Adding a trolling motor to your kayak will transform the way you kayak. It’s especially useful if you’re an angler, as it will allow you to navigate the waters without disturbing the fish you want to catch.
Trolling motors include an electric motor, a propeller, and a control system. That is where they vary – there are different control systems available.
While many people opt for foot control systems or tiller steer motors, one of the better options is a remote-controlled trolling motor. It gives you more flexibility, as you can move around on your kayak while still controlling the motor.
The short version: Haswing, Minn Kota, and Motorguide are the top producers of wirelessly controlled trolling motors. Read on to learn why!
Why Get a Trolling Motor? Trolling Motor Benefits
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Trolling motors have many benefits, regardless of which kind of vessel you are operating.
These motors have been popular for several decades already. They allow for better control and steering, and they even allow you to stay in one spot without using a physical anchor.
Trolling motors are becoming a lot more technologically advanced. As you will see in this article, trolling motors often use advanced GPS systems to stay in one spot, while other trolling motors have integrated sonar systems.
A lot of people use them with larger boats, but many kayakers have started to adopt trolling motors as well.
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If you’re a kayaker, you might be wondering if a trolling motor is worth it. Let’s go over some benefits, but let’s discuss price first, because that’s one of the things stopping many kayakers from getting a trolling motor.
Contrary to common belief, trolling motors don’t have to be that expensive. Yes, there are trolling motors that cost a few thousand dollars, but there are also many trolling motors that only cost a few hundred dollars.
Even if you are on a budget, you can find a trolling motor for around $500-600 that will serve you extremely well.
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Trolling motors are particularly useful for kayak fishing. If you’re simply interested in recreational kayaking, it might not be as useful.
After all, much of the fun in kayaking is the paddling part, which you won’t have when you use a trolling motor.
For fishing, though, it’s helpful, and here are the reasons why.
It Won’t Disturb the Fish
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Trolling motors are known for being quiet. As they get more advanced, they get even more efficient and quieter.
When you use a trolling motor, you can head to areas full of fish and avoid disturbing them, allowing you to get better catches. On the other hand, if you are paddling, you are likely to disturb a lot of fish underwater and chase them away.
You Can Cover More Ground
Paddling can be tiring. Sometimes, while fishing, it can be hard to get to areas with large schools of fish.
On the other hand, a trolling motor allows you to get from place A to place B quickly and easily, without much effort. It allows you to cover a lot of ground and catch more fish or different species of fish.
You Will Conserve Your Energy
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Paddling all day can be really exhausting! That’s especially true if you are paddling upstream, which might be necessary sometimes if you’re looking for the best spots to catch fish.
If you use a trolling motor, you will conserve energy – energy that you can use to reel in big fish.
That doesn’t mean you can no longer paddle. You can always turn off the motor and paddle when you feel like it, but you will at least have the option of taking a rest when you need to.
It will also help you avoid overworking yourself and getting a heat stroke.
You Can Carry More Fishing Gear
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When you overload your kayak with fishing gear, it will be harder to paddle and maneuver the kayak. Of course, you always have to make sure that you are not exceeding the stated weight limit of your kayak, but even if you aren’t, you might end up spending a lot of energy trying to paddle it.
Sometimes, though, you just have a lot of fishing gear to carry. Or, you caught several large fish, and they are weighing down your kayak, and you’re just exhausted after a long day of fishing and don’t want to paddle all the way back to the dock.
In that case, a trolling motor will really make your life a lot easier.
Disadvantages of a Trolling Motor
There are some downsides you should be aware of before getting a trolling motor.
First of all, they aren’t really suitable for light kayaks. It’s best to have a heavy kayak to support a trolling motor.
They will make your kayak heavier, which means you will need a good trailer and kayak cart to transport your kayak. I recommend getting a trolling motor with an ergonomic handle, which makes it a lot easier to carry.
If you tend to fish in shallow areas, note that a trolling motor isn’t the best idea. It could increase the draft of your kayak.
Finally, remember to check the battery power and keep track of its life cycle. A good trolling motor will have an indicator or display that shows you the power, so it doesn’t end up dying on you.
Types of Trolling Motors
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Trolling motors come in different styles and with different control systems. Let’s go over a few of them.
Foot Pedals
A common type of trolling motor control system is the foot pedal system. They come in many forms, and some have more advanced buttons and levers.
Foot controls are easy to use, because they free up your hands to do other important things, like fishing.
Nevertheless, they still restrict you in some sense. You still need to use your feet to control the motor, which means that moving around the boat might not be as easy.
Foot pedals can tire you out, but not quite as much as hand controls.
