Trolling Motor and Fish Finder

[BigBassin144]

As some of you may know, my dad and I hhave a small 14' aluminum V-hull boat. This year we want to get it set up for fishing some of the electrics-only reservoirs we have around here.

I think we have figured out which TM and Fish Finder we want. It was hard since we have a budget of about $200 each. For the TM, I was thinking a Minn Kota Endura 46lb thrust, 36" shaft, 12 volt. My dad wants to get a stronger one incase we ever get a bigger boat. I know we would be just fine on a 30lb thrust motor, but that's no fun!

As for the Fish Finder, I was looking at the Hummingbird 565. We don't need a color screen so that keeps the cost down too.

The one thing I was wondering about is a Battery. What would you guys use. Can we run both these off one battery? What brand battery is good? Remember we are on a budget. I'd like to not get an extremely expensive battery.

Thanks for the help,

BB

[lunker-lander]

Longer shaft on the TM. We have a 52" shaft on our 14' V-Hull and it clears the bottom of the boat by about 12". I think a 36" would just push water into the front hull of the boat, rather than push it under and propel you. Make sure you mount the TM on the front if you want any control. A transom-mount will work, but not worth a **** in the winds. I'd also recommend MotorGuide for a brand.

Battery wise, you will need a Deep-Cycle for the TM, and a normal 12 volt for the DF. Depending on the TM, and you said it's only 46 lbs, the battery will be 12 or 24 volt. Most likely 12 with that power of motor.

Fish finder, good choice. We have the Eagle Fish Mark 480, (Thank you for the recommendtaion Zooker), and it is pretty sweet. It was on sale for $199.00 and it is a good marking unit. You should check it out if you change your mind...

Hope this helps,

-Lunk-

[BigBassin144]

LL, we can't get a bow mount trolling motor. That's why we are getting the Endura.

So we'll have ot buy two batteries? Man, they are expensive... and I think my dad has some Bait Monkey repelant somewhere, cause he never seems to bother my dad...

BB

[WTL]

You don't have to have 2 batteries, I have gone fishing many times in the same boat basically that you have with only 1 deep cycle to start/run the tm/and the depth finder. That was stupid of me, but I got by cause I didn't use the TM too much.

But yall are gonna be fishing electric only lakes, which is important. You don't need a second battery for the depth finder so much, it uses very little energy - but you might want a second battery just in case your TM starts to go weak.

I would say get a nice big deep cycle battery first and be gentle with the TM for a while (always have a paddle, fish if you can up current and upwind so that if your battery starts going weak you will drift back towards the launch) and then as soon as you can get a second battery which you could probably go cheaper on. I've even taken batteries that wouldn't crank cars anymore and used them for a little while longer in the boat just as a backup.

Transom mounts can quite easily be changed so that the prop is pointing the right way for mounting on a bow. But you might want it on the transom. When you have a TM on the bow with nothing in the back, it can be very difficilt to control as well. Might outta get a bucket and tie a rope to it to use as a drift anchor. Ideally, an outboard in the back adds weight and keel and makes controlling to fish easy, but you don't have that luxury. Having two guys in the boat will help. You will learn all this, weight distribution, factoring in the wind and current, how far you can go, where to launch...using TMs is a good way to get good at bassfishing because it makes you sit down and learn specific areas of water instead of blasting off to some other part of the lake every 15 minutes.

[lunker-lander]

Why can't you make a bow mount, BB144? Look at my post of our TM mount under Bass Boats and Trailers and cop off it.

-Lunk-

[Rebbasser]

BB, I have 2 565s-one on the console and one on the bow. Not the fanciest, but they do the job.

You can run both off one battery. If you want an inexpensive one that works well head to your local WalMart and get an Everstart. They are good batteries and won't break the bank. If you don't have one you will also need to invest in a battery charger. It is VERY important to put the battery on a charger as soon as you get through using it. The reason is if you wait until the night before you are heading out again the battery can take a set, which means it won't fully charge.

