Top Best Trolling Motors Review Guide For 2023

Top Best Trolling Motors Review Guide For 2023 – If you’re an angler, equipping your boat with a trolling motor is one of the best decisions you can make. They eliminate the need for using an outboard and propel your vessel at a slow and steady pace. These motors got their name after a type of fishing (trolling), where fishing lines with bait are drawn behind the boat at a consistent speed.

When choosing the best trolling motor, the most important things to consider are thrust, shaft length, and construction quality. All of these play a huge role in the motor’s performance once you put it in the water. In our reviews, you’ll learn all about the best electric trolling motors available and find out how to pick the ideal one for your boat. To find out even more keep reading our Top Best Trolling Motors Review Guide For 2023.

Newport Vessels NV-Series Electric Trolling Motor

The Newport Vessels electric motor provides a reliable and smooth ride in every situation. It puts a huge accent on construction quality, so you don’t have to worry about potential problems or overall durability. This version has 36 pounds of thrust, which is ideal for smaller and lighter vessels.

As for the construction, the adjustable shaft is almost indestructible, while the stainless steel and zinc hardware makes it completely corrosion-resistant. And, as a proof of quality, Newport Vessels offer a 2-year warranty with every motor.

Product Details:

• EFFICIENT POWER: 36lb Thrust – this 12v electric trolling motor provides excellent power and efficiency for any boater. The high quality build allows the motor to run all day long without overheating, or making noise to spook fish.
• FEATURES: This motor features a 30 inch shaft, a 5 LED battery meter, a 6 inch telescoping tiller handle, and 2 blade propeller. The mount angle, height, and direction can all be adjusted and locked into place when needed.
• SPEED: This motor has 8 speeds, 5 forward and 3 reverse. The motor is designed for trolling, so the top speed of this motor is about 3mph, but depends on your boat shape, weight, water, wind, and other factors. Our 2 Blade Propeller performs well in weeds and grassy conditions.
• BATTERY: The NV 36lb motor requires one (1) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle or Lithium Deep Cycle battery (battery not included), 50ah recommended. The motor includes a 40amp circuit breaker which is recommended at all times to protect from battery voltage surges. Max Amp Draw: 29A
• QUALITY & RELIABILITY: All Newport motors are made to high quality stainless steel, magnesium, and zinc hardware to withstand fresh water and salt water environments. We stand behind every product we make with industry leading customer service and a 2 year warranty.

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Adjustable shaft length adds versatility in different water conditions
• 5-point LED battery indicator for controlling the battery level
• Corrosion-resistant hardware (stainless steel, zinc, and magnesium)
• Covered by a generous 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 36lbs (46, 55, 62, 86lbs also available)
• Battery: 12V
• Shaft: Fiberglass Composite, 30 inches, adjustable
• Mount: Transom

Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The interesting thing about the Minn Kota Edge motor is that it’s mounted on the bow, unlike most other motors we’ve featured. This greatly increases maneuverability and might be very useful for avoiding obstacles.

This top-rated motor is available with three thrust options – 45, 55, and 70 pounds, and works best on medium-sized vessels. Depending on the model you choose, the composite shaft can be between 36 and 52 inches long. Lastly, the Minn Kota Edge is controlled by a foot pedal to increase comfort.

Product Details:

• Indestructible Composite shaft that is for life
• 5 forward speeds
• Latch and door mount for easy removal
• Heel-toe/ Cable-Steer foot pedal
• Power Prop (MKP-2)
• Sport type: Outdoor Lifestyle

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Foot control pedal leaves your hands free for fishing
• Bow mount design with easy setup and removal
• MKP-2 Power Prop stays reliable regardless of conditions
• Composite shaft can’t be damaged or destroyed

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 45lbs (55 and 70lbs also available)
• Battery: 12V
• Shaft: Composite, 36-52 inches (depending on the model)
• Mount: Bow

Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Trolling Motor

Compact, reliable, and affordable, the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 motor is the top budget choice. It’s easy to mount, even easier to operate, and doesn’t create any noise while moving through the water.

While the C2 30 is a 30-pound motor, you can also find Enduras that go up to 55lbs of thrust. Perhaps the biggest upside of this motor is that it’s exceptionally quiet. Even though all trolling motors are fairly silent, this one makes virtually no noise which is very useful for fishing.

Product Details:

• Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage
• Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller.
• 5 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse.
• Power Prop: For 3-1/4″ motor diameters, this prop delivers extra power to push throw heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer.
• Indestructible Composite Shaft — for Life: At the core of your Minn Kota trolling motor is an indestructable composite shaft. It’s a Minn Kota exclusive, and we it for life.

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Telescopic tiller handle makes steering easier
• Extra-quiet operation so it doesn’t scare the fish
• Energy-efficient to provide longer battery life
• Power Prop design easily pushes through vegetation

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 30lbs (40, 45, 50, 55lbs also available)
• Battery: 12V
• Shaft: Composite, 30 inches
• Mount: Transom

Newport Vessels L-Series Saltwater Electric Trolling Motor

The powerful 86-pound thrust makes the Newport Vessels saltwater trolling motor excellent if you’re packing heavy gear or enjoy having company on-board. While it’s a bit more expensive than most others, it’s worth the investment considering the performance you get.

