Which Minn Kota Bow Mount Model Do You Prefer? 2024
Jiggin26 reply :
Just bought a Bass Tracker Tournament TX17 and it has the factory trolling motor from 1992. Want to upgrade to a Minn Kota. Looking on their website i see they have several model (Edge, Maxxum, Fortex and Terrova). Which model is the best bang for the buck? Obviously i want the highest thrust i can get for the best price. I know the pedals seem different etc.
Just looking for recommendations as to which model is the best all around trolling motor and why.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Maxxum for me, but I'd go with the Fortex if I could afford it. I'd advise staying away from the Edge, too many guys I know that have had them were disappointed. I hate the electronic control type motors like the Terrova but if you fish a lot of open water it might be the best option.
slonezp reply :
Terrova is electric steer and completly different than the others mentioned. You will be much happier with a variable speed rather than a 5 speed. Terrova and Fortrex are the top of the line motors in their respective categories. You cant go wrong with either. Just depends on how you control them
WIGuide reply :
Not a Minn Kota fan, but don't buy their cheaper stuff. It's junk. I'm sure there will be people who comment saying they aren't, but I've see WAY too many that have problems to recommend them.
NathanW reply :
Its not really about the pedals its about cable vs. electric steer. Do you have any first hand experience with both? Your 1992 trolling motor is a cable steer motor but don't let this impact your decision because both Motor Guide and Minn Kota have come a long way since then.
Fortrex, Maxxum and Edge are Cable Steer.
Terrova and Power Drive are Electric Steer.
Electric Steer is not always ideal for bass fishing. The head movement is slow, they are very loud, and there is no way to develop any feel for steering. It must be done mostly by site with an electric steer motor. They are best suited for deeper water fishing and open water. The advantages of these motors come by way of upgrades to the I-Pilot and I-Pilot link. Once you get the GPS features they become usable. A feature called Autopilot will steer you in one direction without touching the motor and Spotlock will keep in the same spot (within 10 or so feet) without touching the motor. I personally have run a Terrova for about five years can can preach how nice it is when you are are on rivers with lots of current fishing offshore weed lines, offshore rock piles, and ledges. It is also very convenient when fishing with your kids or just relaxing on the boat.
Cable Steer is the motor you will see on the deck of 99% of serious tournament bass anglers boats. It is quick, quiet and efficient. Very responsive in tight quarters. The downside is that there is no AutoPilot or Spotlock and it takes a little bit of time to develop a feel for it.
I am pretty dead set against recommending Electric Steer to anyone for bass fishing. I use it because I live next to the Columbia River and got very fed up with fighting the current on a cable steer day after day.
LuckyGia reply :
I can only vouch fot the Edge 70.
My new boat has it on it.
I HATE IT !
It's real loud
speeds 1 +2 are too slow
3-5 are too fast.
My old boat had a motor guide and I liked that much better.
Jiggin26 reply :
the only experience i have had with Minn Kota motors is their Powerdrive (not sure if they even make them anymore) It was electric steering and had the worst pedal I've ever tried to use, I've also had a motor-guide with the cable steer and liked that feel better.
I do want a cable steer for sure. It looks like i will either looks for a Maxxum or a Fortrex. Looks like they both come in 80lb thrust while remaining 24v. Ill look for a good deal on a used one before i resort to new.
NathanW, thanks for that post it cleared up a lot for me!
slonezp reply :
And my ipilot link connected to my humminbird graphs will drive me around the lake hands and feet free. Its quite magical
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 8/18/2015 at 1:16 AM, Jiggin26 said:the only experience i have had with Minn Kota motors is their Powerdrive (not sure if they even make them anymore) It was electric steering and had the worst pedal I've ever tried to use, I've also had a motor-guide with the cable steer and liked that feel better.
I do want a cable steer for sure. It looks like i will either looks for a Maxxum or a Fortrex. Looks like they both come in 80lb thrust while remaining 24v. Ill look for a good deal on a used one before i resort to new.
NathanW, thanks for that post it cleared up a lot for me!
I have a 80lb Maxxum on my 189VLO Stratos, it'll be more than enough to move the boat you have.
starcraft1 reply :
I run a ZX202 with a 80 lb. max. on t and have only 3 gripes.
