Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum
About Fishing Products including Make Your Own => Bass Fishing Products => Topic started by: Duke on September 03, 2007, 07:52:48 AM
Anyone have any experience or word of mouth of the Motor Guide Wireless trolling motor? Its about time I get a new TM and I'm curious about these. Seems to me it would open up some more space for me in the front. What I have noticed is that they don't have the #s of thrust as the others (but 80# is enough for me) and they're cheaper than the Tour Digital Series - I'm not sure why this is.
Any reviews would be appreciated!
Can't comment on the MG, but if you're looking for an electric steer trolling motor, take a look at the Minn Kota Terrova or the Power Drive V2 while you're at it, and compare with the MG. One of the main things to look at with any of the electric steer motors is the stow and deploy mechanism. Of the 3 (Terrova, PDV2, and Motorguide), the Terrova has the easiest stow and deploy, and it's also available in 80lb and 101lb thrusts. Also, because of the way the electric steer motor are designed, you'll definitely want to get one with a built in transducer. There is no "clean" way to mount an external ducer without interfering with the stow/deploy. Keep in mind that if you're currently used to the cable steer type motors, it might take you awhile to get used to the electric steer. Number one, you can't "feel" the motor turn. I know I run my trolling motor (MinnKota MaxPro101) most of the time without looking at it--as in I know which way I'm going by the position of the pedal. With an electric steer you can't do that. Also, cable steer motors are more responsive to changes in direction. While the newer versions of the electric steer have much faster resposnse time than the originals, they're still not quite as fast as a cable steer. Advantages to electric steer include Autopilot and wireless Co-Pilot, which are great features for trolling or holding the boat in current without having to "stand" on the trolling motor to hold position. The wireless pedal and Co-pilot accessories allow you to control the boat from anywhere in the boat, which makes them popular for guys fishing for salmon/steelhead in the rivers, and trolling for walleye.
Just remember, you get what you pay for. And if there's one thing on a boat that gets the most use in bass fishing, it's the trolling motor. So don't skimp there!
Thank you for that detailed response. I will take a look at those as well. :)
I ran savage's terrova a couple of weeks ago. It took me awhile to get used to but once I did it worked great..