Despite being large, Newport Vessels 86lb is among the best trolling motors when it comes to controlling. The telescopic handle fits perfectly in the hand, and you can easily adjust the angle for the most comfortable operation.

Product Details:

• EFFICIENT POWER: 86lb Thrust – this 24v electric trolling motor provides excellent power and efficiency for any boater. The high quality build allows the motor to run all day long without overheating, or making noise to spook fish.
• FEATURES: This motor features a 40 inch shaft, a 5 LED battery meter, a 6 inch telescoping tiller handle, and 3 blade propeller. The mount angle, height, and direction can all be adjusted and locked into place when needed.
• SPEED: This motor has 8 speeds, 5 forward and 3 reverse. The motor is designed for trolling, so the top speed of this motor is about 4.5mph, but depends on your boat shape, weight, water, wind, and other factors. Our 3 Blade Propeller gives the motor great low end torque to get the boat moving.
• BATTERY: The L Series 86lb motor requires two (2) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle or Lithium Deep Cycle battery (battery not included), 50ah recommended. The motor also includes a 50amp circuit breaker which is recommended at all times to protect from battery voltage surges. Max Amp Draw: 48A
• QUALITY & RELIABILITY: All Newport motors are made to high quality stainless steel, magnesium, and zinc hardware to withstand fresh water and salt water environments. We stand behind every product we make with industry leading customer service and a 2 year warranty.

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Exceptional power for a very reliable performance
• 40-inch shaft allows mounting on a taller transom
• LED battery indicator shows the charge left
• Reinforced nylon propeller easily goes through weeds

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 86lbs (62lbs also available)
• Battery: 24V (2 x 12V)
• Shaft: Fiberglass Composite, 40 inches, Adjustable
• Mount: Transom

Minn Kota Ultrex Bow-Mount Trolling Motor

Sophisticated design and lots of high-end features rank the Minn Kota Ultrex among the best bow mount trolling motors that you can get. This is the perfect model for all of you who seek top-level performance and aren’t too worried about the price tag.

By construction, the Ultrex is a foot-controlled model, but you can also use the provided I-Pilot Link system to remotely steer and accelerate. Additionally, it’s equipped with a GPS that has a Spot-Lock function for marking fishing spots and memorizing your favorite routes.

Product Details:

• Combining Minn Kota’s most responsive, intuitive steering yet with GPS-powered automatic boat control, the Ultrix trolling motor features a next-generation power steering foot pedal that’s built for all-day comfort and precise control.
• Tap the foot pedal’s Spot-Lock button to stay on a fishing spot without touching your trolling motor. When you take your foot off Ultrix’s foot pedal, the motor head remains pointed in the direction you left it—no recoil or readjustment.
• Using GPS to lock onto fishing spots with Spot-Lock, record and retrace paths, command speed and steering, and more, the I-Pilot Link system allows you to control your motor from the touchscreen remote or from a virtual remote (sold separately).
• Offering optimal sonar performance to help you find fish, the built-in Universal Sonar 2 keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor’s shaft with shielded connectors.
• This Minn Kota Ultrix has a 45-inch shaft length, features 80 pounds of thrust (24 volts), and includes a multi-function foot pedal, heading sensor, mounting hardware and cabling, and I-Pilot GPS system.

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Foot operation leaves your hands free for fishing
• GPS with Spot-Lock system for tracking fishing spots
• I-Pilot Link allows you to control the motor with a remote
• Available with two shaft lengths (45 and 52in)

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 80lbs
• Battery: 24V (2 x 12V)
• Shaft: Composite, 45 or 52 inches
• Mount: Bow

Cloud Mountain Electric Fishing Boats Trolling Motor

The Cloud Mountain motor provides an abundance of power while fitting within a limited budget. For a very reasonable sum, you’ll get an 86-pound unit that is one of the best trolling motors for heavier boats.

While it’s fully adjustable, the shaft measures only 28 inches which can be a problem for taller boats. As for maneuverability, everything is easy thanks to the 6-inch telescoping handle. Finally, it has a 10-point LED indicator for controlling the battery level.

Product Details:

• 【Powerful and Durable】: Reinforced Nylon Bracket ensures high strength, good ablation resistance and good dimension stability. Durable all aluminum head increase the service life of the motor.
• 【Ergonomic extendable handle】: 8 Speeds and 6-inch Telescoping adjustable Handle (5-sp forward & 3-sp reverse) puts total control at your fingertips for a smooth and easily controlled ride.
• 【28-inch Fiberglass Composite Shaft】: High tensile strength and corrosion resistance adjustable shaft allows for proper depth placement in all water conditions. 28” shaft is more suitable for sitting.
• 【10-Point LED Battery indicator】: Battery indicator protects the batteries, and it is convenient to observe how much electricity is left.(battery not included)
• 【Stainless steel Hardware】: Saltwater compatible hardware make the motor can run perfectly in saltwater or freshwater.

