Effective Way To Fish With Manual Trolling Motor

[Preytorien]

I have an inflatable Sea Eagle SE-8 boat, which I'm in the process of buying a trolling motor for it.

 

I was wondering if the more experienced kayak/inflatable/pond prowler had any tips on effectively steering while you're fishing?

 

In my setup I'll be able to stand up, even move around a bit, but I didn't opt for a version that had foot control (I think Motorguide Bulldog is the only foot-control transom unit), so it'll all be hand steer.

 

Any tips or advice?

 

[Fishes in trees]

It is just one more thing to pay attention to.  Lots of guys prefer a hand control trolling motor over a foot control.  One thing, if you get your foot control trolling motor severely caught up in weeds, you got to pull it up and clean it off.  With a hand control, you can learn to switch to reverse for a few seconds and often you can make it shed the weeds.

 

Next, the wind is your friend.  You'll learn how to fish while you are drifting, using your trolling motor in short bursts to correct your drift.  This requires practice.  I know this sounds simple. but learn to steer with either hand.  Back when I had my little boat, it was almost like I could make fish bite by taking my hand off the reel and reaching down to mess with the trolling motor.

 

I assume the trolling motor will hang off the transom and not the bow.  That is a challenge to learn how to fish that way, but once you learn you'll be ok.  The advantage to a bow mount trolling motor is that it is easier to pull a chain than push it.

[Preytorien]

Great info. Thanks so much for sharing!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You can get a Big Foot trolling motor switch which gives you better control over your speed, you still need to steer manually. Motor in front and rudder in back is the best setup IMO. Check the Pelican Boat owners thread for more ideas.

[Scott F]

With that boat, I would use the trolling motor to get to the location, and use the oars for positioning. Park yourself up wind from where you want to fish, and drift with the wind. You can turn yourself by pushing or pulling on an oar to keep you facing the right direction.

[Bankbeater]

If I am fishing a tight spot I will run the motor in reverse and back into the area.  I think I have a little more control that way.

[Preytorien]

You can get a Big Foot trolling motor switch which gives you better control over your speed, you still need to steer manually. Motor in front and rudder in back is the best setup IMO. Check the Pelican Boat owners thread for more ideas.

 

I've seen these before online, I wondered what they did, and if they were any good, but a lot of people seem to give them high accolades. I may get one, they're not that expensive and address one part of the solution.

 

**************************************

 

One question though, does the foot switch cause a continuous high amperage draw that would drain the battery faster?

 

I ask because I'm getting a Minn Kota Endura Max, which claims to help give you a bit more battery life, will this pretty much negate any additional battery life the technology of the motor would give me?

 

Basically, will this make the battery draw down faster?

[WIGuide]

I've seen these before online, I wondered what they did, and if they were any good, but a lot of people seem to give them high accolades. I may get one, they're not that expensive and address one part of the solution.

 

**************************************

 

One question though, does the foot switch cause a continuous high amperage draw that would drain the battery faster?

 

I ask because I'm getting a Minn Kota Endura Max, which claims to help give you a bit more battery life, will this pretty much negate any additional battery life the technology of the motor would give me?

 

Basically, will this make the battery draw down faster?

No it's just another switch. The motor will run at whatever speed you have it set at, the switch just allows you to turn it off with your foot instead of having to turn the control with your hand. Very handy while fighting a fish.

[WIGuide]

On another note, if you can stand up and have the tm on the bow you can sometimes steer with your knee. It's what I used to do on my little boat.

[Preytorien]

No it's just another switch. The motor will run at whatever speed you have it set at, the switch just allows you to turn it off with your foot instead of having to turn the control with your hand. Very handy while fighting a fish.

 

Excellent, I was hoping you'd say that.

 

Thanks! I'll be getting one with my new motor!

[Brian6428]

On another note, if you can stand up and have the tm on the bow you can sometimes steer with your knee. It's what I used to do on my little boat.

This is what I do, too. Only issue is first gear is too fast to fish anything but cranks or spinnerbaits.

[WIGuide]

This is what I do, too. Only issue is first gear is too fast to fish anything but cranks or spinnerbaits.

What brand of TM do you have?

[Choporoz]

Knee...or hip....or ass....lol.    Cigar in one hand, rod in the other and one hip on the tiller.     As stated above, you just need to get out and find out what works for you.     I back-troll 90% of the time.  Goes slower and much better control.  Besides, if I'm steering from the back, I don't want 10 or 12 foot of boat out in front between me and the strike zone before I can get a lure in there.   Caveat - if my wife's in the front of the boat, I will mix it up half the time - go forward, and send her in for the first casts into the cover.

[Bomber7]

I've seen these before online, I wondered what they did, and if they were any good, but a lot of people seem to give them high accolades. I may get one, they're not that expensive and address one part of the solution.

 

**************************************

 

One question though, does the foot switch cause a continuous high amperage draw that would drain the battery faster?

 

I ask because I'm getting a Minn Kota Endura Max, which claims to help give you a bit more battery life, will this pretty much negate any additional battery life the technology of the motor would give me?

 

Basically, will this make the battery draw down faster?

I have one on my Sun Dolphin Sportsman - mounted it to my plywood floor and it works great. I hand steer with not that much of a problem - if it's really windy I move around a little but nothing that I can't correct.  I have my TM mounted on the bow and I also put on a extention for my TM handle - kind of puts the hand control in my lap when I'm sitting in my chair or if standing I can use my hip or leg to steer a little - the big foot switch is a big plus when doing this. 

 

I haven't noticed any change in my battery life since installing it but I haven't really checked it.