How to Choose The Right Trolling Motor

by Josh Hassell
January 21, 2022

Do you own a boat? Do you enjoy troll fishing?

If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, then this is the article for you. Today, I’m going to talk about trolling motors. Whether it’s how they work or how to choose the right one for your boat, if it has anything to do with trolling motor, this is the article for you.

Different Types of Trolling Motors

There are two different types of trolling motors and they are bow-mount motors and transom-mount motors. Before buying a trolling motor, it’s important for you to know about the two types that are available.

Bow-Mount Motors:

The bow-mount trolling motor is used when you want to control your boat in the front and in the back.

Bow mount motors are made for smaller boats, usually up to 30 feet in length.

Transom-Mount Motors:

The transom-mount trolling motor is used for the back of your boat.

They are set into the stern and help to propel your boat forward, much like the bow mount motors do in the front.

Features to Consider Before Buying a Trolling Motor

There are several features for you to consider before buying a trolling motor. They are the following:

Built-in Battery Gauge

Built-in Batteries are very important when it comes to trolling motors.

Some trolling motor boats come with an onboard battery gauge which will help you monitor the battery’s voltage, charge level and even how many amps are being discharged.

Digital Displays

The digital display panel mounted onto the trolling motor will allow you to monitor how much voltage is being pushed through, as well as what speed or RPM that you are currently using.

Self-Directional Motors

Self-directional motors are electric trolling motors that will rotate in both directions.

This is very helpful for when you accidentally hit an underwater object because the self-directional motor will help you to get back into position quickly and easily.

Trolling Motor Voltage & Batteries

When you’re choosing a trolling motor, you want to take into account the voltage. The higher voltage your trolling motor has, the more expensive it will be and usually, the faster that it will go.

A 12-volt trolling motor is the most inexpensive and easiest to run.

A 24-volt trolling motor is a medium level of voltage and it costs a little more, but you can go faster on them.

36 volts or higher is the highest amount of voltage that a trolling motor can have and it will run at its top speed on these batteries. They are the most expensive as well as the hardest to maintain.

Before you buy any type of trolling motor, make sure that you think about what size your boat is because some trolling motors need their own dedicated battery(s) while some use an onboard system or even solar power to give power to the boat’s equipment.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you go for a higher voltage the more your trolling motor will increase in weight.

If your trolling motor uses a dedicated battery, choose a deep cycle marine battery because they are made for constant draining and recharging.

Shaft Length

The shaft length varies depending on what type of boat you have. For smaller boats, the shaft length will be anywhere from 20 inches to 25 inches.

The average size is between 24 and 26 inches, while for larger boats, the standard shaft length is 30 inches or longer.

Thrust

The thrust of the trolling motor is measured in pounds. The most common size trolling motor will have about eight pounds of thrust, while bigger boats might require 14 or even 18 pounds of thrust.

Weather conditions play a factor when it comes to the amount of thrust that your trolling motor will need as well.

If you do not have enough power then working your boat through tough terrains will be very difficult.

Other things to consider when it comes to having the optimum amount of power and thrust are the size and weight of your boat. If you have a very small boat, then go with a smaller trolling motor because it will be much easier to control and maneuver through different terrains without getting stuck or damaging the propeller during use.

Will there be multiple people on the boat? And what about fishing gear? All of these you want to think about before making a purchase.

Advanced Features for Trolling Motors

There are advanced features such as the iPilot and Smart Remote Control motors. iPilot and smart remote control trolling motors are the newest models on the market.

These types of trolling motors come complete with iPads or iPhones, so you can monitor everything right there with you. All you need to do is download the app for free, hook up your phone or iPad to your trolling motor via Bluetooth and start fishing.

Different Trolling Style Motors

There are three trolling style motors: electric-steer motors, cable-steer motors, and hand control motors.

Electric-Steer Motors

Are the most used because they are easy to install and use.

They can rotate in both forward and reverse, which makes it easier for you to control your boat instead of using a rudder or other equipment that would take up more room on the boat.

Cable-Steer Motors

Allow for smooth navigation through different terrains by rotating the front end of the trolling motor shaft to turn left or right while still keeping your hands on it at all times.

The steering is done with a real-wheel system inside of each cable steer motor to ensure accurate movement every time.

Hand Control Motors

Allow you control over acceleration, deceleration, speed, direction (forward and backward) as well as stopping completely with just the push of a button.

This type of trolling motor is great for beginners because it allows them to be able to learn how to maneuver different types of boats without having any prior experience.

Final Thoughts on How to Choose The Right Trolling Motor

Trolling motors are a good idea for boats on the water. They help you move quickly. You can think about what type of boat you have and also the size and style of motor that will work best for your needs.

Trolling motors can last anywhere from six months to more than 10 years, depending on how often you use them and how good the quality was when you first bought it. If not well-maintained, these trolling motors can become very expensive quickly. Always remember to charge them before entering the water so that you don’t have any more problems in the future.

Josh Hassell

There's nothing better than going out to the lake early in the morning, and catching some fish! Like many other anglers, I find fishing to be very therapeutic. I've been fishing since I was about 10 years old, and fell in love ever since. I hope to share my expertise and knowledge with the community, and help everyone become better anglers.