Trolling motor decision

[jbsoonerfan]

Okay, hear me out on this one. I purchased my boat last December and it came with a Minn Kota Terrova with the spot-lock feature. I thought this was the coolest thing ever at the time and loved it. I hated how it deployed and stowed but I figured I would get used to it. I used the spot-lock feature a LOT and assumed this would serve me well. I noticed that most of my fishing was done in shallow water so after some time I bought a set of power poles. After buying my poles I noticed I used them over my spot-lock probably 20 to 1. Most of the time I use my SL is re-tying or landing a fish. I "occasionally" use it for the heading feature, but not often. Well after some time with it and realizing I absolutely hated the way it stowed and deployed, I am ready for a change. I have 2 options at the moment. Sell my Terrova nd replace with an Ultrex or just buy a Fortrex and sell my Terrova if I end up not liking the Fortrex. I know most will suggest to just go with the Ultrex but at almost twice the cost of the Fortrex I am just not sure I use the features enough. I know it's best to have it and not need it as opposed to need it and not have it. I also realize there are thousands of boats out there without spot-lock and they are doing just fine. I respect you guys opinions and I don't really have any friends that fish to lean on so I am asking what you guys would do.

 

Thanks in advance.

[TnRiver46]

Cable steer, simple is bueno. Heck I even ran a hand steer with extension handle and big foot on/off switch on the deck. I swear I liked that better than anything, you see a lot of shallow water fisherman in Florida with the hand steer 

 

I always get a kick out of seeing every guy in local tournaments has to have power poles and spot lock yet none of them ever stop moving 

[A-Jay]

Fortrex user & abuser here - since 2016.

Outfitted my rig just before the Ultrex came out.

Also have 12 ft Talons

Been very pleased - with the 112 lb 36v 60 inch shaft and I need every bit of it. 

Use both the Talons & the Fortrex a ton of course but I'm rarely using the Fortrex to hold position

(in water beyond the depth of the Talons) in sloppy weather.

Just too much of a PIA - always wish I had an Ultrex on those trips.

In an effort to perhaps simulate what it will be like to be running a Fortrex,

a try before you buy if you will, next few trips out leave the Terrova controller home

and do not use spot lock - at all.  

That may give you a sense as to what to expect.

Of course you'll not really be able to deploy & recover your current motor like you'll need to for the Fortrex,

but if this 60 plus old guy can manage it,

a strapping young man such as yourself should have no problem.

Hope that helps.

btw - get the Ultrex and be done with it - you're worth it. 

A-Jay

 

[Tennessee Boy]

I have an Ultrex and love it for deep water fishing which is my favorite way to fish.  It is not ideal for shallow water fishing that's for sure.   When I had my first boat (Tracker TX17),  I did a lot of shallow water fishing.  I replaced the cable steer with a hand steer like @TnRiver46 mentioned and really liked it.  It was great for shallow water flipping and pitching.  I spent a lot of time standing at the very front of the boat with TM almost between my legs.  I was close to the cover I was fishing and if I got hung up,  I could reach down and quickly turn the TM on high to retrieve my lure then quickly switch it to reverse to get me back out.  It was a very efficient way fish shallow visible cover.  When I fished deep water,  I used an extension handle and a foot switch which worked great.  If I had the money I would get a second boat for spring shallow water fishing and rigged it the exact same way. 

 

It all depends on how you like to fish.  If you spend most of your time in shallow water then go with the Terrova and save some money.

[Junk Fisherman]

You should be able to find a Fortrex used at a good price from people upgrading especially over the winter.  Does it use the same plug and bracket?   

 

Interesting that you use the powers 20-1 over spot-lock.  Granted I fish a lot of deep water, but don't use my Talon much at all.  I have even been kicking around the idea of not getting any poles on my next boat.  I use spot-lock constantly.  (Who am I kidding?  Of course I will get poles on my next boat but the thought has crossed my mind.)

[Russ E]

I have owned a lot of trolling motors over the years. None are perfect, but my favorite is the Ultrex.

My last motor was a Fortrex . They are nice trolling motors. Very durable and simple to use.

