The Top 5 Trolling Motors for Bass Fishing in 2022
Fishing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
From bank fishing blue cats with my father at 4 years old, to today, I have always had a passion for fishing.
As I became a teenager and adult, bass fishing emerged as my favorite. The rush of landing a big largemouth, or fighting just about any size smallmouth is enough to excite any angler.
One thing every bass angler knows is that the ability to move off the bank and on to the water opens up an entirely different realm of possibilities.
Not to mention the thrill and relaxation of being on the water, especially on a beautiful day, is always rejuvenating.
Yet the serious and casual angler alike set sail for one main reason, the ability to reach every inch of the body of water.
Having the ability to touch every prospective hot-spot is perhaps the single biggest leap you can make when it comes to improving your bass fishing game.
An avid bass angler can take many forms. Some prefer rivers, some lakes, and still others creeks. Some like myself enjoy hitting all or a couple of these bodies, usually depending on the season.
Because there are a few different types of waterways bass anglers frequently traverse, it only follows that the market for quality trolling motors has responded in kind.
If you are in the market for a trolling motor, there are a few questions to be answered and some things to consider to help you along in the selection process.
How Do I Choose a Trolling Motor?
First and foremost, you should determine whether the motor’s purpose will be for propulsion or steering. If you are propelling a jon boat, inflatable, canoe, or kayak you will want to look into transom-mounted trolling motors. If you are looking to steer a jon boat or a larger fiberglass hull, you will want to look at bow-mounted trolling motors.
The second question you should consider is what type, or types of water will you be setting out on?
If you prefer running the local creeks and rivers in your 12 or 14 foot jon boat, you will be looking at a different power and pound thrust ratio than if you’re outfitting a 17 or 18 foot lake rig and are setting out on big water.
How Big of a Trolling Motor Should I Get?
After you’ve figured out what body or bodies suits your vessel the best, you can begin looking at the third question, which is how big, or better yet, how much power do you need?
Trolling motors have a wide variety of size and power, and your vessel is an important factor here. If you are a jon boater, you’ll likely require less power (unless you’ve constructed flooring or something else that adds weight) and can look in the 55lb thrust and under range.
If you are putting a bow-mount trolling motor on a bigger bass boat, you will probably want to look in the 80lb thrust and up range.
These are judgement calls, and you will have to make the best decision based on the construction and dynamics of your vessel.
If your bass boat is 15 or 17 feet you may get away with less than 80lb thrust, and likewise if you’re jon boat is 14 feet, you may want 45 or 55lb thrust, whereas vessels less than 14 feet can easily get away with 40 or 40lb thrust.
This is important to consider when thinking about time spent on the water. If you prefer to get there faster, and don’t mind the extra cost, then it behooves you to get a 45lb thrust over a 40 or 30lb thrust.
I have used a 30lb, 40lb, 45lb, and 55lb thrust transom mounted trolling motors to propel jon boats, on the same stretch of creek traveling from the same boat ramp to the same spot.
Each increase in thrust cut about 10-15 minutes off the time it took the 30lb thrust to make the journey.
This same principle applies when selecting a bow mount trolling motor. If you are the type, like me, who will occasionally encroach on your casting target; then you know the joys of dodging debris and trees.
Having a hearty thrust on your bow mount ensures that you can move quickly to keep your vessel and motor out of the weeds.
The aforementioned questions are crucial in addressing the fourth, which is power supply.
Most trolling motor brands offer various sizes with commensurate power. This is important, not only because of the reasons detailed above, but for considering your investment in power supply.
You will certainly want the proper battery and maintenance equipment for your trolling motor. Most trolling motors 55lb thrust or small operate at 12 volts, while your larger 80lb and up operate at 24 or 36 volts.
As a friendly reminder, deep cycle marine batteries are non-negotiable for proper lifespan on the water.
Now that we’ve answered some questions and covered the basics, let’s get out on the water and analyze some of The Top 5 Trolling Motors for Bass Fishing in 2022!
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THE BEST TROLLING MOTORS FOR BASS FISHING IN 2022
Newport Vessels Kayak Series
Kayak Series - Transom Mount - Saltwater Compatible
The Newport Vessels Kayak Series caught my attention because it is saltwater ready.
Most bass anglers think of inland, freshwater fishing for black bass; yet I didn’t want to leave out anglers who enjoy getting out in a bay or estuary to go for sea bass.
The Newport Vessels Kayak Series offers that versatility, as saltwater motors can certainly be used in freshwater too!