What Makes This Trolling Motor Stand Out:

• Fully telescopic shaft for easily adjusting the depth
• Highly-responsive handle provides maximum control
• Reinforced nylon bracket for secure mounting
• Stainless steel hardware for using in saltwater

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS:

• Thrust: 86lbs (36, 40, 46, 50, 55, 60lbs also available)
• Battery: 24V
• Shaft: Fiberglass Composite, 28 inches, adjustable
• Mount: Transom

Top Best Trolling Motors Buyers Guide For 2023

How To Choose A Trolling Motor:

Thrust:

The thrust is essentially the power your trolling motor has, and directly determines the ability of the motor to propel your vessel through the water. It’s usually measured in pounds, and a higher number of pounds means that it’s more powerful. While a bigger motor will give you a steadier performance, it’s also more expensive and heavier.

Durability:

The longevity of your motor will depend on the materials used to make it. High-quality motors come with fiberglass shafts and plastic casings that won’t get damaged on impact. As for the hardware, make sure that it’s made of stainless steel if you’re going to use the motor in saltwater.

Speed:

Trolling motors usually come with 8 fixed speeds (5 forward and 3 reverse) so that you can easily find a pace that fish like. Keep in mind that trolling motors are not designed for speed, but rather for reliable performance (their max speed is usually 5 to 8mph).

Shaft:

The length of the shaft greatly influences the overall performance. If your bow or transom is taller, you’ll need a longer shaft for the motor to perform well. After mounting the motor, the propeller should be submerged about 12 inches so it can do its job properly.

Voltage:

When it comes to the voltage of your trolling motor, there are three options – 12, 24, or 36 volts (1 to 3 batteries). Generally speaking, electric motors with more thrust require more power. Having only one battery is convenient and keeps the boat weight low, while a multi-battery system is more energy-efficient.

Mount Type:

A trolling motor can be mounted in two positions on your boat – on the bow or the transom. The bow mount type (front of the boat) is better suited for medium and larger vessels and offers better maneuverability. On the other hand, the transom mount is more popular among trolling motor for kayaks because the person sitting inside can easily reach the control handle.

Controls:

There are two basic types of controls – hand and foot controls. A hand-controlled trolling motor has a lever (handle) for steering and accelerating the boat. It’s very responsive but requires you to turn around and keep a hand on it while using it.

A foot-controlled trolling motor is more practical because it leaves your hands free for fishing or doing something else. However, it requires you to keep a pedal in the cockpit, and it isn’t as responsive. Perhaps the best solution is a handheld remote control, but these models tend to be very expensive.

Additional features:

In the previous paragraph, we’ve mentioned that some trolling motors for kayaks have wireless control that makes the use very convenient. One more feature we really enjoy seeing is a battery gauge so you can easily see when it’s time to recharge the battery.

Next, some trolling motors can be self-directed, meaning they can steer the vessel on their own by following the shoreline or a certain depth. Also, modern troll motors often come with digital displays that show the speed you are currently going at as well as the depth underneath you.

FAQs:

Q: How Do Trolling Motors Work?
A: Trolling motors use electricity to power the motor, which in turn moves the propeller and subsequently pushes (or pulls) the boat. The electricity comes from a battery that is connected to the motor.

The motor itself is located at the bottom end of the shaft, in a water-sealed compartment. Because it’s submerged, the chance of overheating is greatly reduced so it can work constantly for longer periods.

Q: What Are The Best Batteries For Trolling Motors?
A: The best trolling motor batteries are deep cycle marine batteries. These give you constant electrical discharge over long periods, which is perfect for the way a trolling motor works.

The battery directly determines the runtime of your trolling motor. While they often have the same voltage, the amperage can vary greatly. Higher ampere-hours mean more time on the water, but also extra weight that you need to carry.

Q: How Fast Will A 55 Lb Thrust Trolling Motor Go?
A: On average, a 55lb trolling motor can go up to 5 miles per hour. However, this is true if the conditions on the water are perfect. If it’s windy, the water is choppy, or you overload the boat, it’s very likely that you won’t be able to hit this speed.

Q: How Big Of A Trolling Motor Do I Need?
A: The rule of thumb says that you need at least 2 pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds of weight on your boat. To give an example, let’s say your loaded kayak weighs 1000 pounds (with you and the gear inside).

For this calculation, the trolling motor will need at least 20lbs of thrust. Of course, this is only the minimum, and it’s recommended that you go a bit over so the motor can compensate for the conditions on the water.

Conclusion:

Trolling motors eliminate the need for paddling and make fishing much easier. As you’ve had the chance to
see, plenty of things go into choosing the best trolling motor. We hope that the information in our
reviews was useful to you so that you can easily find the right one for your boat. Thanks for taking the
time to read our Top Best Trolling Motors Review Guide For 2023.