New trolling motor or active target live sonar?

[Brixtybass]

Hello,

 

So I have a choice to make and I am looking for some input from anyone who may already have this equipment. 

 

Currently I have an 18 foot nitro that over the past year my father and I have been upgrading. We currently have a 6 or 7 year old motor guide trolling motor and a 7 and 9 inch lowrance elite ti graphs. We would like to get a trolling motor with spot lock feature and lowrance active target live sonar but right now only have the money for one or the other. 

 

What would you suggest we purchase first? We live in NY and fish Cayuga lake every weekend in the summer and occasionally fish the other local lakes. A lot of the time it is windy out on the lake so spot lock would be nice to have but so would live sonar. Any input anyone may have is appreciated!

 

Thanks!!!!!

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I vote for trolling motor 

[Tennessee Boy]

I have both.  Live sonar is awesome.   Spot lock on a good trolling motor is a must for me.   I vote for the trolling motor.

[DaubsNU1]

Another vote for trolling motor + spot lock. My boat doesn't have it...but my Brother's boat does. I cannot wait for the day when I get spot-lock. 

[TnRiver46]

I’ll never have either, I just know it’s easier to use a trolling motor than fish radar hahah

[Big Rick]

If you go with the electronics upgrade and your old trolling motor goes down your hot rod electronics are basically useless. Upgrade the trolling motor, keep fishing until you save up for the electronics upgrades, and you'll be better off. 

[InfantryMP]

I vote trolling motor as well. It is nice to have FFS, but at the end of the day it is a lot nicer to be able to be spot locked. 

[blackrain]

Agree with others even though I don't have FFS. I'd probably give up everything before not having my MK with spot lock.

[Darth-Baiter]

I have the perspective of someone that has neither.  I do fish with friends with the gear mentioned.  the one that I envy is the guy with spot lock.  blowing around a lake on a kayak is so frustrating sometimes.  he just plants there.  kinda nice tho.  I use him for a visual reference to get back to where I was.  Shhhhh, dont tell him.

 

livescope just seems like the icing on the cake.  I just want cake at this point.   a big slice of spot lock flavored cake. 

[Woody B]

Spot lock.   I've never used FFS but spot lock has helped me quite a bit.  

[Dirtyeggroll]

I have both. 
 

Look at it this way, FFS is rapidly developing, whatever you get now will be outdated in a couple years max.

 

Spot lock trolling motors (Ultrex, specifically) have been around without a significant change and conceptually the mechanism is well defined.

 

A spotlock trolling motor will be a big workhorse for years to come. FFS will continue to change and get cheaper and FFS for bass fishing really only is useful small portion of the time (although, when it’s useful, it can be highly effective).

 

A spotlock trolling motor I use at every single outing.

 

I vote new trolling motor.

 

 

[J._Bricker]

Great first question @Brixtybass and welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums. I now have both options that you plan on installing on your boat. All I can say is a trolling motor with spot lock is worth the investment and a game changer in how it improves the fishability of your boat.

As stated above- trolling motor 

[GaryH]

I also have both and hands down my Ultrex with spot lock is something they’ll have to pry my hands from. 
Trolling motor for sure first.

[txchaser]

Spotlock for sure. 

[Brixtybass]

Thanks for all the information and recommendations! Went the the trolling motor!

[J._Bricker]

28 minutes ago, Brixtybass said:

Thanks for all the information and recommendations! Went the the trolling motor!

? Which trolling motor did you decide on and was your future electronics installation of choice a consideration? 

[Brixtybass]

Went with the Lowrance Ghost. Yes, we did also pick up a Lowrance HDS Carbon 9in as well to replace the Elite Ti 7in because it was a pretty good price. Got everything installed this past weekend. Can't wait to test it out this coming weekend!

[WRB]

Good choices!

Are tournament fishing? Always casting towards the shoreline,  outside structure or both? 

Nearly everyone I have fished with under utilize their sonar units from lack of knowledge. You might want to hire a skilled guide to to tour you on using your sonar units, well worth it!

Tom

[RHuff]

I would upgrade the trolling more before anything else...  I bought the new Motorguide Tour Pro with Pinpoint the year before last and it's been amazing... It has completely changed how I fish 

[Siebert Outdoors]

My vote would be motor. 

[Catt]

I fish a lot of offshore structure, so you either learn how to anchor or you stand with your foot on a pedal all day.

 

Spot Lock ?

[MN Fisher]

19 minutes ago, Catt said:

I fish a lot of offshore structure, so you either learn how to anchor or you stand with your foot on a pedal all day.

Anchor - two if I need to...ya, got two in the F-9

 

19 minutes ago, Catt said:

Spot Lock ?

Would love to be able to afford it.