My current motor is an Ultrex. I like that it is still a cable drive and has the feedback on the pedal.

Besides spotlock, my favorite feature of the ultrex is ease of steering at higher speeds. It is like a Fortrex with power steering.

My least favorite are the true power drive motors like the terrova. Not being a cable drive I constantly had to glance at the motor to see which direction it was pointing. Will never own one of them again.

[K1500]

I’ve got a Motorguide Xi5. I love the anchor mode (spot lock) and heading lock (when it works, which isn’t all the time). I don’t have power poles or talons, but don’t think I would want to be without anchor mode. 

[GaryH]

Get the Ultrex you won't be disappointed. I run power poles and a Ultrex, both have there place and use. The Ultrex can do alot more than just spot lock.

[Junk Fisherman]

53 minutes ago, K1500 said:

I’ve got a Motorguide Xi5. I love the anchor mode (spot lock) and heading lock (when it works, which isn’t all the time). I don’t have power poles or talons, but don’t think I would want to be without anchor mode. 

I agree 100%.  The only time I use my poles are at the launch, retying, or on the occasional when I want to stay in one spot and it is very windy.

 

But I get it, different strokes for different folks but I use my spot-lock constantly.  But I also think my Talon is kinda loud too.

  

[Big Rick]

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

btw - get the Ultrex and be done with it - you're worth it. 

Exactly.  Buy once, cry once.  It saves you from regret every time you're fishing and wish you had it. 6 months from now you'll not even be thinking about the other option. Choose the other option and every time you deploy it you'll regret not biting the bullet and just doing it. Go big...

[r83srock]

So my boat is older, and I originally had a Maxxum 74 which was on it for 14 years. Never an issue but pins and bushings were worn so I’d figure I’d sell it and get a new version of what I had, a Maxxum 70. Big mistake! The new maxxums are not built as well as the old. I had nothing but issues for 2 years. 
 

This summer I purchased a new Fortrex 80, and so far I have been very pleased! The built in transducer is very nice and the motor seems robust! I would have loved an ultrex, but the cost was one issue for me, as well as known issues with foot pedal boards, and no breakaway shaft spring for shallow water, it just wasn’t the motor for me.

 

I have used an ultrex when it first came out, and the spot lock technology is awesome! I will say, whatever you get, cable steer is the way to go for bass fishing.

[Shimano_1]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Cable steer, simple is bueno. Heck I even ran a hand steer with extension handle and big foot on/off switch on the deck. I swear I liked that better than anything, you see a lot of shallow water fisherman in Florida with the hand steer 

 

I always get a kick out of seeing every guy in local tournaments has to have power poles and spot lock yet none of them ever stop moving 

And those are usually the guys asking where/how you caught ur fish lol 

[jbsoonerfan]

3 minutes ago, r83srock said:

So my boat is older, and I originally had a Maxxum 74 which was on it for 14 years. Never an issue but pins and bushings were worn so I’d figure I’d sell it and get a new version of what I had, a Maxxum 70. Big mistake! The new maxxums are not built as well as the old. I had nothing but issues for 2 years. 
 

This summer I purchased a new Fortrex 80, and so far I have been very pleased! The built in transducer is very nice and the motor seems robust! I would have loved an ultrex, but the cost was one issue for me, as well as known issues with foot pedal boards, and no breakaway shaft spring for shallow water, it just wasn’t the motor for me.

 

I have used an ultrex when it first came out, and the spot lock technology is awesome! I will say, whatever you get, cable steer is the way to go for bass fishing.

Well I have already broke 2 shafts in my Terrova - so I was hoping the Ultrex might be better for shallow water. Maybe not I guess.

[MickD]

I don't even know what a Fortrex is.  But one feature of my motor that I really appreciate, one because I'm getting old and not so nimble, but also for deep water fishing convenience, is the ability to deploy and store it from the remote, from anywhere in the boat.  I didn't think this would be a big deal when I bought, but I now will never be without it.

[Hawgfinder]

I upgraded to the Ultrexx 2summers ago and love it especially when you need to land a fish or retying. I don’t have power poles or talons seems like they’re a pain if a guy is fishing from the back of the boat. Only thing shallow water anchors seem to be useful for is loading and unloading the boat. And they’re pricey. 

