum, or zinc. That’s covered in a protective powder-coating with enhanced seals near electronics. Using exhaustive research and design allow the motors to withstand harmful salinity. In turn ensuring a longer life span for your motor.

2. A Sacrificial Anode

The salinity of brackish estuary waters and oceans is very corrosive to metals. To protect crucial metals inside the motor, saltwater models use a sacrificial anode. Anytime two different metals that touch and are underwater, they create a battery. As current flows a special type of corrosion takes place, called galvanic corrosion. Leaving this area unchecked will destroy both metals.

To counteract this corrosion you add a third metal (sacrificial anode) usually zinc. Salt is a great conductor of electric current, which is why these anodes are vital. A sacrificial anode provides optimal durability for your motor for years to come.

3. Price

Since saltwater models, use higher marine-grade materials you need to expect higher prices. Although I always recommend it’s better to pay a high cost once that twice.

If you select a trolling motor that is freshwater, only use it in this type of water.