Like other transom mounts, the Kayak Series can be used on other transom mount vessels such as, jon boats, canoes, or an inflatable craft, such as the Intex Excursion 5 or the Colorado XTS inflatable pontoon fishing boat.
(If you’d like to find out more about the best inflatable boats on the market today, check out THE BEST INFLATABLE FISHING BOATS OF 2020)
For these reasons, I consider the Newport Vessels Kayak Series the “Jeep” of this list. In addition, I also like the gray color as it draws less heat from the sun than the standard black, keeping the motor head cooler.
The shaft for both the 36 and 50 lb thrust is a 24” fiberglass construction built for a lifetime on the salty seas. Additional saltwater proofing includes an all aluminium motor head, with corrosion resistant magnesium, zinc, and stainless steel hardware.
This trolling motor comes with 5’6” battery cables which is among the longest I’ve ever seen, and allows for greater freedom to place your battery where it’s weight is distributed best. This is a really nice feature, as proper weight distribution can mean the difference between an okay day and a great day in a canoe, kayak, or inflatable.
The final standout feature of the Newport Vessels Kayak Series is the 5-point LED battery meter. This is becoming standard equipment on all bow mounted trolling motors, and it’s nice to see Newport Vessels apply this technology to transom mounts.
Battery meters do exactly what it sounds like they do, keep track of how much juice is left in your battery. As someone who has lost power a few times, and had to row a jon boat down a lazy stream for a couple miles, I can tell you this is an invaluable addition.
These motors come with a two-year warranty, and Newport Vessels offers in house customer service Monday- Friday 9am-5pm PST. My recommendation is the 55lb thrust due to adding bodies of saltwater. You will want the extra power when dealing with riptides and oceanic currents.
FEATURES & SPECS:
24” fiberglass shaft offers veritable depth placement and lifetime durability
Saltwater rated with an all aluminum motor head, and corrosion resistant magnesium, zinc, and stainless steel hardware
Extra long cables - at 5’6”, these are among the longest cables I’ve seen on any transom mounted trolling motor, allowing for greater battery placement freedom
Newport Vessels are made in California and offer a two-year warranty.
In-house customer service 9am-5pm PST.
Weighs 23lbs, total height 37”
Max amp draw = 52 amps
Shaft = 24”X 1.15” in diameter
Battery Meter - 5 point LED
Garmin Force
Freshwater 80/100lb thrust
The Garmin Force is arguably the most top-of-the-line freshwater trolling motor on the market, and was designed with an 18 foot lake rig in mind. Weighing in at 109.1 pounds it is by far the heaviest motor on this list.
Garmin boasts that it is the most powerful and efficient on the market, while offering a quiet operating noise; and while Garmin is a highly trusted name in fish finding technology, they are now making a serious presence in the trolling motor market.
The Garmin Force motor offers wireless chartplotter connectivity, which allows the operator to program navigation and utilize an autopilot feature. This allows you to plot a course along the shoreline of a river or lake then focus on nothing but fishing.
The Force is also equipped with the game-changing anchor lock technology, which allows you to hit a button and the motor will hold you in place, even in open water!
Of course, this technology includes Garmin’s reputable fish finding gadgets such as high-wide CHIRP traditional sonar and built-in ultra high definition sonar. This is a trolling motor that not only gives you top-of-the-line performance, but also provides the most cutting edge fish finding technology around.
Garmin has worked hard to minimize the motor’s noise interference with the sonar by going to the brushless motor. Just as with drills and impact drivers, Garmin is utilizing the same technology to eliminate friction and produce less heat. This not only helps performance from jump street, it extends the life of the motor as well.
As if that wasn’t enough tech, the Garmin Force also flaunts a wireless foot pedal, providing great responsiveness, which makes it feel like a cable-connected pedal, while also allowing more freedom to customize your set up.
Garmin sticks with the leading industry trend by providing handheld remote control and the new point and go navigation that is gaining popularity in both the professional and amateur communities.
So much attention has been paid by anglers, that the Garmin Force won ICAST 2019 Best in Show.
I consider the Garmin Force the “Rolls Royce” of this list, because it offers all the luxury, all the bells and whistles, and all the efficiency an angler could want.
FEATURES & SPECS:
57” Shaft, built for the grandest of bass boats
Brushless motor head for long life and quiet operating noise
Wireless compatibility offers navigation, auto-pilot, and anchor lock technology
Built-in High Wide CHIRP sonar, and ultra high definition sonar
Can operate at 24 volts or 36 volts, allowing you to choose between time and power
Wireless foot pedal providing more set up customization
Remote control allows you to give you your feet a rest without having to bend over and grab the motor or handle.
