 Best size trolling motor for river currentJump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 | Previous :: Next |
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Whjw |
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Member Posts: 7 (74.221.189.88) | Is a 24v 80lb trolling motor with spot lock enough thrust to hold a 16ft aluminum V hull boat still in the current on the river below the river park? Looking at a new trolling motor and would like to use spot lock but don’t want to spend the money if it’s going to just run the batteries way down. I’ve heard spot lock can drain the batteries. I don’t need it to hold in the super heavy current right below the dam. I normally fish down river a ways but there are still some areas that have decent strength current where I fish. A 36v system is out of the question for my boat. Too many batteries and I don’t have the money to spend on lithium’s in addition to a new Trolling motor. Thanks in advance for your opinions. | ||
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| Whjw |
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Member Posts: 7 (74.221.189.88) | I’ve thought about an anchor but I think it would be really dangerous with all the wakes from boats constantly running by. It’s already sketchy when a booze cruiser flys by and about swamps me. If I was anchored their wake could come over the sides | ||
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| Fshn Cpa |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 910   (68.169.162.208) | 80 lbs should be plenty. I don't know much about the spot lock other than I would like to get it. | ||
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| FishingwithRusty |
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Expert Posts: 2005  Location: Harrison, TN (152.130.8.6) | get the biggest you can afford, you can always turn it down but when youre maxed out thats all you got. ----- There is NO substitute for time on the water!! True South Custom Lures "Fish with Confidence!" Piscifun "Go with Family" Taipan Rods | ||
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| fischnrod |
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Addicted to CFF Posts: 5426   Location: dallas bay/soddydaisy (68.53.207.82) | Whjw - 2/8/2021 9:27 AM I’ve thought about an anchor but I think it would be really dangerous with all the wakes from boats constantly running by. It’s already sketchy when a booze cruiser flys by and about swamps me. If I was anchored their wake could come over the sides I would not anchor below the dam anywhere as it can be very dangerous in current flow . Current can and will pull an anchored boat under water if it hangs on bottom and the current is strong enough | ||
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| 31airborne |
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Veteran Posts: 282 Location: Blacksburg, VA (47.44.216.202) | I'm with Rusty - if you're gonna be fishing in current get the strongest TM you can afford. I agree 80 lbs should be enuff for the rig you describe but it'll get a workout. You'll want some good batteries powering it. | ||
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| Aries 181 |
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Expert Posts: 1413  Location: Chattanooga (104.251.252.96) | 31airborne - 2/8/2021 5:10 PM You'll want some good batteries powering it. Two group 31's would be my choice. Bill ----- 03 Aries 181 pushed by an 03 XR6 | ||
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| N2Ratfishing |
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Member Posts: 14 Location: Clarksville TN (162.247.55.119) | I have an 18' aluminum with an 80 pound Ultrex. It works fantastic everywhere I've used it. I fish the Cumberland River all the time. I swear it uses less battery holding in the current with spot lock than I can manage manually controlling it. The electronics work! I've had the Maxxum 70 that came off sitting in the garage for two years. I kept it in case I got a bad Ultrex. I have two Duracell AGM31s and have yet to wear them down in a day. | ||
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| Whjw |
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Member Posts: 7 (74.221.181.138) | Thank you everyone that’s all very helpful info. I’m looking at the terrova. I currently have a 50 lb 12v powerdrive and don’t mind the electric steer so I don’t see a big enough reason to go for the ultrex for the extra money. | ||
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| muskyman |
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Regular Posts: 50 Location: Loudon TN (108.68.3.110) | Go big and never look back. This way your trolling motor will not have to work as hard and last longer. | ||
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| stratos21xl |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1108 (184.174.158.245) | Depends on the amount of current and how long you plan to fish in it. 80lb troller with two group 31 batteries might get you 6 hours max if you keep spotlock on all day. If they are pulling more than 50,000 cfps no trolling motor other than MAYBE a 36 volt with 3 100 ah lithiums will last. Not to mention if you keep it on spot lock and the trolling motor stays at full power the entire time the batteries will get weaker and weaker due to the discharge properties of lead acid/AGM batteries. Lithiums maintain basically full power until you have nothing left at all. Either way if you fish down there a lot and in heavy current, the easiest and cheapest option is to buy an anchor. I learned this lesson the hard way wasting money on high dollar batteries to only get another 30 minutes to an hour more fishing time. | ||
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| Aries 181 |
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Expert Posts: 1413 Location: Chattanooga (104.251.252.96) | I wonder if a drift sock would help slow a boat down? Bill ----- 03 Aries 181 pushed by an 03 XR6 | ||
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| N2Ratfishing |
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Member Posts: 14 Location: Clarksville TN (162.247.55.119) | A drift sock does no good in current, but. They work excellent on the lake etc...when the wind is blowing. They are good for drift fishing. | ||
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| Lx545 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 371 (24.158.190.239) | I have a 17ft triton aluminum boat. I have an ulterra 80lb and have never lacked for thrust. In the current below the dam I usually run between 5-7 on my speed. I havent had any trouble with my batteries running down and I run group 29. The key I believe is to have the proper wiring size. If the wiring is too small the amperage draw will be higher. I went with 6 guage wiring for my setup and have never had a dead battery after fishing all day. Also for a devils advocate scenario, if you over power with your trolling motor you better be careful. Mine on 10 will pitch you out of the boat if you arent careful of the motor direction. | ||
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| ChooChooSnakeMan |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 937 Location: Ooltewah (173.247.16.242) | Lx545 - 2/11/2021 7:12 AM I have a 17ft triton aluminum boat. I have an ulterra 80lb and have never lacked for thrust. In the current below the dam I usually run between 5-7 on my speed. I havent had any trouble with my batteries running down and I run group 29. The key I believe is to have the proper wiring size. If the wiring is too small the amperage draw will be higher. I went with 6 guage wiring for my setup and have never had a dead battery after fishing all day. Also for a devils advocate scenario, if you over power with your trolling motor you better be careful. Mine on 10 will pitch you out of the boat if you arent careful of the motor direction. I think this is good advice. I have a 17' Lowe tin boat with a 75 lb MG trolling motor. It doesn't have spot lock so I can't comment about how much spot lock saves or uses. I can tell you that if you are down past Chatt State and the flow is less than 50K that my 75 lb motor does just fine. It isn't the funnest fishing fighting all that current but my motor has 1 through 5 speed setting, it is 24v and I use (2) Walmart size 29 wet cell batteries. If I'm right in the current I have to set it on 4 if the current is 50K but when it is around 20 to 25K which I like then I can use 2 and 3 speed settings and fish all day with no problem. As JJ said above, make sure your wire size is correct and that your connections are clean and tight. ----- ChooChooSnakeMan Skeeter FX 21 Yamaha 250 SHO / Lowe Stinger 17HP Merc 90 Optimax | ||
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