What size trolling motor?

[Big A]

16-18ft Aluminum Boat with 3 people fishing plus gear.

 

What size trolling motor is needed to keep vertical jig? 55pounds? 100pounds?

 

What do you use? 

 

Thanks for input/help

[AlwaysFishing23]

We run a 80lb terrova, Works perfect on a 18 foot tiller aluminum. I would say 80 should be fine.

[highlife4me]

I wouldn't go any less than an 80 thrust.  I have a 80 lb Terrova on my 1775 Impact and it works great for that.  In windy conditions I will run the outboard with troll control and use the Terrova just to steer to save the batteries.

[loadmaster]

Terrova 80lb thrust.  If you go that way, spend the extra money for the all the bells and whistles you can get.  Remember you will need to run two 12 volt batteries   

[ANYFISH2]

Well i will dissent a little, of course having more motor than nessessary doesn't hurt.

I have fished the spring nearly every year with a 55 or 65 lb thrust bowmount.  Only once did i have difficulties, it was rolling down stream, so i used the outboard, still sucked, got very wet.

I have fish the river a hand full of times without a trolling motor and have still fone extremely well.

[slammer]

#80 Terrova.  

[maxpower117]

Personally I'd stay away from minn Kota. I'd go with a Motorguide Xi5. The gps and spot lock is far superior. 

 

Trust me, I have a terrova and I hate it. 

[theiceman]

 I have a friend that has a 175 Aluma craft trophy and he runs a 55 I-pilot on it and it does just fine in the river.   Of course it's better to have more power than needed  but if that's all you can afford go with it.

[Big A]

Well, I'm extremely intrigued on the 55pnds ipilot working. That's what the boat has on it currently... I was thinking it would be too small.. it's good to hear some are having luck with that size.

 

And to clarify.. that's rolling into the current? 

[ANYFISH2]

14 minutes ago, Big A said:

Well, I'm extremely intrigued on the 55pnds ipilot working. That's what the boat has on it currently... I was thinking it would be too small.. it's good to hear some are having luck with that size.

 

And to clarify.. that's rolling into the current? 

Big A, you will be fine with the 55. 90% or better of the time.

 

I assume you plan on slip drifting.

If you are planning on trolling cranks or spinners against current going upstream, bigger would be better.  Batteries dont last long on high with 55's.

 

The rolling was a major wind(probably 25mph+) blowing down river (with the current).  It was miserable out there, i dont care what motor i would hqve had i would have struggled and still been miserable.