Had a friend with a spare trolling motor laying around and offered it up for free when he heard I was looking to buy one. It’s only a 30lb thrust so not exactly sure how efficient it’ll be. However, it’s going to give me an idea of if this set up works if I wanted to get a larger thrust TM. My objective it to ATLEAST move me where I can steer with big motors and move just enough to keep boards out and straight back. I have spare batteries at home as well so for Free-thirty being the price it’s definitely worth a shot!!!
I’ll save the coin right now!!! Generally I’m only going to be using it during these winter months. Come spring and on I’ll be down line fishing, trolling u-rigs etc. But that seminar Tuesday night has given me the itch to get that slow troll on!!!
Man you have like a $70,000 Boat, Go ahead and bite the bullet and buy a $1500.00 trolling motor! If you are going to Striper fish it is pretty much a requirement!!
I absolutely understand the pain of buying a trolling motor. I fought tooth and nail trying to slow troll with big motor… pulled (2) large drift socks, trimmed motor, etc. before I bit the iPilot bullet. My success after iPilot has been very much worth the $2k investment. I have to admit that all my friends were right as well as everyone who has commented above… you are basically creating your own frustration by trying to fish without one!!
PS: you have a very sexy new boat. and I am very jealous!!
Well not to my surprise the trolling motor was dead anyways. I’m not getting a bow mount TM so only other option is motor mount ipilot. I’m not getting one of those. Not right now atleast. To each their own. And I wish this boat was $70,000 then I could’ve gotten an extra motor! Lol
You will find that pushing the boat instead of pulling it is a major pain. I had an engine mounted trolling motor on my Scout when I first started Striper fishing. Did not take long to swap it for a front mounted motor. The slightest breeze really pushes the front around when pushing from the back.
not getting too deep in your business but… I have/had a summertime party only center console. so I also didn’t want a bow mounted t/m in the way. So I installed the quick release base with an electrical plug up front. now in 5 minutes I can remove everything with only a small “hockey puck” remaining which is barely noticeable. just a thought.
Well not to my surprise the trolling motor was dead anyways. I’m not getting a bow mount TM so only other option is motor mount ipilot. I’m not getting one of those. Not right now atleast. To each their own. And I wish this boat was $70,000 then I could’ve gotten an extra motor! Lol
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2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
Be glad it was dead. Saved yourself alot of agrivation.
not getting too deep in your business but… I have/had a summertime party only center console. so I also didn’t want a bow mounted t/m in the way. So I installed the quick release base with an electrical plug up front. now in 5 minutes I can remove everything with only a small “hockey puck” remaining which is barely noticeable. just a thought.
Well Hung
Nautic Star 2000 Offshore
200 Suzuki
That’s a good idea, any more info? I need a super long shaft for my bow rise. I have a windlass mounted to the front with controls as well so there isn’t much room unless I move a good ways to either side.
Well not to my surprise the trolling motor was dead anyways. I’m not getting a bow mount TM so only other option is motor mount ipilot. I’m not getting one of those. Not right now atleast. To each their own. And I wish this boat was $70,000 then I could’ve gotten an extra motor! Lol
…
2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
Be glad it was dead. Saved yourself alot of agrivation.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Not too much. Just putting the spare battery in the boat. But I catch your drift
not getting too deep in your business but… I have/had a summertime party only center console. so I also didn’t want a bow mounted t/m in the way. So I installed the quick release base with an electrical plug up front. now in 5 minutes I can remove everything with only a small “hockey puck” remaining which is barely noticeable. just a thought.
Well Hung
Nautic Star 2000 Offshore
200 Suzuki
That’s a good idea, any more info? I need a super long shaft for my bow rise.</font id=“size4”></font id=“red”> I have a windlass mounted to the front with controls as well so there isn’t much room unless I move a good ways to either side.
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2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
See my original reply. 72" ipilot (ultera, terrova, riptide, powerdrive) 36v 115# thrust…with quick release mount.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
On a lake with ZERO wind, no waves or boat traffic, main motor perfectly straight or lifted, everything balanced in the boat, and you like doing all the driving facing backwards.
I know because I’ve had one on my 20’ bowrider for the last 15 years. Majorly aggravating- to the point I wouldn’t fish when it got windy- which seems to be every time I go.
My Ipilot Link on the front of my pontoon is 1,000 times better. Or 1,000,000 times better when you use SpotLock and Follow-the-Contour. Can you say hand’s-free, relaxing fishing?
What Murraymaker said. Really isn’t any other option if you want to bottom fish or slow troll the lake. Works great out over the reefs as well. Your guests will be happy that don’t have to hear you cussing over anchor or being able to control the boat with 8 lines out the boat. I honestly can’t even fish without one now. I’d rather just stay home.
My cousin recently, at my urging, added an Ipilot to the front of his boat. He says it’s the best money he ever spent on fishing equipment. Makes striper fishing fun and easy!! A front mounted, foot controlled motor, would be OK in certain instances, but the Ipilot is great in pretty much any conditions, especially if you are fishing by yourself.