(1) I wish I would have spent the extra $$$ for the Fortrex. The extra help with the lift in & out of the water would help.
(2) The cable will stretch - as with any cable model. Easy fix with the adjustment screw on the front of the foot peddle ( it will take 2-3 times before the cable will be happy(?)
(3) In cold weather the lanyard / pull rope and slide will hang-up on you after a med. trip (2 hrs.) to the water. Again an easy fix, some WD40 (or other same type oil) on the slide will give you a "quick" fix, but graphite on the slide will fix the problem. The lanyard / pull rope is another easy fix with simply tying a better knot! 
The last two I learned by trail and error!
I've looked at the I-pilot models and have to agree with the noise problem and IMO the reaction of the head is way to slow for the water I mostly fish. I do like the idea of "keeping you on the spot" as it was put to me at the last I.S.E. show in Sac., Ca. but when I was at the elite tourney (also on the Sac. river) and heard one working, it' way to loud I fish in water between 1' & 10' and even 20' away it would spook the fish.
As far as "cutting" thru hvy. weeds and grasses the MK. works much better then any other I've used.
As far as the amount of thrust you'll need, on a 17' alum. a 70 lb. would give you all you'll need 42" or 60" depending on how crazy your water is.
Hope this helped you out,
Bruce
Scott F reply :
I'd probably still have a cable steer if someone could design a foot pedal that wasn't so tall. My old
Motor Guide from the late 80's was pretty good but when boat makers have to cut a hole in the deck to accommodate those newer pedals, there is a problem. I do like my Terrova however. The low profile pedal and the spot lock are great.
tcbass reply :
I do love my Terrova. However, 2 things I don't like.
Stowing and deploying a lot wastes time and is a pain. Don't know why they don't have a rope to pull up with like cablesteers. Also, no spotlock on the foot pedal so you have to use the remote.
The new Minn Kota Ulterra fixes that by having auto stow/deploy and a spotlock button on the foot pedal. If I had that I'd never use the remote.
webertime reply :
I know a ton of guys up here, many that get hook ups and almost universally they like the Maxxum over the Fortrex. They are more durable and do everything you need.
K_Mac reply :
I have had a Fortrex 80# for several years. It has preformed well. I fish regularly with a friend who has a MG 100+ 36 volt. I prefer my MK. Many who have the Powerdrive units love them. I do not.
K_Mac reply :
Duplicate post.
no39 reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 10:59 AM, Jiggin26 said:Just bought a Bass Tracker Tournament TX17 and it has the factory trolling motor from 1992. Want to upgrade to a Minn Kota. Looking on their website i see they have several model (Edge, Maxxum, Fortex and Terrova). Which model is the best bang for the buck? Obviously i want the highest thrust i can get for the best price. I know the pedals seem different etc.
Just looking for recommendations as to which model is the best all around trolling motor and why.
I think I fish a bit and here are some thoughts to consider.
1. Variable speed control. This is absolutely crucial. The ability to dial in exactly what speed you want may seem trivial at first but it makes the whole experience so much smoother and offers far greater control.
2. Thrust. The minimum recommendations for a boat your size are just that. The minimum. Try for the most thrust you can afford. I doubled the "recommended" ratings and somedays it's still not enough.
3. Check to see if you have any authorized repair facilities in your area for the brand you choose. Having a local guy that can work with warranty claims for you is super convenient for when you have issues, and you will .
4. Cable vs. electric steering. I fish a number of different lakes and it calls for different control schemes. I prefer cable because it's all I have ever known. I like it because it's tactile. I develop a "feel" for the pedal and the whole control issue becomes second nature. I can focus more on fishing what's in front of me. I imagine that cable offers a quicker more direct response that electric cannot. However, there are days on Lake Erie where all I want is to fish a small rock pile, but the wind is relentless and often after hooking and playing a fish I find myself way off my spot. So, the idea of locking down with the trolling motor is a nice one.
That being said I run a 70lb maxxum on a 14 deep v aluminum boat.
J Francho reply :
Long shaft Maxxum works for me.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
The "Motor guide" version.
