Trolling Motor recommendation for a newby.

[Blue Raider Bob]

Just bought a 16' Alumacraft Maverick at auction and am looking to replace aged trolling motor. I am a lifelong handle operated trolling motor angler and have never used a foot controlled motor. What is an easy to use/learn motor that will work for me. Not looking to spend spotlock money as it is not needed for my way of fishing.

thanks

[TnRiver46]

Go with another handheld, I’ve got one . Had many foot controlled , definitely prefer hand operated 

 

if you must go foot controlled, minn kota edge and maxxum are tough and simple 

[Blue Raider Bob]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Go with another handheld, I’ve got one . Had many foot controlled , definitely prefer hand operated 

 

if you must go foot controlled, minn kota edge and maxxum are tough and simple 

Thanks, I prefer hand held but the new boat distance between motor and seat is just too far. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Foot controlled TM control is such an advantage, that would be the first thing I would upgrade if I had a different boat for the home lake. 

 

I think a Minn Kota Edge is the easy button.    I like to use Facebook marketplace when looking for motors or electronics.   Usually can save some good money buying it there.    I've even bought brand new motors in the box for significantly cheaper than MSRP.  

 

IIrc you have FFS, so a foot controlled front mounted TM makes all the difference in the world there as well.  

[Tennessee Boy]

I put a hand controlled TM on my first boat and loved it. I'm living firmly in the spot lock world now but I often miss the hand control.  If you fish visible cover I think it's hard to beat a hand held.  I would stand at the very front of the boat with the trolling motor practically between my legs and flip the cover. If I got hung up I would go in fast to get my lure, then switch quickly to reverse to get back out.   It all depends on how you fish in choosing a trolling motor.  Foot controlled have their place but so do hand controlled.

[gim]

Bear in mind the Edge and Maxxum only have limited distance of pedal operation from the unit itself because they are true cable steer models.  They must be used from the front deck of the boat.  Plus the pedals tend to sit higher up on the floor without a recessed cut-out.

 

The Powerdrive or Terrova are electric steer versions and have longer cords to the pedal (or they are wireless in some cases), and they sit flatter.  Some people use them from any part of the boat they want because of this purpose.  They cost more than the Edge or Maxxum.

 

If you've never used a pedal, there is going to be a learning curve.  Especially with a true cable steer one.

 

The advantage of using a foot pedal is that you can use two hands to fish, obviously.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Blue Raider Bob said:

Thanks, I prefer hand held but the new boat distance between motor and seat is just too far. 

They make extension for the handle 

 

the extension with a big foot on/off switch was the best setup I ever had 

[TnRiver46]

@Blue Raider Bob, had to go into the way back machine but I found some pics of my old setup. The small black round button screwed into the deck is the big foot switch, it’s a $15-$20 on/off you can tap with your foot or set to always on. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Check out the Autoboat smart head from tinyboatnation......I'm considering one myself

AUTOBOAT SMART HEAD GPS Pro Anchor System - for 12V Minn Kota 30-55 Lb - Tiny Boat Nation

 

ETA:  For about $1k you can have a spotlock TM with remote control access 

 

[Lottabass]

@AlabamaSpothunter  I have the first Autoboat unit that was offered by TBN.  The first one they sent:  The remote wouldn't work, and the Anchor Mode (spot lock) wouldn't work.  They replaced the remote and we horsed around with trying to troubleshoot the Anchor Mode problem for 2 weeks.  Finally they sent a whole new unit.  It works but you have to have the phone app on and this will drain your phone battery in about 3 hours.  Also, the Anchor Mode takes a few seconds to engage so you can be blown way off your chosen spot before it kicks in.  One excellent feature is that you can adjust the "gain" if you have it on a small pond prowler type boat or a larger boat.  So the Anchor Mode works great once it engages.  Again, this is the first model, not the Smart Head that they offer now.  

I put it on the boat in late fall until freeze up here when I'm fishing deeper. open water.  The rest of the year I'm fishing shallow or up the river.  The electric steer is a pain in the butt then.

