Exploring the Advantages of Minn Kota Trolling Motors for Enhanced Fishing Experiences

Many people may be surprised to learn that the Minn Kota electric trolling motor was actually invented by O.G. Schmidt right in Fargo, North Dakota, way back in 1934. The name Minn Kota itself cleverly combines the states of Minnesota and North Dakota, paying homage to their close proximity as Fargo straddles their border.

Over the course of 80 years, Minn Kota’s electric motors have come a long way, completely revolutionizing the world of fishing. What started as one man’s brilliant idea has transformed the modern fishing experience into something extraordinary. Originally designed to provide a quiet and hassle-free trolling option on the Great Lakes without relying on a traditional fuel-run engine, Minn Kota has evolved into so much more.

Today, Minn Kota is synonymous with innovation and progress in the fishing industry. Their electric trolling motors offer unparalleled maneuverability, precise control, and efficient navigation on the water. It’s a true American success story, showcasing how a single idea can redefine an entire industry and propel it into a new era of fishing excellence.

In today’s world, Minn Kota offers a wide range of products, from trim tabs to trolling motors. One of their most commonly seen products is the bow-mount motor, often found on the front of sport fishing vessels. I happen to own one myself and frequently use it out in the bay. It’s amazing how many fellow fishermen approach me, curious about what I use it for. Many assume it’s only suitable for targeting bream in rivers and estuaries or for trolling in lakes.

While the Minn Kota trolling motor has undergone significant technological advancements over its 80-year history, one game-changer was the introduction of I Pilot in 2010. This wireless GPS trolling system was the first of its kind, revolutionizing the way fishermen operate their motors with endless advantages.

Personally, I have the Minn Kota I Pilot Link, a slightly more advanced version that allows connection with a Humminbird GPS unit. However, for this review, I’ll focus on the I Pilot as its key features apply to both the I Link and the new Ulterra, which I’ll delve into later in this article.

While controlling your boat with a bow-mount motor has always been advantageous, the I Pilot took it to an entirely new level. There are two main functions that you’ll find incredibly useful with the I Pilot: the Spot Lock feature and the Auto Pilot feature. Let me walk you through the advantages and various capabilities of these features in more detail.

The I Pilot Link remote features a full LCD screen that provides effortless control and navigation.

Trolling with the I Pilot and I Link systems offers significant advantages, no matter if you’re targeting trout, yellowbelly, or Murray cod. Achieving stealth and maintaining slow speeds are crucial for successful trolling. While modern four-stroke engines can be relatively quiet and offer lower speeds, they can’t match the speed control and stealth capabilities of a Minn Kota trolling motor. With my Minn Kota, I can effortlessly troll along shallow edges, maneuver around bends, snags, and structures without the fear of damaging the prop or gear box by accidentally hitting something. Moreover, I can do it all stealthily, without spooking the fish. Unlike an engine prop, which has limited trim capabilities, I can easily adjust the depth of my Minn Kota to suit the conditions.

The ability to precisely control the movement of your boat opens up a whole new realm of fishing opportunities. With the Minn Kota I Link, which can be connected to a Humminbird GPS/sounder unit, you can plot a course while trolling, and the Minn Kota will automatically keep you on that desired bearing. Even with the standard I Pilot, you can simply press the Auto Pilot button on the motor, point it in your desired direction, and make adjustments as needed. There’s no need to constantly work the motor to maintain your course.

No need to pull and deploy, it’s all automatic on the Ulterra.

The ability to position your boat precisely without the need for anchoring becomes a reality with Minn Kota. Equipped with a Minn Kota, boats gain the advantage of moving upstream while continuously casting in the prime strike zone. Moreover, you can position your boat right against the bank, ensuring that you’re always casting towards fish-holding structures. This capability extends to working along estuary edges or any type of structure in various waterways. By manually steering the motor or engaging the Auto Pilot button, the motor moves in the direction you desire, allowing multiple anglers to constantly cast at fresh ground and structures. This hands-free fishing experience keeps the boat in the strike zone, maximizing your chances of success.

Gone are the days when you needed a drift chute to slow your drift. With Minn Kota, you can go directly against the drift, enabling you to navigate in directions and waters that were once inaccessible. Importantly, it places you exactly where the fish are.

This remarkable feature is not limited to lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Even in open blue waters, when working a reef with soft plastics, the Minn Kota allows you to effortlessly maneuver up, down, and around the reef without drifting off or away from the structure. This level of control ensures that you can effectively target fish in any fishing environment.