[lunker-lander]

Not to be critical and all, but don't you think you should have done this a couple months ago? I mean, the season is just around the corner...

-Lunk-

[WTL]

Lunk, some people don't have that luxury. I'm knee deep in outfitting right now too, and the season has begun here.

[BigBassin144]

LL, who knows how the weather is gonna be up here. For all I, or you, know, winter could hold on for another month or more. Or it could be in the 70's next month. We have some very screwed up weather here if you haven't noticed.

BB

[BigBassin144]

WTL, Reb, thanks for the help too. I have seen comercials for Optima batteries, but I figured they will be expensive.

Reb, that Everstart one sounds like it should do us good. And if we eventually get another, better one, we can use it as our back up.

Thanks again,
BB

[Jigger]

Originally Posted by WTL

You don't have to have 2 batteries, I have gone fishing many times in the same boat basically that you have with only 1 deep cycle

Ditto. You don't need 2 batteries. I had two once upon a time in a rig like you describe. Now I use only one. unless you're fishing something like an 8 hour day, one is enough. I usually fish 4 hours or so at a time in my Jon boat and one battery gets the job done.

[Rebbasser]

I have seen comercials for Optima batteries, but I figured they will be expensive.

They are.

[Cranebird]

If you run 2 batteries make sure you connect them up correctly.For staying 12 volt you can hook up as many batteries as you want as long as the terminals are positive to positive and negative to negative for 12 volt only trolling motors. I use (2) 27 series batteries for my 56 lb Minnkota on a 14 ' aluminum which is almost too big of a trolling motor but its better to have more power than you most generally need for those windy days you might need a little bit more and you will still have power to spare on those days.

[Cranebird]

I forgot to say for my 12 volt hand held trolling motor I installed a Big Foot foot control switch on my front deck . Its an intermitting switch as apposed to having it on all of the time by the handle control switch.It works a whole lot better.I see there is another brand out on the market that des the same thingbut I can't remember the name.Ivan

[RIP LIPPER]

I Just Got A Bigger Boat This Year, But I Used To Fish A 14' Alluminum Boat. The Only Thing About A Hand Till Trolling Motor Is Its Hard To Drive And Fish At The Same Time. Just A Thought, Good Luck!

[lunker-lander]

Let me explain....

Speaking of boats, here's what we did on the rig today....

• Re-wired the whole trailer.....
• Hand-painted the whole trailer with a 2'' bristle brush....
• Layed some more carpet....
• Put angle brackets on to fasten down platform....
• Put new tie-down across stern of boat....
• Sanded rims in preparation for painting.....
• Put new turn signals on trailer....
• Drove 1.5 hours for parts, beer, Red Bull, M&M's, etc...

For a total of six hours. Got out of school at twelve, and went to town...

-Lunk-

[BigBassin144]

Speakin gof fixing up boats, has anyone tried this?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...324&hasJS=true

Looks good, bit pricey, but would help with traction and muffling sound in the Aluminum Boat.

BB

[lunker-lander]

It called paint and sand mixed together!

-Lunk-

[barkelypup]

I used to fish out of a 12' jon boat and with a stern mounted t/m and I just turned the boat around and went backward. Worked Like a charm.

bP

[Cranebird]

My mind is mush this morning but after seeing this last post.you have to turn the handle control 180 degrees on the trolling motor to make it work normal.Alright its when you mount it on the bow that you turn the handle on it.I tighten the tension down on the shaft and control the power using the intermitting switch(Big foot switch is what I have).It leaves your hands free, Extend the handle and move it with your leg to steer.David Fritts was the first person I seen use a hand held trolling motor up front.The only time you need to adjust it is for more power or for the reverse selection. I hope this helps. C-Bird Seed

[lunker-lander]

What do you guys think of the Cablea's Deep Cycle batteries? The green sticker ones, 12V? Just wondering because this is what we got last night for our TM.


-Lunk-