So this is my experience.  Not real happy with the experience but I will use it again next fall and will try to learn how to engage the anchor mode upwind of where I want the boat to be.  Until the then the hand steer motor is my choice.

@Blue Raider Bob  I hope this helps in your choice.

[Alex from GA]

I went from an electric steer to a cable controlled trolling motor and wouldn't have anything else.  Instantaneous response compared to having to anticipate ahead.

[gim]

Just now, Alex from GA said:

I went from an electric steer to a cable controlled trolling motor and wouldn't have anything else.  Instantaneous response compared to having to anticipate ahead.

 

Same.  I went from a Powerdrive on our family fishing boat to a Maxxum on my own boat about 10 years ago.  I'm never going back to an electric steer version again.

[Goldstar225]

I've used both hand control and pedal steer.  I've had a maxxum (now use an ultrex) and highly recommend the maxxum if you can't go for spotlock..  It will take very little time for the use of the foot pedal to become instinctive.

[DaubsNU1]

6 hours ago, gim said:

Same.  I went from a Powerdrive on our family fishing boat to a Maxxum on my own boat about 10 years ago.  I'm never going back to an electric steer version again.

 

First trolling motor was a hand-held...then went to cable steer for 20+ years. Loved the ability to quickly turn, power-on, and power off.

 

Would have stayed with cable steer...but my brother got an Ulterra. 

 

I did NOT like it at first. But it grew on me. Power deploy and stow has worked great for 1-1/2 years now (knock-on-wood). I use the remote most of the time...but the foot-pedal does come in handy. It takes getting used to, but overall I am extremely happy with this unit. For the way I fish, it's wonderful!

 

Cable steer would be option #2 for me. Good luck!!

 

I will add that spot-lock, cruise control, and auto-pilot have really been game-changers for the way I fish. Ulterra is networked to the Humminbirds...I can motor over a brush pile...mark on my fish finder...drop the Ulterra and say, "navigate to mark"....it takes me there, and spot locks right over the top. Or locks me a certain distance from the mark. And keeps me there, even in a strong wind. Wife claims this is "cheating." But honey, I don't even have livescope yet : ) 

[gim]

12 minutes ago, Goldstar225 said:

It will take very little time for the use of the foot pedal to become instinctive.

The operational use of the maxxum/edge pedal is as simple and responsive as possible. There are very few moving parts, and it responds quickly, with minimal noise. Also, there are no electronics involved because it’s just cables attached directly the the head. Sometimes simplicity reduces potential problems.

 

The powerdrive pedal I used for years growing up was loud and unresponsive. I cringed every time I tried to turn and a loud hum would emit from it.

 

My parents have a new generation Terrova on their Warrior and they love it. They almost exclusively use the remote though. Very little pedal use. They are walleye anglers.

[Susky River Rat]

I have a terrova but, cable pedals give you a great feel. I could tell where my head was just by how my foot felt on the pedal.  Too bad you don’t live closer. I would give you the edge in my basement. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

On 1/25/2025 at 1:21 PM, Susky River Rat said:

I have a terrova but, cable pedals give you a great feel. I could tell where my head was just by how my foot felt on the pedal.  Too bad you don’t live closer. I would give you the edge in my basement. 

Wow what an offer.

If you box it up and ship, I got shipping plus whatever you want for it.

thanks

[Susky River Rat]

@Blue Raider Bob well that’s the issue I want to put no effort into getting rid of it. I’m not interested in finding a box taking it somewhere to ship it. I am willing to bet it would get damaged in shipping anyway. That’s why I said if you were local I’d gladly give it to you. 

[volzfan59]

As you can see, opinions are many and varied. It all comes down to your budget, how you fish and how fast you fish. I’ve owned a bunch of boats with different t/m’s, some 12 volt and some 24. Operated a few of my buddies 36 volt t/m’s.

 

For me I fish painfully slow and deliberate, choosing to pick apart cover. I tend to get in a good creek or on a bank and stay. I’ve gone back to a Minn Kota Edge, 12 volt 45 lb thrust and I love it. Have a lithium 100 a/h battery hooked to it. Extremely happy with this setup.