Hand Pedals
Hand control systems are typically very versatile and incredibly easy to use. It’s a lot easier to use your hands than your feet – that’s just the way humans are built – so they tend to give you more control over your steering.
At the same time, they are pretty confining, as they confine you to a single spot.
Remote Control Motors
Finally, we have trolling motors which can be controlled wirelessly.
These are the best, in my opinion, as they give you the most freedom. Wireless control technologies often allow you to “anchor” your boat using a GPS system, control the steering, adjust the speed, and even turn your vessel.
Since you can take the control with you, you are not so limited, and you can move freely around your vessel while still maintaining control.
Of course, wireless remote control systems do come with certain disadvantages.
For example, the remote control can die, which means you need to keep it charged. You might want to carry a power bank with you.
Some remote controlled motors, though, come with optional manual controls. For example, you can add a foot pedal control system, which would allow you to control your motor if the remote control dies.
Another disadvantage is that you can lose the remote control. The last thing you want is for it to fall into the water.
I recommend using a lanyard to hang it around your neck. That way, it is always within reach, and it won’t fall into the water.
You can even get a waterproof case for the remote control device, which would protect it in case you fall into the water yourself.
Things to Note About Installing a Trolling Motor on Your Kayak
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Before you install a trolling motor on your kayak, be aware of your state’s licensing regulations.
In some states, you might not need to register a kayak, but once you install a motor, it might fall into an entirely different category, requiring additional registration or licensing.
Also, if you plan on fishing, you will need a fishing license. This may apply even if you don’t plan to take the fish home and eat them but simply catch and release them.
Check your state’s licensing regulations regarding fishing and regarding using a motor-powered boat.
Another thing to consider is safety. It’s safe to install a trolling motor on your kayak – don’t worry.
However, one thing you should pay attention to is ensuring you install it properly. It must be securely fastened to your kayak so it doesn’t tilt or fall off.
Also, avoid making super sharp turns, because your kayak might flip over. Steering a kayak with a trolling motor can take a bit of practice, but it’s not that difficult.
7 Best Remote Control Trolling Motors Reviews
1. PARKHO Haswing Electric Trolling Motor – 12V, 55LB Version
The PARKHO Haswing electric Cayman motor is a powerful trolling motor that offers flexibility and versatility, which is why I’m including it first.
The motor comes in both black and white and offers the option of including a foot controller. This foot controller is in addition to the remote control and doesn’t replace it.
Instead, it offers more flexibility in case you want to use your feet to control the motor for whatever reason – perhaps you want to free up your hands.
Meanwhile, the remote control itself works up to a distance of 164 feet, which is obviously a lot more than you’ll ever need. To make life easier for you, hang the remote control around your neck with a lanyard.
You can recharge the wireless remote control when it runs out of battery.
The remote control allows you not only to adjust the speed but also to turn the boat.
The three-blade propeller has a max speed of 1250 revolutions per minute underwater, and it comes with anti-impact protection to protect it from impacts.
The motor can be rotated 360 degrees in any direction, which allows you to navigate forward and backward at any speed of your choosing. You can dial in the speed to adjust it.
Another awesome feature of this motor is the cruise control feature. When you set cruise control to be on, it will maintain a steady speed – just like cruise control on your car – freeing up your hands and legs to do other things, like catching those big fish.
The adjustable cast alloy aluminum shaft comes in 54” and 48” versions. The motor also features a stabilizer and a lift handle.
The 105AH deep cycle battery provides 1.5 hour top speed thrust, and the power reader display shows you the battery life, so you know when it is getting used up. This is important, because you don’t want to get stuck with a motor that isn’t working towards the end of your trip when it’s time to head back.
Meanwhile, the ergonomic handle makes it easy to lift the motor, carry it, and take it off your boat as needed. A quick release mounting plate is optional and can be purchased in addition to the motor and optional foot control system.
The weight of this 12V motor is 55 pounds.
2. PARKHO Haswing Electric Trolling Motor – 24V, 80LB Version
This PARKHO Haswing Cayman motor is similar to the previous one, but it is heavier and has more power. It produces 24V, weighs 80 pounds, and has a shaft that is 60 inches long.
There are some differences compared to the previous version, though. For example, the propeller features just two blades, not three.
Other things, like the power display reader and the replaceable fin, are similar. There is also the option of getting it with an added foot control in addition to the remote control.
It is a quiet motor and a pleasure to use, with a great user interface that makes it easy to control.
3. MotorGuide Xi3 Freshwater Trolling Motor
This bow-mounted MotorGuide Xi3 freshwater trolling motor comes in three versions in terms of the length of the shaft:
- 48” shaft
- 54” shaft
- 60” shaft
In terms of peak thrust, it comes in two versions: 55 pound peak thrust and 70 pound peak thrust.
