electric trolling motor question

[ducklab]

I have a 16ft fiberglass boat and was wondering if an electric trolling motor will move my boat at any speed good enough to troll. I was thinking a 55lb thrust? Im looking for a cheaper way then buying a gas troller. What speed can I expect?

[carpsniperg2]

No that will move you prett good. I troll with my 55lber and it works very well. My boat is 17.5' your boat is probably a little more weight being fiberglass. I think I was trolling warts at like 3 or 4 out of 5 on the handle speed. On a really windy day or tons of current. I don't think it would work as well.

[Kola16]

If you are just fishing on a lake, you should be fine. I wouldn't take it on a river, or in the Sound.

[carpsniperg2]

Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine

[Kola16]

Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine

It would be a slow haul 

[Button Nubbs]

Shouldn't be a prob. I had a bow mount 55 and transom mount 55 on my 16'er and they pushed it at a good clip. Mine was aluminum but you shouldn't have a problem. If your worried about it step up to a 24v system. Never can have too much motor.

[h2ofowlr]

I use a 50lb thrust on my 18' boat.  It works good.  Depending on if your trolling on a lake or river will depend on what's needed.  If you have heavy current I would consider gas.  For lakes and minor trolling an electric is good.  Most bass or pan fish boats have bow mounted trolling motors, but use 1-2 batteries for the trolling motor and 1 for the main motor and have it set up to charge the batteries when the main motor is running.  Baker lake and electric trolling motor is ideal for the slow speeds required to catch the fish.  Running a river trolling, I would only use a gas trolling motor like a T8 or 9.9.  I am on my second Minn Kota for the season as the first one was missing 1-4th speed.

[carpsniperg2]

Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine

It would be a slow haul 

Depends on the water. I fished the wind with it very well.

[Kola16]

Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine

It would be a slow haul 

Depends on the water. I fished the wind with it very well.

Ya, and have fun going upwind on the way back 

[carpsniperg2]

Just think light and turn it up to 5

[Kola16]

Untill your battery dies an hour later 

[ducklab]

Thanks for the replys has anyone had and experience with those happy troll plates?

[carpsniperg2]

Untill your battery dies an hour later 

I carry 4-5

[wraithen]

Duck lab if you're talking about the ones that slow down a boat due to the lowest setting being too fast I fished once with a guy that had one. It brought his kicker motor slow enough to troll in his 18 ft canoe. 

Why does it seem so common for those minn kota's to loose a couple of speed settings? My buddy has one he bought last year and now only 4 and 5 work. 

[shoot-em-dead]

Thats just the thing with electric- dang batteries die right when the fish start biting. I prefer no noise but I sure like the ease of just adding gas if I want to stay out longer. toss up in the end

[Kola16]

Just think light 

Untill your battery dies an hour later 

I carry 4-5

2+2=6 

[huntingfool7]

A 3-1/2 hp nissan goes for about $900.  You can literally cruise circles around a similar boat with a 55# electric on it with fresh/new batteries.  If you figure the weight and cost of batteries, gas is the way to go.
Plus, batteries get weaker the longer you're out. 

[carpsniperg2]

I think he said troll Even though some guys tend to troll at a cruising speed

[Kola16]

I think he said troll Even though some guys tend to troll at a cruising speed

Ihave seen a guy trolling for small trout on opening day at a speed that I could probably wakeboard on 

[carpsniperg2]

 

[huntingfool7]

I think that a 16' fibreglass boat would troll real nice with my 3.5 nissan on it.  My little boat weighs 110#, add 350# of guy/gear and dogs and I can get 'er ripping along at 5-6 mph.  Maybe even hit seven as long as the wind and current are not conspiring against me