Looking for opinions on a new trolling motor

[mainebassin650]

So, I've recently bent the shaft on my trolling motor and decided to just upgrade rather than fix it. I have a choice between a new Motor Guide Pro Series 70 lb for $334 or a new Minn Kota Egde 70 lb for $381.

Just wondering what some of your opinions are as to which may be better. I like the composite shafts on the Minn Kota's but have heard some bad things about the Edge series.

If I had $750, I'd be goin to get an 80 lb Fortrex but I just don't have it.

Thanks, Kyle

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Doesnt really matter which one. I like minn kota better myself but they're both the top 2 brands.In fact theyre the only brands i know of haha 

[jdw174]

I'd like to know where you can get an 80lb Fortrex for $750??  Every place I've found they're about $1100.  Anyway, I'm thinking of upgrading my TM as well, and I'd really like to go with the Fortrex this time around. 

[Wayne P.]

If you are prone to bending trolling motor shafts, the Minn Kota should be your choice.

[mainebassin650]

I'd like to know where you can get an 80lb Fortrex for $750?? Every place I've found they're about $1100. Anyway, I'm thinking of upgrading my TM as well, and I'd really like to go with the Fortrex this time around.

These prices are coming from a surplus store that bought out a bass pro shops recently that had flooded.

[K_Mac]

I'd like to know where you can get an 80lb Fortrex for $750?? Every place I've found they're about $1100. Anyway, I'm thinking of upgrading my TM as well, and I'd really like to go with the Fortrex this time around.

These prices are coming from a surplus store that bought out a bass pro shops recently that had flooded.

I got a great price on my Fortrex, but not that good. That may be as good a deal on a great TM as you'll ever find. I understand not having the cash though...

If you can swing buying a unit with the digital controls I recommend it. They are far more energy efficient. Good luck.

[mainebassin650]

I'd like to know where you can get an 80lb Fortrex for $750?? Every place I've found they're about $1100. Anyway, I'm thinking of upgrading my TM as well, and I'd really like to go with the Fortrex this time around.

These prices are coming from a surplus store that bought out a bass pro shops recently that had flooded.

I got a great price on my Fortrex, but not that good. That may be as good a deal on a great TM as you'll ever find. I understand not having the cash though...

If you can swing buying a unit with the digital controls I recommend it. They are far more energy efficient. Good luck.

I'd have to cash no problem if I didn't spend over $300 on 2 rods and buy a humminbird 788c. I wish I would have bent the shaft before hand.

I'll sell the rods and the humminbird if anyone wants to help the cause ;D

[NateFollmer]

Minnkota! I love my Minnkota and have never had a lick of trouble with it. That sounds kind of odd, I know. I don't usually go nuts over a product, but Minnkota really excels over other brands.

I've hit many a rock or timber with the prop and thought it was done for, pulled it up and it didn't even have a scratch on it.

[Tuckman]

Minn kota for sure.

The last two bass boats I have bought have come with motorguides and I cant say enough bad things about them to fully express my displeasure with how poorly they have performed for me. But I will try ...In the last month alone the gatormount bracket snapped on my motorguide tour 67 and then a week later the circuit board started to go out on me and now I have to run it on high bypass to get it to work...My last motorguide pro series 55 had the same exact electrical problems. Both of my Motorguides also sucked in the weeds, draw to much battery juice in the process, and the shafts bend easily when run into a bank. Man, do I hate motorguide

I have had two minn kota maxxums and a powerdrive and they have been great, in fact

My boat is actually in the shop today to get my motorguide tour replaced with a minn kota maxxum 70 so I cant fish a tournament saturday and not have to worry about trolling motor problems.

[detroit1]

I've had my M/G 54 for 8 yrs., and the only problem i have had was the rope breaking this year. It doesn't run out of juice for me. (rarely fish more than 8 hrs, and not in rivers) And i certainly don't run it into the shoreline. 

[Fishes in trees]

I would buy the Minn Kota.  I freely admit that I am bigoted toward Motor Guides.  I used to fish BFL's as a co-angler and I had two tournaments ruined because the boaters trolling motor screwed up.  Both times it was a Motor Guide.

[Chris at Tech]

MK

[sodaksker]

my vote  would be Minnkota,  I have had both and prefer the MK.  The motor guides have more lb to lb thrust in equal ratings and a smaller mount bracket for easier mounting.  The Mks are more durable, more quiet, run better in weeds.  I have heard they are better  on battery life but, I had never noticed the difference.

I recently just picked up a used champ 186 and it has a 50lb motor guide on it.  I want to put an 80 Mk on it but it looks like I will have to move some  things on the bow to make the Mk bracket fit.  :-/

[scrutch]

Go with MK and get more thrust than you think you need.  Your batteries will last longer, and you'll have the extra thrust in case of an emergency.

You won't be sorry.

[junebugmn]

I had a tracker pro-70 on my old ranger 350 the only thing I ever had to do with it is oil the top of the motor under the cover a bearing dried and squeaked. I bought it as a take off at a tracker dealer for 400.00 brand new!!!!  A word of advice, check your dealer's for "take off's" motor's that buyer's don't want that they can switch for a different one!  Junebugman

[Triton21]

I was a BIG MK fan for several years until their "unbreakable shaft" broke and they would not cover it under warranty.  It was less than a year old and broke when I bumped a stump at low speed.

I have had several MG and have bent many shafts on them until now.  My boat came with a 109 and the gator mount came with springs that let the motor rebound from hitting an obstacle.  I have fished it hard over 5 years with no problems.

Kelley