Minn Kota Terrova
Freshwater Bow - Mount 80lb/24Volt
The Minn Kota Terrova is one of the most popular trolling motors on the market.
Not only does it provide many of the technological advances of other bow-mounted trolling motors, but it comes with the trusted Minn Kota name, which as of 2019 claimed 80% of the trolling motor market share.
The Minn Kota Terrova 80lb thrust offers 45, 60, and 72 inch shafts, which allows you to select the right motor for the right depth.
The fall-away ramp system and lift assist are serious perks for the professional trying to move quickly, or the retiree looking to enjoy rippin’ some lips without excess back pain.
The foot pedal has a low profile, but more importantly has a rotary speed dial, momentary/constant on toggle, and autopilot on/off toggle right at the touch of your foot. Plus, the foot pedal offers the “spot-lock” feature.
As offered in the Garmin Force under the name “anchor lock”, Minn Kota changed the playing field when they invented this technology and again in 2017 by working out the kinks of spot lock. Previous generations were known to drift as much as 20 feet off location before correcting.
2017 models and newer have demonstrated a complete 180 degree turnaround, and actually live up to the name spot-lock. I have operated this model on a 50,000 acre lake and can tell you the spot lock works brilliantly, even in choppy water.
The built in GPS not only makes the spot lock technology work, it allows for recording paths taken and control speed from a touch screen remote. This is made possible by the i-Pilot link system, which also allows for a virtual remote within Hummingbird Fish Finders.
The built in universal sonar offers excellent performance and reads your surroundings very accurately. From my experience with this motor, the sonar is very effective.
From giving you a clear picture of the structure and layout of the lake floor, to picking up various size fish at varying depths, this sonar performs well enough to make even the grizzled angler feel spoiled.
I used the 72” shaft, 24 volt, 80lb thrust model on a 18’ fiberglass hull bass boat, and it performed, but Minn Kota also offers a 112lb thrust/36 volt behemoth.
I consider the Minn Kota Terrova the “Cadillac” of the list because it offers a lot of the luxury and features of Garmin Force, while checking in at around $1,000 less.
FEATURES & SPECS:
72”shaft
Product shipping weight, 66lbs for 80lb thrust
Easy-to-deploy fallaway ramp and spring loaded lift assist for easy use and stow
Low profile electric foot pedal
Spot lock, rotary speed dial, and autopilot all controllable from the foot pedal
Built-in GPS with bluetooth compatibility allowing you to control speed and record paths
Optimal sonar performance with the built-in Universal Sonar 2, seals and protects your transducer and wiring
Wireless remote allowing for foot and bend free navigation
Minn Kota Endura C2
Transom Mount Freshwater Trolling Motor w/ Lever-Lock Bracket
Once again I am tapping industry leader Minn Kota.
The Endura C2 is perhaps the best performing transom mount trolling motor, at the best value on the market.
I have operated a 30, 40, 45, and 55 lb thrust Endura C2 and they certainly all perform incrementally appropriate.
Perhaps the most handy feature of the Endura C2 is the lever-lock bracket. This not only allows you freedom in setting your propulsion angle, it also comes in incredibly useful when navigating creeks or rivers, with frequent floating debris and submerged hazards.
The design is so ergonomic that it’s easy to pop the motor up away from hazards while in the same motion, dialing down the propeller to off with the telescoping tilt twist tiller handle. T
his is standard technology on transom mounts, but pairing it with the lever lock bracket makes the Endura C2 a stress free motor in what can be a motor-disabling environment.
The depth is easily adjustable as well, with just the turn of a screw (I recommend having a hold of the motor head or shaft while doing this to prevent banging up the motor and possibly your propellers).
Another feature of the Endura C2 that I like is that it is easy to work on. If you’ve used trolling motors before, you have likely dealt with vegetation or some yahoo’s cut fishing line getting entangled in the propeller.
If you have an adjustable or proper size wrench on-board then it will be no problem. Just pop the nut and washer off, place the propeller safely on board and remove the debris.
This not only simplifies what can be a day altering hassle, it hastens the process (I have done this in less than 5 minutes).
These motors are durable too. I’ve run every model I’ve operated on rocky creeks, and the Endura C2’s hearty propellers live up to the motor’s name.
The Endura C2’s versatility is not to be overlooked either. I have seen guys in jon boats who have small outboards and were using this motor as a bow-mount.
It is certainly not designed to be a bow mount, but if you construct the proper surface for the lever lock bracket to grip on, and you don’t mind hand operating it, it can be used this way.