[r83srock]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Well I have already broke 2 shafts in my Terrova - so I was hoping the Ultrex might be better for shallow water. Maybe not I guess.

My uncle fishes the upper Mississippi a lot and knows of a few anglers that busted up their ultrex, but these are highly competitive fishermen. the ultrex may not be the best choice if you primarily fish shallow. I would like to see a breakaway spring on the ultrex someday. Other than that I think it’s an awesome motor! 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Get the ultrex.

[Russ E]

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Well I have already broke 2 shafts in my Terrova - so I was hoping the Ultrex might be better for shallow water. Maybe not I guess.

In 4 years of shallow water abuse with an Ultrex, I bottomed out the trolling motor several times, hit several trees and rocks, bounced it off of a couple docks.

The only thing I ever had to replace was a prop. because it was so beat up the motor would shake when it was running.

I would say they are pretty durable.

[TnRiver46]

Just now, Russ E said:

In 4 years of shallow water abuse with an Ultrex, I bottomed out the trolling motor several times, hit several trees and rocks, bounced it off of a couple docks.

The only thing I ever had to replace was a prop. because it was so beat up the motor would shake when it was running.

I would say they are pretty durable.

I like your style 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have found a pretty solid deal on an Ultrex from a local guy, just need to sell my Terrova first if I go that route. I would rather sell and have the money as opposed to have 2 TM's and have to hear my wife tell me how much my hobby costs. LOL

[GaryH]

11 hours ago, Russ E said:

In 4 years of shallow water abuse with an Ultrex, I bottomed out the trolling motor several times, hit several trees and rocks, bounced it off of a couple docks.

The only thing I ever had to replace was a prop. because it was so beat up the motor would shake when it was running.

I would say they are pretty durable.

Same here. I can't count all the times I've banged my Ultrex with no issues.

[Big Rick]

Full disclosure, I fish an aluminum bass boat so the weight is not nearly as much as glass rigs. Neither do I displace as much water. But, I fish a lot of cypress lakes that are full of stumps, logs, and all kinds of debris. My Ultrex spends a lot of time jumping stumps, logs, and all kinds of other underwater obstacles and I have never had an issue with it. It's been as tough as any unit I've ever fished with. 

[jbsoonerfan]

6 minutes ago, Big Rick said:

Full disclosure, I fish an aluminum bass boat so the weight is not nearly as much as glass rigs. Neither do I displace as much water. But, I fish a lot of cypress lakes that are full of stumps, logs, and all kinds of debris. My Ultrex spends a lot of time jumping stumps, logs, and all kinds of other underwater obstacles and I have never had an issue with it. It's been as tough as any unit I've ever fished with. 

Well, I feel better hearing that. The lake I fish the most is full of stumps and I try my best to avoid them but there are instances where I am in a creek and the water is muddy and I simply cannot see some of them. I am hoping that since the Ultrex is semi-cable driven it will help the head rotate when it impacts a stump or something.

 

I appreciate all the responses, I knew I probably wouldn't be happy with the Fortrex, but for the money I could save I didn't know if it would matter much.

[MickD]

17 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

have to hear my wife tell me how much my hobby costs

Just keep her shoe and purse closet door open.  Or better yet, get her hooked on fishing.

[gim]

I've got a 2015 Maxxum 70 pound thrust.  Its basically the junior version of the Fortrex.  I have used it for 5 full seasons now and it has not failed once.  Granted, I don't fish in heavy chop and rarely do I fish for anything longer than 4 hours at a time, but had the Ultrex been available at the time I bought my boat I'm pretty sure I would have bought that instead.

 

I also have a single 12 foot talon.  Again, had the Ultrex been available at the time, I probably would not have bought a talon in addition to an Ultrex.  I won't use an electric steer bow mount like a Terrova, Powerdrive, or Ulterra.  The steering is loud and slow.  They have their advantages in the world of walleye fishing.  My parents have a Powerdrive on their Crestliner Fish Hawk tiller and they have a Terrova on their 2090 Warrior.  I don't care for either one lol