Do you spend a lot of time trolling for fish when you’re out on your fishing adventures? Trolling is a popular technique for those fishing for everything from salmon to walleye.
The concept behind trolling is simple. It involves fishermen casting fishing lines out into the water and then keeping the bait on the ends of their lines moving by either slowing reeling the lines in or, better yet, by fishing from a boat that’s moving around in the water and dragging the lines and bait behind it.
A good trolling motor makes it possible for those fishermen who take the second approach to flourish. They’re able to use an electric trolling motor to keep their boats moving around in the water without spooking any of the fish near them.
Would you like to put a trolling motor to the test to see how well it can work for you? Before you do, it’s important to go about choosing a trolling motor in the right way.
Here are five important things to consider as you choose a trolling motor.
- Which Type of Trolling Motor Do You Want?
When you start trying to decide how to choose a trolling motor, one of the first things you’re going to find is that there are two different types of trolling motors. You’ll be able to choose from:
- Bow mount trolling motor
- Transom mount trolling motor
The difference between these two types of trolling motors is obvious. Bow mount trolling motors are designed to be set up in the front of a boat, while transom mount trolling motors are designed to be positioned in the back.
If you choose a trolling motor for the front of your boat, you’re going to need to make sure that your boat has enough room in the front for it. There are many types of boats that won’t be able to accommodate bow trolling motors.
Transom mount trolling motors, meanwhile, can be used on any style of boat. They’re especially good for smaller boats and even canoes.
- What Trolling Motor Size Do You Need?
Regardless of whether you decide to go with a bow mount trolling motor or a transom mount trolling motor, it’ll be very important for you to choose a trolling motor that is the right size. You don’t want to get your boat out into the water and turn your trolling motor on only to discover that it doesn’t move your boat at all.
If you have a boat that’s only about 12 feet long or so, you can get away with a trolling motor that only delivers about 30 pounds of thrust. But if you have a boat that’s over 20 feet long, you’re going to need two or even three times that to keep your boat moving around in the water while you’re trolling for fish.
You’re also going to need the appropriate trolling motor batteries to power up your electric trolling motor. The best trolling motor in the world isn’t going to do much for you if it doesn’t have a reliable battery hooked up to it.
- How Do You Plan to Control Your Trolling Motor?
When you install a trolling motor on your boat, you’ll be able to control it in a couple of different ways. You can use either a hand control or a foot control to move your boat around in the water.
There are pros and cons of using both hand controls and foot controls to operate trolling motors. Keep them in the back of your mind when you’re shopping for trolling motors.
Hand controls will keep clutter off your boat and provide you with more room to move around. But they’ll also take your hands off your fishing rod from time to time and could prevent you from catching fish if you’re distracted for even just a few seconds.
Foot controls, on the other hand, will allow you to keep your hands on your fishing rod at all times. But they can also clutter up your boat and often have more parts in them, which could lead to the need for repairs down the line.
Oftentimes, choosing either a hand control or a foot control for a trolling motor comes down to personal preference. Go with whichever option makes you feel the most comfortable when you’re trolling for fish.
- Which Trolling Motor Brand Do You Trust?
One of the top reasons why it’s sometimes difficult for fishermen to choose a trolling motor is because there are so many brands that make them. There are dozens of options for those in search of a trolling motor at this time.
Make it your mission to do your homework on as many trolling motor brands as you can. You want to invest in a trolling motor that’s manufactured by a reputable company that has a history of producing high-quality trolling motors for serious fishermen.
Don’t be afraid to read up on the various trolling motor brands that are out there. It’ll help shed some light on which brand you should trust to provide you with a trolling motor.
- How Much Can You Afford to Spend on a Trolling Motor?
At the end of the day, you want to buy a trolling motor for your boat, but you don’t want to break the bank to do it. It’s why you should carefully consider the price you’re willing to pay for one.
You can buy a trolling motor for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Set a budget for yourself from the very beginning so that you don’t end up going into debt for the sake of trolling for fish.
Purchase the Right Trolling Motor for Your Boat Today
Buying the right trolling motor for your boat can help you transform yourself into an even better fisherman than you already are. You’ll be able to bring more fish onboard your boat when you have the best trolling motor in your back pocket.
Consider everything that we’ve talked about here when choosing a trolling motor. It’ll help you track down a trolling motor that will meet your needs in every way.
Check out the rest of our blog for more fun fishing-related articles.