What Are Trolling Motors? Here Is A Short Answer

By Trey Hodges


Having a secondary means of propulsion is always a good idea. It can be used in times when your main outboard engine conks out. So lets ask a real fisherman this interesting question - what are trolling motors? His answer will surely be that it is a secondary source of propulsion that provides mobility and stealth especially when the fisher is already busy landing more game fish.

A lot of trolling motors are electrically powered. Anyone would expect the motor to be gas powered but the battery powered device has been in existence since 1934. In that year, a patent was applied for an outboard motor using a powerful electric motor.

The design of the trolling motor has not changed much. The main mechanical component is a powerful electric motor that is connected to the propeller. Unlike gas powered outboard motors, the electric motor is submerged underwater and is directly connected to the propeller. This design allows water to cool the motor. It also eliminates the long propeller shaft and other complicated parts found in conventionally designed gas powered outboard.

By working in a battery powered mode, a moving boat using a trolling motor is very quiet. This does not scare and drive away the fish. The only thing quieter than the electric motor is the sound of paddling.

There are models of motors that are fully controllable while the owner is busy catching fish. These models have foot pedals that allow the owner to steer and adjust the motor's speed. The fisher has more opportunities of fishing with a foot controlled motor.

There are choices of how a motor can be mounted. Transom mounted units are very similar to regular outboards. There are also choices for bow mounted units. This option is more maneuverable than the rear mounted design. If your boat size does not allow you to have a main outboard unit and a trolling motor at the same time, then a rear mounted design is better.

It is advantageous to be able to move quietly as needed when fishing. So to answer what are trolling motors?, it makes a fisher able to move stealthily and easily steer the boat. When one's hands are busy operating the fishing rod, pedal controls make it possible to fully control the boat with the feet.




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