The Minn Kota I Pilot, I Pilot Link, and the new Ulterra boast a remarkable feature known as Spot Lock. Spot Lock serves as an advanced anchoring system that keeps your boat in a fixed position, regardless of wind, current, or river flow. The advantages of Spot Lock are numerous, and here are a few examples of how I personally utilize it. When targeting snapper in 15 meters of water, I can spot lock directly over the school of fish detected on my sounder and repeatedly cast to them. Similarly, when encountering an enticing snag like a fallen tree in a river, I can spot lock in front of it, allowing for precise casting along its length. This technique proves invaluable when pursuing fish that respond well to reaction strikes, such as trout, cod, bass, and golden perch.

Spot Lock also proves useful for holding position over shallow squid grounds. By fan-casting around the boat without causing any disturbance, I can work an entire reef system effectively without needing to move.

One of the most advantageous aspects of Spot Lock is when working secondary banks, particularly for species like bream and flathead. These fish often position themselves on secondary banks that drop off from the main bank visible from the shore. With the Minn Kota, I can spot lock just in front of the bank and present lures along its length. After thoroughly fishing one section, I can effortlessly move further along the bank, spot lock again, and repeat the process.

These various applications of the Minn Kota have helped me catch countless fish that would have been otherwise unattainable. Another notable feature of the Minn Kota is its ability to retrieve lures from snags and trees. Although it requires quick maneuvering with the remote, it has undoubtedly saved me from losing many lures!

Ease of Use and Durability

Now that we’ve explored the advantages of the Minn Kota, it’s important to discuss its performance and durability. I have personally owned mine for nearly three years, and I can confidently say that it exceeds my expectations. It’s incredibly user-friendly, even with my rigorous use. I’ve unintentionally bumped it against rocks and trees in shallow water on numerous occasions, yet it remains in excellent condition. My Minn Kota boasts 80lb thrust and operates with two 12-volt batteries. I rarely need to recharge them, despite frequent use, making it highly efficient in terms of battery consumption.

Considering its ease of use, durability, and ability to swiftly move my 900kg boat at full speed, the Minn Kota has undoubtedly proven to be a strong and reliable unit.

What’s New? Ulterra and Terrova

Minn Kota has introduced two exciting innovations this year: the Ulterra and the Terrova. The Ulterra is an exceptional addition to the Minn Kota lineup as it features an auto-deploy and stow system for the shaft and motor. I recently had the opportunity to test one of the freshwater versions, and I must say, it’s truly impressive. While the convenience of this feature may seem luxurious or lazy to some, it’s undeniably awesome, and I’m eager to get my hands on one. With the Ulterra, there’s no more arguing over who will lower or raise the motor—it takes care of that for you. You can even watch a demonstration of the Ulterra’s capabilities on their YouTube ad.

The other notable innovation from Minn Kota is the Terrova 112. With 112lb of thrust and a 60-inch shaft, the Terrova is designed for big boats. This means anglers with substantial offshore center consoles can now benefit from using a Minn Kota in offshore fishing scenarios, completely transforming the way they approach offshore and pelagic species.

In conclusion, owning a bow-mount Minn Kota opens up a whole new world of possibilities for fishing, regardless of whether you have a small tinny or a 25-foot center console. Minn Kota products are truly amazing and cater to a wide range of needs, making them a game-changer for anglers of all kinds.

HITS:

• Ease of use: Minn Kota products are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free fishing experience.
• Reliability: Minn Kota motors are known for their durability and dependability, allowing anglers to trust their performance on the water.
• Enables you to fish anywhere: With Minn Kota, you have the freedom to navigate and fish in various environments, from lakes and rivers to offshore and pelagic waters.
• Excellent battery consumption: Minn Kota motors are designed to optimize battery usage, providing extended operation time for a more enjoyable fishing trip.
• Expands fishing opportunities: By offering precise control, maneuverability, and specialized features, Minn Kota opens up new fishing opportunities and enhances your chances of success.

MISSES:

• Saltwater version only available in white: Currently, the saltwater version of Minn Kota motors is limited to the color white, potentially limiting aesthetic preferences.
• I Pilot Link remote is too big to wear all day: Some users may find the I Pilot Link remote to be bulky for extended wear throughout the day, impacting convenience and comfort.

Overall, the Minn Kota system presents numerous advantages, including ease of use, reliability, versatility in fishing locations, excellent battery efficiency, and expanded fishing possibilities. However, it’s worth noting that the saltwater version is currently limited to the color white, and the size of the I Pilot Link remote may be a consideration for those seeking prolonged wearability.