Northwest Fishing Reports

My 18 foot fish and ski bass boat needs a new bow mount trolling motor. I sold my other bow mount, but wasn't sure what size shaft it had. My boat is a Javelin/Stratus. What shaft length do you think I need for a new bow mount. I'm looking at the Terrovas from Minn Kota. Keep me posted and thanks, David

Measure from the top of the bow, down to just under the trailer frame. Add 6", that should work. Mine has the motor just under the frame, with about 4" of height adjustment left.

50 inch min-60 inch max, if your in rough water alot go 60inch shaft most bass boats go a max of 50inch shafts, 60 is super long though.

just eye balling, I'm guessing u should go with the 54" model.

Please consider the longest length you can find. You don't need to put the motor all the way down, but if you are fishing in 3' rollers then it will be important to have the extra length available to keep the motor in the water.

If it is too long, you'll have the head sticking up a bit high, and you could hit it with the lure or rod tip while roll casting and such. You'd would just have to be aware of that and pay attention.

I'd say 50 min. The fortex line is pretty good also.

Thanks for the replies guys. Tight Lines, Dreamflyfishing

OK, I've narrowed it down to a bow mount over 50 inches in shaft length, but have been wrestling with getting what I'm used to - a foot controlled unit or getting the I-pilot. What do you guys think?

I'd say get them both. It can't hurt to have a back up system. I believe they all come with a foot control at least as an option.

From the Minn Kota web site:
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... water.aspx

Terrova motors: i-Pilot for Terrova works in conjunction with your foot pedal.

The i-Pilot trolling motor system is sold as an accessory and is compatible with all Terrova, PowerDrive V2, Riptide ST and Riptide SP trolling motors. Select Terrova and PowerDrive V2 trolling motors do come with the i-Pilot trolling motor system pre-installed.

If your looking for the flexibility of switching back and forth between foot control and remote I-Pilot you have to go with the Terrova. Can't do it with the Power Drive V2, which gives the option of one or the other, but not both. I contacted Minn Kota directly and confirmed this when I was considering adding I-Pilot to my PDV2. I opted to stick with the foot control until the early adopters render verdict on I-Pilot reliability.

Jeff, that's what my research has also shown. I was hopeing to stick with the PowerDrive V2 as I prefer the thinner mount. The Terrova's mount larger/more bulky on the bow. I have limited space and don't want it bulging over on the fish and ski. Can you let me know what you think of the PowerDrive foot pedal with that electric steering etc. I am used to a MotorGuide foot pedal, so the PowerDrive design looks different to me. My hesitation with I-Pilot has been similar to yours with the complexity and chance of issues arrising, which may decrese fishing time, plus for some of my tight and shallow bays I need to be on the foot pedal big time and don't want to fumble with a hand held device; that hands busy on the rod.