Tm On Stern Of Bass Boat For Electric Only Lakes

[thomas15]

We have an electric only lake close by and I've seen boats there with big outboards mounted, in the up position, fishing. I realize local or state rules can be different but in general do most people leave their big gas OB on and use either an electric or small gas OB where there are restrictions?

This might be considered a really dumb topic and I appologize if it is. I want to fish lakes that are restricted but don't want to buy a another small boat. Is it considered normal to put a TM on a bass boat transom and slowly make your way out to the place you want to fish?

[gramps50]

It might be different in Pa but in Missouri the boat can have the big motor or gas motor on the boat you just can not start it. I have an electric lake not far from me, I go there and tull around with the front mounted  TM. Makes it a little tricky to load by other than that no issues.

 

YMMV

[flyfisher]

i see it all the time here in VA.  Some of the lakes require the motor to be completely out of the water or the gas tank removed though.  

[Long Mike]

I suppose it would depend on the local rules and the conditions. I occasionally fish a near-by 1,200 acre lake that is the water supply for a local town, and is sign-posted as electric only, but it is not enforced.  I suppose the cops have better things to do, and rightfully so.  When I fish it, the big motor is tilted out of the water and I use my bow-mount TM to navigate.  Needless to say, a bow-mount TM can make getting an 18' boat back on the trailer a bit dicey, so I fish that lake only in the summer, because I know that I'm going to be doing some wading.

[Jig Man]

I recommend that you check the local rules.  The ones near  me prohibit boats with motors over their restricted limits.  You have to have a second boat or stay off them.

[Wayne P.]

I see lots of bass boats with an added transom electric motor or two on electric - only waters.

 

I do the same with mine.

 

One particular lake that is electric-only allows no boats with a gas motor on it. Electric-only there means exactly that.

[WIGuide]

It would depend on if that's the only water you fish. If you fish other lakes without horsepower restrictions, you're going to want to just use your trolling motor and fish your way to where you want and back. I don't see a need for putting an extra one on the back to be used as a motor since the one on the front does the same thing. 

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Almost all of the lakes in Maryland are electric only. Some of the more serious anglers use trolling motors made with a modified golf cart motor. 

 

In MD you can have the gas motor mounted, just not running.

[paangler13]

I'm from PA, and I haven't ever had an issue with having my big motor on. I usually take the gas tank out, but no one has ever checked it. 

 

I fish on some electric motor only tournys, and there are bass boats that mount a TM on the back. There is on small bass boat that doesn't have a big motor, just a TM in the back!

 

Jim

[Comfortably Numb]

I leave my gas motor on the back and leave it down. Tough to controle boat using the front TM if the gas moror is not down and acting as a rudder to keep you straight.

[Wayne P.]

I leave my gas motor on the back and leave it down. Tough to controle boat using the front TM if the gas moror is not down and acting as a rudder to keep you straight.

 

One of the electric-only lakes I fish: