If you’re a fisherman, you know how frustrating it is that your Stacer boat will get blown away like a plastic bag by the wind. It is an annoying experience to deal with this, especially if you found a good spot as your cover. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to invest in a trolling motor that you can mount on your vessel and is big enough to handle your boat.

This equipment is extremely helpful while fishing but you need to understand how to use it properly. Once you understand how you can use a trolling motor efficiently, fishing will just be a breeze for you.  

Getting to Know Trolling Motors

Trolling motors are small electric motors located on the bow or stern (sometimes both) that are used for moving a fishing boat through the water quietly to avoid spooking the fish. Regular boat engines, such as inboard and most especially outboard motors are rackety and produce a lot of wakes which fish try to stay away from. 

Trolling motors largely break down into two groups, bow mounts and transom mounts. Bow-mounted trolling motors are the most common way to mount trolling motors to boats intended for fishing. Transom-mounted trolling motors are typical on smaller boats such as Stacer tinnies and Stacer Prolines They are sometimes used as a primary or secondary mode of propulsion.

Trolling motors come with either foot control or hand control mechanisms. Foot control allows you to operate the motor hands-free. Meanwhile, hand-control options are operated with a tiller handle, making them easier to manage when you need precise maneuvering.

Trolling motors offer multiple speed settings as well. Start at a slow speed and gradually increase it until you find the right pace for your desired movement.

Electronic steering is the latest in modern trolling motors. They can either be controlled by foot, a remote, or even by GPS. Some higher-end versions can even self-deploy and follow a predetermined path on command. The drawback with electronic trolling motors is they are expensive but a lot of anglers find them efficient to use, especially with modern small boats.

The Basics of Using a Trolling Motor

To steer a trolling motor, use the tiller or foot control, depending on the model. It’s essential to get a feel for how the motor responds to your inputs. Practice steering in open water before venturing into tight spaces or near obstacles.

When deploying the motor ensure it’s safely lowered into the water to the desired depth. Adjust the propeller depth to prevent it from hitting the bottom and causing damage.

Trolling motors can be used for controlled anchoring, especially in shallow waters where traditional anchors might not be suitable. Deploy your trolling motor and use it to keep your boat stationary.

Keep an eye on water conditions, such as wind and currents, which can affect the performance of your trolling motor. In some cases, you may need to adjust the motor’s speed or position to compensate for external forces.

Trolling motors can also be used for controlled anchoring, especially in shallow waters where the usual anchors might not be totally suitable to use.