The Minn Kota Endura C2 is easy to fix, tough, ergonomic and versatile in operation, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Combine that with its affordability, the trusted Minn Kota name, and a 2-year warranty; and you have the “work truck” of this list.
FEATURES & SPECS:
30” Shaft, allowing for greater depth variation (36” and 42” shafts as thrust goes up)
Offered in 30,40,45,50, and 55lb thrust, all operating at 12 volts (30 weighs 17lbs)
6” telescoping, tilt-twist tiller handle allowing for great speed control while still being comfortable to operate
Lever-lock bracket mount = sturdy and your best friend on this motor
8 speed (5 forward, 3 reverse) The speed variations are legitimate with 5th and 3rd reverse being surprisingly powerful
Simple and effective design that’s easy to repair including: The Endura C2 trolling motor, a 30” shaft, a lever-lock bracket mount, a prop pin, prop nut, and a prop washer, same with the propeller, a pin, nut, and washer THAT IS IT
2-year warranty
Lowrance Ghost
Ultra-Quiet Freshwater Trolling Motor
The Lowrance Ghost freshwater trolling motor is another example of a fish finding powerhouse making strides onto the trolling motor market, and doing a really great job of it. The Lowrance team spent years developing this motor and what has resulted is a motor that plays up performance over gadgets.
According to Lowrance, they questioned various anglers and developed the motor based upon the most demanded features.
What resulted is a sleek and uncluttered design with a 47” shaft. A programmable foot pedal, allowing you to choose which buttons show you your battery level, your anchor/heading mode, access a waypoint, or activate your anchor or power poles.
It also offers “plug-and-play Lowrance sonar” the motor includes an HDI nose cone transducer, with Lowrance CHIRP sonar and down scan imaging, upgrading to include side scan is available.
The most popular and appealing feature of the Lowrance Ghost is it’s operating noise, which is basically none. Lowrance boasts it’s the most quiet trolling motor ever made, and they’re hanging their hat on this feature.
This is an important feature to me, because as I said before, I sometimes like to creep in closer than usual to my casting targets. The Ghost is the premier trolling motor for going unnoticed.
This has the added bonus of emitting virtually zero interference with your sonar readings as well, putting the Ghost ahead of all else in terms of silent motor technology.
Lowrance spent more than four years and 10,000 hours testing this motor, and it shows.
They’ve taken the brushless motor to a new standard of quiet, and by slimming down the technological gadgets, Lowrance has produced a motor that feels non-invasive like a simple old school mount, while delivering the tech that matters, such as “precision anchoring”, which is Lowrance’s version of Minn Kota’s spot-lock and Garmin’s anchor-lock.
The final reason the Lowrance Ghost claimed the top spot for this year’s list is that in conjunction with the quiet motor, Lowrance has sacrificed nothing in terms of power or energy usage.
In fact, Lowrance claims the Ghost has 25% more thrust than leading competitors, and 60% better run-time efficiency. This made the Lowrance Ghost my favorite motor on this list.
As someone who cares less about tech and more about performance and being imperceptible to fish, this motor is hands down my prefered type of bow-mount trolling motor.
Because the Lowrance Ghost delivers a sleek and classic look and feel, combined with cutting edge noise prevention and energy saving technology; it earns the moniker of “Tesla” of this list.
FEATURES & SPECS:
47” Shaft
Available in 24 or 36 volt
Maximum thrust is listed as 97lbs on 24 volts and 120lbs on 36 volts
Brushless motor allows for silent operating
Plug-and-play sonar allowing you to expand the motor’s technological reach
Dual action gas spring lift assist
Internal GPS aiding the tech that matters
The motor comes with a 3 year warranty and Lowrance offers a lifetime warranty on the shaft
“Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world. It gives you the opportunity of being totally immersed, turning back into yourself in a good way. A form of meditation, some form of communion with levels of yourself that are deeper than the ordinary self”
-Ted Hughes
Trolling motors are a must have for any bass angler putting a vessel on the water. When picking the right one for you, keep in mind that proper performance and lifespan often depends on how you care for your motor.
Take the time to clean it up and check it out before and after you take it on the water, and it will reward you with minimal problems and long operational life.
Even though most warranties only cover 2 or 3 years, you can run any one of the motors on this list for much longer with proper care.
If you’re as passionate about fishing as I am, you’ll be glad you went with a hassle free motor rather than a cheap alternative that will cause headaches when you want them least.
Remember, you can’t catch your personal best unless you’ve got a line in the water. I bid you tight lines my friends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryan Smith is an avid angler and outdoorsman based in central Kentucky.
Ryan spends between 60 and 110 days fishing each year.
He is a carpenter by trade.
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