Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 38
by Ross Robertson
photos by the author
A bow mount trolling motor is the backbone of a fishing
boat for many anglers. Knowing how important bow mount
trolling motors can be is one thing but being able to choose
the best one for your individual situation can be a different
story. Many factors need to be considered before the
purchase, but four key things need to be answered before
you even start to shop for a bow mount trolling motor.
Size
The actual size of the mounting bracket on each motor is
different, just like the mounting surface on the bow of ten
random boats. Make sure you have enough surface area on
the bow of your boat to securely mount the motor. Many
manufacturers offer removable plates to allow the motor
to be removed for storage or to make it possible to put
the cover on. Some of these brackets also make it easier to
secure the motor itself.
Power
More power is better in most situations, but most boats
only have limited space for batteries. Today’s trolling motors
are available in 12-, 24- and 36-volt models. A good guide
38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2013
is 12 volts for 16-feet and under boats, 24 volts for 16- to
18-feet boats and 36 volts for 18-feet or larger boats. It cannot
be stressed enough that boats used on larger lakes or in rivers
with strong current, need to consider as much power as can
be afforded.
Shaft size
Most readily available trolling motors are available in
shaft lengths from 42 inches to 60 inches. Smaller boats
require shorter shafts, but measure how much clearance you
have from the top of your bow to the water’s surface. Even
16-feet aluminum boats can have a high enough bow that
will require a longer shaft than normal. Larger lakes and
rough water typically require the longest shaft you can get.
One manufacturer recommends that the centerline of the
head be submerged in 9-inches of water for normal use. The
only disadvantage with having a longer shaft is in low profile
bass boats, because they can get in the way when casting,
particularly when extended in shallow water. However, it is
always better to err long, rather than short. A short trolling
motor that spends more time out of the water than in the
water causes a loss of steering and greatly reduces battery life.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Annual Report Summary
Contents
Penns Creek Early
Tying the Baetis Thorax Dun
Your Fishing Field Guide
Central Pennsylvania Limestone Streams
Southeast Best Family Trout Waters
2013 Adult Trout Stocking Program Changes
Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Soft Plastics for Trout
Notes from the Stream
Early Trout on Lake Wallenpaupack
More for Less: Rigging a Small Economical Boat for All-Around Fishing
Ice-Out Smallmouth Bass of Presque Isle Bay
Call to Action: Restore the Susquehanna River
Thinking on Crappie Terms
Pymatuning Reservoir Walleye Comeback
Choosing and Installing a Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The Wooden Canoe is Alive and Well
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Photography Contest
Spring PLAY Newsletter
Eastern Sand Darter
Evaluation of Pennsylvania Catfish Spawning Boxes
Reflecting on the Water
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Annual Report Summary
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Penns Creek Early
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Tying the Baetis Thorax Dun
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Central Pennsylvania Limestone Streams
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Southeast Best Family Trout Waters
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 2013 Adult Trout Stocking Program Changes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Soft Plastics for Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Early Trout on Lake Wallenpaupack
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - More for Less: Rigging a Small Economical Boat for All-Around Fishing
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Ice-Out Smallmouth Bass of Presque Isle Bay
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Call to Action: Restore the Susquehanna River
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Thinking on Crappie Terms
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pymatuning Reservoir Walleye Comeback
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Choosing and Installing a Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - The Wooden Canoe is Alive and Well
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Photography Contest
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Spring PLAY Newsletter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Eastern Sand Darter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Evaluation of Pennsylvania Catfish Spawning Boxes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Cover4
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