Way2slow reply :
Personally, the MotorGuide. I bought and fought with a Terrova US/iPilot 80 for about three years and it was not for me. Finally, after the $150 foot control went out, it gave me a reason to take it off and put my old MotorGuide back on. I didn't care for having to stop fishing every time just so I could use the remote to maneuver the boat after the foot control went out. So, now it's piled in the corner of the shed with the other 1/2 dozen old TM's.
My major complaint to the Terrova was it was a pain in the rectum to stow and deploy. Most of the times I go fishing since my dad died, I end up having to take some family member that barely knows how to cast and not accurate worth a darn, so I make a lot of trips into very shallow water retrieving lures and that motor totally sucks when you have to do that. I had gotten where I would not even fish shallow banks when I had them with me, just to keep from having to chase lures.
CWB reply :
Maxxum for me. Had an Edge before that for several years until a muskrat chewed up the cables. Love the variable speed. Boat leaves a wake on 100%. Couldn't afford Fortrex. As long as it isn't Motorguide.
Further North reply :
On 8/17/2015 at 8:01 PM, slonezp said:Terrova is electric steer and completly different than the others mentioned. You will be much happier with a variable speed rather than a 5 speed. Terrova and Fortrex are the top of the line motors in their respective categories. You cant go wrong with either. Just depends on how you control them
Yup.
I've run a Terrova since they came out, currently have a 101 36 volt Terrova with iPilot and Link.
the electric steer took some getting used to...but once you do, it's a "set it and forget it" way of fishing.
I either set it to follow a contour, set it to hold "X" distance off shore or aim it at something, set the speed and spend my time fishing instead of messing with the motor.
Boat control becomes something you used to do...
tomustang reply :
Don't skimp out on price with a trolling motor, get the best possible. It's effectively the most important tool for fishing on a boat.
Fortrex is the top for cable, ulterra for electric.
Ive used the ulterra for a month now and I can say it's so much better than my old terrova, which the terrova was great.
Further North reply :
On 8/19/2015 at 1:23 AM, tcbass said:I do love my Terrova. However, 2 things I don't like.
Stowing and deploying a lot wastes time and is a pain. Don't know why they don't have a rope to pull up with like cablesteers. Also, no spotlock on the foot pedal so you have to use the remote.
The new Minn Kota Ulterra fixes that by having auto stow/deploy and a spotlock button on the foot pedal. If I had that I'd never use the remote.
The new Ulterra resolves both those issues.
I don't have one yet...maybe next year.
Further North reply :
On 8/19/2015 at 9:26 AM, no39 said:Thrust. The minimum recommendations for a boat your size are just that. The minimum. Try for the most thrust you can afford. I doubled the "recommended" ratings and somedays it's still not enough.
I agree - Most folks run a 70 - 80 lb thrust TM on a boat my size (Crestliner 1850)...I run a 36 volt, 101 (current 36 volt from MK at 112)...and I have never, ever...not once...been sorry I have that much power.
I can always turn it down...can't turn it up after I'm at max thrust against current or wind.
scaleface reply :
I have an 80 lb thrust Maxxum and love it. Like others have said get variable speed . I had a five speed Minn Kota All terrain and used it twice. speed 4 wasnt enough even in a light wind and speed five was full blast and much too hard to control .
Ronald K Smith reply :
I have a Edge 55lb bow motor on my 18' Nitro and I'm happy with it. Just bought a PowerDrive 45lb for my 14' jon boat, haven't been out in it yet. Still trying to consider how to mount it.
BassinLou reply :
I run a 55lb thrust,12volt, MK Maxxum, variable speed. It cost me some $$ but well worth it on my tracker pro team 165. Quiet, smooth, and very battery efficient for those long fishing days. Throw in there a ninja blade, and you have a very formidable shallow water fishing boat. 
DelcoSol reply :
I think MG feels more solid but the metal shaft scares me. The MK composite shaft is lifetime gaurantee and almost impossible to break. The MG will bend if you hit something. I would go with either maxxum or fortrex if it were mine. My new boat has a MG tour 82# thats like new that I want to sell and switch back to MK.
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