Electric trollin' motors off the outboard?

[timinthegorge]

19' aluminum window boat...... My open bow is taken up with a river anchor. Anybody have their "big motor" outfitted with an electric trolling motor? Like Minn-Kota's outboard mount models? Wondering how you like 'em, and if you'd recommend them?

They're plenty spendy, but also look convenient for certain types of fishin'..... Thanks for any help, Tim :bowdown:

[Gundog]

Pacific Boat Land in Vancouver has used the Minkota mounting bracket and added a anchor nest so you can change between the bow mount troller to anchor nest just an idea.
GD

[Just Fish]

I have not used the trolling motor like you discribe.But have seen them on tv look like it would be great for trolling and you use the forward helm for steering under the top when is hot and cold thats a good thing.:) the guys on the great lakes use them alot.

[hetchy]

I haven't used them but there are boats that work shorelines in San Francisco Bay plugging for stripers that use them. They can really work tight,shallow areas without spooking the fish.

[MacEFL]

I have a Minn Kota Powerdrive on the front of my 19 footer as well as a rocking anchor. I put the nest in the center and a mounting plate a little to the side. It works great and I only have the 'Kota on when I am using it, mainly for Kokes!

[timinthegorge]

I have a Minn Kota Powerdrive on the front of my 19 footer as well as a rocking anchor. I put the nest in the center and a mounting plate a little to the side. It works great and I only have the 'Kota on when I am using it, mainly for Kokes!

That sounds interesting...... Any pics? And thanks...

[MacEFL]

I will try and get pics tomorrow.

[MacEFL]

Here is a pic of my mounting plate. The motor is a 'Kota Power Drive. You have to take the anchor off of it's nest to use the motor on my boat. I could have offset it more to not have to do that but I think this is best. It works really well trolling for Kokes and would probably work for sidedrifting as well with the optional remote. It is easier to steer in the wind when pulling versus pushing as well. I hope that this helps!

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Boat_24.JPG

[No Reservations]

I had the 24 volt minnkota on my 17 foot reinell I was very unhappy with it for a couple of reasons first if you do any serious fishing more than a few hours you will quickly run down the batteries which is really a problem if you have now way to recharge them overnight when you are on an extended fishing trip The batteries really are depleted quickly if you are fighting the wind. My second problem also was with the wind if you were trolling into the wind and got a sudden gust you dont have the burst you can get from a gas trolling motor to straighten you out I almost always left my main motor running when trolling against the wind so I could quickly straighten the boat out if needed particularly with other boats around. I would go with a gas kicker learned my lesson the hard way.
Wes