5 Best Electric Trolling Motors

Although they might seem simple enough at first glance, in the last few years electric trolling motors have come a long way from the durable but simple devices that essentially ruled the market for decades. The revolution started when the first trolling motors with electric steering appeared, offering an alternative to the traditional foot pedal and mechanical cable arrangement so widely used in bow-mount motors for years. The new electric steering systems brought additional new advantages, however, including the ability to operate the motor from anywhere on board without being tethered to the front deck.

That first appearance of electronic steering systems in trolling motors was just the tip of the iceberg though, and it paved the way for the more advanced features we enjoy today, including goodies like autopiloting, digital anchoring, and full fishfinder and GPS integration.

Sound good? Then check out these 5 amazing trolling motors that define state-of-the-art engineering.

Garmin Force

Garmin’s Force trolling motor works with the company’s GPSMAP 8400/8600xsv and ECHOMAP Ultra models.

Garmin’s Force electric trolling motor offers wireless integration with the company’s GPS and fishfinders, along with a built-in autopilot and an anchor lock capability that lets you hold the boat in position with automatic correction for wind, current or wakes from passing boats.

The primary steering control is through a wireless foot pedal, but an available floating remote control takes things up a notch with point-and-go gesture steering capability – just point the remote where you want to be and push the button to make it happen. An integrated CHIRP transducer in the motor housing works with the company’s GPSMAP 8400/8600xsv and ECHOMAP Ultra models for pinpoint control.

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Lowrance Ghost

Lowrance’s Ghost trolling motor offers complete integration with the company’s HDS Live, HDS Carbon and Elite Ti2 displays.

The Ghost electric trolling motor from Lowrance uses an advanced propulsion technology for silent operation with more thrust and greater run times. It also features complete integration with the company’s HDS Live, HDS Carbon and Elite Ti2 displays, along with a GPS anchoring capability to hold boats in position while you focus on fishing. The main controller is a user-configurable control pedal with fly-by-wire steering. A choice of nose cones on the motor’s lower unit lets buyers select from integrated downscan or 3-in-1 Active Imaging transducers.

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MotorGuide Tour Pro

MotorGuide Tour Pro is compatible with Lowrance, Simrad, Mercury VesselView, Garmin, Humminbird and Raymarine displays.

MotorGuide also offers a GPS anchoring capability with its Tour Pro electric trolling motor, along with chartplotter integration with compatible Lowrance, Simrad or Mercury VesselView displays. A built-in transducer offers full HD+ universal compatibility with Lowrance, Simrad, Mercury VesselView, Garmin, Humminbird and Raymarine displays, making the Tour Pro one of the most adaptable electric trolling motors on the market.

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Minn Kota Ultrex

Minn Kota’s Ultrex offers advanced features like Spot-Lock GPS anchoring, ultra-responsive power steering and a built-in Mega Imaging transducer.

A pioneer in the development of electric trolling motors, Minn Kota brings decades of engineering know-how to its top-of-the-line Ultrex. Tough, durable construction ensures long-term reliability while advanced features like Spot-Lock GPS anchoring, ultra-responsive power steering and a built-in Mega Imaging transducer compatible with select Humminbird displays provides photo-clear images of what’s under the boat in both down-imaging and side-imaging perspectives. I-Pilot and i-Pilot Link remote controls offer an alternative to the foot pedal steering, while the ability to link Ultrex to Humminbird’s One Boat Network deliversall sorts of additional options.

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Newport Vessels Kayak Series

Newport Vessels’ new Kayak Series trolling motors  are designed specifically for kayak fishing.

The Kayak Series electric trolling motor by Newport Vessels is quite different from the others on our list because it’s built specifically for fishing kayaks. Operating on the tried-and-true architecture of the NV Series trolling motors, it features a height-adjustable 24-inch shaft for correct depth placement and extended cabling to provide for flexible battery mounting options. Five forward speeds and three reverse speeds allow for a smooth and efficient propulsion with minimal battery draw, while a five LED light battery indicator shows the current charge of the single 12-volt battery required. The motor works with all lead acid deep cycle, AGM or Gel batteries, but is not set up for high-capacity lithium-ion cells since they’re not generally needed for kayak fishing applications.

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