The motor is quiet – so quiet, in fact, that MotorGuide claims it’s 40 percent quieter than the leading competitor. The motor produces 12 volts, and you can use the remote control to control it wirelessly.
At the same time, it is compatible with an optional foot pedal, so if you would like to add a foot control, you definitely can.
There is a LED display for reading important functions. In addition, you can get the motor with an optional GPS system and/or integrated sonar.
The release lever makes it easy to stow and release, and the three-blade propeller is powerful.
4. AQUOS Haswing Transom Trolling Motor with Remote Control
This Cayman B electric trolling motor has a 12V output, weighs 55 pounds, and is suitable for inflatable pontoon boats as well as regular fishing vessels and kayaks. With a variable speed, you have full control over how fast you are going – just adjust the speed using the stepless speed control.
The remote control feels comfortable in your hands, but you can also hang it around your neck for convenience. You can easily recharge it with a USB cable – just bring a power bank with you if you worry that the remote control will die while you are on a trip.
Overall, it’s a pretty quiet motor, and it also has a long battery life. The 0 – 85 degree tilting functionality helps you fish in more shallow waters by tilting the motor.
You can also adjust the depth height easily. The total shaft length is 26”, with an adjustable length of 16”.
The motor and remote control support cruise control, allowing you to maintain a consistent speed while still being able to adjust it when necessary. Note that while using the cruise control feature, you may have to adjust the direction at times due to wind interference or tides, which may throw you off course.
The power display shows three different levels of battery power – 100%, 50%, and 20%, so you will know when your battery is running low and can plan your fishing trips.
The wireless remote control fits easily in your hand and gives you an operating distance of up to 164 feet. Charge it with a USB cable when it is running out of power.
5. Minn Kota Terrova Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
This Minn Kota Terrova is designed for freshwater. It comes with an easy deployment system made of a mount and fall away ramps.
It is compatible with one of two wireless GPS control systems produced by Minn Kota. The first is the i-Pilot, which allows you to control the speed, steer your vessel, and set Spot-Lock.
Spot-Lock is a really cool technology that works like an anchor but with GPS. It uses GPS technology to lock your vessel in place, so it doesn’t go anywhere else.
The i-Pilot system also allows you to move your boat five feet in any direction from the place it is anchored by simply adjusting the Spot-Lock location five feet over.
The alternative to the i-Pilot is the i-Pilot Link. It has the same functionalities, but it has a smart touchscreen, while the original i-Pilot only has a small display that you control with buttons.
In addition, the i-Pilot Link allows you to wireless connect your motor to a Humminbird Fish Finder, turning it into a virtual remote control for your motor.
The battery meter included in the vehicle shows you the exact charge of your battery, so you always know when you are running low on power. The Digital Maximizer motor function allows to easily adjust the speed, allowing you to lengthen the lifespan of your current battery charge.
The motor also comes with a foot pedal, which comes with two control modes. You can use your toe and heel or the right/left buttons.
The foot pedal allows you to quickly activate Spot-Lock, toggle AutoPilot on and off, and more. It comes with an 18-foot cable for power with a waterproof connector plug.
6. Minn Kota Ultrex Freshwater Cable & Electric-Steer Motor
The Ultrex, like the Terrova, is produced by Minn Kota. That means that it is compatible with the wireless i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link control systems, which allow for GPS Spot-Lock, remote steering, variable speed control, and more.
AutoPilot is also available. Just set the direction you want to go, activate AutoPilot, and the trolling motor will continue heading in that direction without additional input from you, making corrections for disturbances caused by wind speed and other factors that may throw your boat off course.
The Digital Maximizer allows you to maximize your battery’s potential, increasing its lifespan by up to five times.
7. Garmin Force Trolling Motor 57″ Shaft
This force trolling motor from Garmin features a 57” shaft. It comes with a wireless remote control, allowing you to steer the boat using point and go gesture steering.
It’s a bit pricey, but it does include some advanced technologies, such as high-wide CHIRP sonar and ultra-high definition sonar with clear images.
The wireless remote control allows for anchor locking, autopilot steering, and more. Overall, it’s worth the price – it’s an extremely powerful and efficient motor that is also very quiet.
One interesting thing about this trolling motor is the wireless foot pedal. The foot pedal works like a traditional foot pedal, allowing for easy control, but it is wireless.
Final Thoughts
Trolling motors aren’t for everyone. However, if you are a serious angler, I would recommend getting a trolling motor to make it easier to catch fish.
A remote controlled trolling motor, in particular, will make your life a lot easier.
Before buying any motor, check the weight, voltage, and shaft length. Make sure they align with your goals, and read reviews to see what other people’s experiences have been like.
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