Trolling Motors

[Badbagger]

So who uses a trolling motor, what do you use and are you using a tiller or foot pedal operated? I've run both and going to be looking for another in the coming months and trying to decide which way to go....

[MarkM]

I do. Minn Kota, 12V, 55lb., bow mount, variable speed, hand control. Use it just about every time I use my 1860 G3.

[CSMarine]

Most any answers would depend on what kind of boat your using. As for me, I wouldn't get caught out on the flats without my trolling motor. I use it for ease of controlling the boat at the ramp when launching or taking the boat out. It especially comes in handy when there is a large crowd jocking around, waiting their turn at the ramp, and there is no place to dock your boat while waiting your turn. When fishing close around oyster bars or creeks, or working the weed line, it's a necessity. It has also saved me a couple times when my outboard went on the blink, and I needed to get back to the landing.
I am a die hard Min Kota man. Lots of reasons, like the composite shaft. I've bent enough Motor Guide stainless or aluminum shafts in my time to teach me not to buy anything but composite. The second thing is how quite the Minn Kota's are compared to Motor Guide. Another thing I like about Minn Koto is that most of them have a 45 degree tilt, and extendable tiller handle, it really helps with comfort. Minn Kota also has the "brake away" system so if you hit something while running, springs installed in the mount will absord the impact, then reset itself afterwards.
I have a Minn Kota Rip Tide RT55, with 42 inch shaft (it also comes in a 52 inch shaft). It is a 12 volt motor. Have it on an 18 foot CC. Used it for seven years, and it still works, and looks great. It's 55 pound thrust. It has the Maximizer which draws less juice from the battery, so it stays charged longer. It also has the anode for corrosion control.
I'd rather use the tiller control because I got tired of cables constantly corroding or freezing up. Dosen't matter how well you clean them, salt water seems to still get into the cable and foot control and destroy them. Stay simple and stick with the tiller control.
I also have a fifty pound thrust on my other boat that works like a champ.
My RT55 will run you about $600.00.

[tallykenjsbetterhalf]

We have a heavy boat (5500 lbs) and 27'. We had a lot of help from folks on this forum when trying to decide on a trolling motor. We went with the Minn Kota Rip Tide 100# with IPilot. We love it! Use it every trip. It has an anchor feature which is great! Highly recommend the Minn Kota.

[Badbagger]

Thanks for the great replies! I've always owned Minn Kota and will go that route again. IPilot ? Does that tie in with your GPS or ?

[tallykenjsbetterhalf]

It's made to tie in with Humminbird which uses the Navionics chip. So you can plot a route on your Humminbird and have the IPilot follow that route. We use the anchor feature all the time. Tell IPilot to anchor and it keeps the boat in position. Used it all day today fishing in about 17' for black bass. Banner black bass day! Ready for tomorrow!

[Badbagger]

Thanks, well being I'm using a Garmin with their Vision maps that won't work lol. I'll keep it simple and go the tiller route. No cables to deal with nor foot controls to trip on. Each has good and bad points.