For many, owning a pontoon boat is all about fishing. For fishing enthusiasts, having a trolling motor on your pontoon boat is an excellent addition. They allow you to move quietly through the water ensuring you do not spook the fish. You can easily maneuver your pontoon boat while casting for fish.
You need to get the right trolling motor and mount for your pontoon boat. The best trolling motors consist of high-quality materials to provide the propelling force every angler needs for a long time. The GPS also locks the pontoon boat into place even through high currents and tides. This article we will discuss and review pontoon boat trolling motors and mounts.
Why Choose Trolling Motors
Since the emergence of trolling motors, pontoon boat owners have been able to gain complete control of their boats. This is especially true for fishermen. Trolling motors provide the thrust necessary navigate even harsh waters to get a nice catch. Also, with the added GPS feature, fishermen can easily lock in their boats position without constantly repositioning due to wind and current. Below are some of the reasons to get a trolling motor.
More Fishing Possibilities
Trolling motors are ideal for fishing. With a trolling motor, one can smoothly navigate water without spooking fish. Certain fish species are fond of staying in place, which makes them harder to catch. Therefore, one must be able to move quietly and precisely. It’s also not a problem if one needs to relocate during the fishing trip. Simply use the trolling motor and keep the noisy main engine secured.
Easy to Operate
The control features of a trolling motor are straightforward to operate. Also, the variety of available trolling motor options makes boat control more enjoyable. It is possible to steer with your feet, hands, auto-pilot, etc.
GPS
A GPS is an excellent trolling motor feature. A GPS located in the motor “locks in” the pontoon boat’s desired position. The GPS will operate the trolling motor on auto-pilot to constantly maintain boat position without input from the fisherman. This feature is an awesome investment that allows the fisherman to spend more time catching fish.
Navigates Shallow Water
Some shallow waters are excellent for fishing, but due to the noise of outboard motors, are tough to navigate silently. Installing a trolling motor makes it very easy to quietly navigate shallow bodies of water.
Easy to Install and Remove
It does not take a special skill to install and remove a pontoon boat trolling motor. Even a novice can do so with the detailed instructions included with the motor.
When selecting the trolling motor mount, also consider ease of installation. Smaller boats mount the trolling motor on the transom, whereas larger boats install the trolling motor on the bow. Read on for guidance on selecting easy to install trolling motor mounts.
Environmentally Friendly
Trolling motors are simple to operate, produce no harmful spills, and emit no noise. These electrically operated and powered motors do not harm the ecosystem in which the fish live. As a result, the boat does not cause any disturbance to the local flora, fauna, and other boat owners.
Powerful
These days, powerful trolling motors are available that can keep even larger boats in their exact location. Strong winds and currents are also no longer an issue as the motor can work in harsh waters. Nowadays, motors are specific to saltwater environments, which poses a serious threat to the durability of many materials.
Where to Mount Pontoon Boat Trolling Motor?
There are three locations for you to mount your trolling motor on a pontoon boat. You can install them on the bow, the transom, or the engine.
Bow
Among the three mounting options, the bow mount is most common. It is popular and advantageous because the trolling motor actually pulls your pontoon boat through the water rather than pushing. With this type of mounting, you get good amount of steering control as you traverse the water.
However, bow mounted trolling motors can occupy precious space at your bow area. Manufacturers are designing specific bow mounts to consume less space. Also, you will need a drill to install bow mounts. Lastly, bow mounted trolling motors are more expensive than the other trolling motors.
Transom
Transom mounted trolling motors consume less space. Small pontoon boat and mini pontoon boat owners actually opt for these space saving designs. They also come at a more affordable price point, and they are much easier to install as there is no need to drill holes. You simply clamp the transom trolling motor onto the stern of the pontoon boat.
However, they do not efficiently control and maneuver the pontoon boat.
Engine
Engine mount trolling motors clamp directly onto the engine. More specifically, they attach to the cavitation plate. As a result, they consume less space compared to other designs.
However, they make the pontoon boat more difficult to control, and they are expensive.
Best Pontoon Boat Trolling Motor Mounts
As previously discussed, bow mounted trolling motors are the only designs which require mounting brackets. Transom and engine mounted trolling motors clamp directly onto the transom and the engine respectively. The bow mounts usually come included with the purchased trolling motor. But you, can also buy separate bow mounts to provide more flexibility and maneuverability.
Look for strong and sturdy options. Investing in low quality options can be dangerous. Look for compatible options that will ease the work for you. Below are some of the best pontoon boat trolling motor mounts.
Newport Vessels Pontoon Trolling Motor Mount
This Newport Vessels trolling motor mount is one of the better options for your pontoon boat. The mount securely anchors the trolling motor with ease. This universal model works with any trolling motor with shafts 1.15″ to 1.25″ in diameter. Made from heavy duty materials, the mount is strong and durable. The motor includes all the mounting hardware, however it does require a 9/32″ drill bit. The trolling motor mount comes with a 1 year warranty.
Toon Troll Pontoon Trolling Motor Mount
We discussed earlier the difficulty installing bow mounted trolling motors. They can consume more space making it inconvenient for passengers to board the pontoon boat by blocking the gate. Ride Style solves this issue with their quick release trolling motor bracket. The bracket allows you to easily remove the trolling motor to allow passengers to conveniently get through the gate.
Toon Troll by Ride Style is a trolling motor bracket designed specifically for pontoon boats. The mount extends from the bow, holding the trolling motor in a horizontal position, so you do not have to mount the trolling motor on top of the deck. Additionally, the mount and motor do not extend beyond the pontoon deck allowing you to trailer the boat without interference.
The mount is constructed from 6061 aluminum using CNC machining offering high tensile strength. It also includes stainless steel components. The bracket can be easily installed using a few carriage bolts and a small mounting support bolted to the underside of the deck. The bracket comes with a quick release function which allows you to take your motor on and off quite easily.
Brocraft Pontoon Trolling Motor Mount
The Brocraft deck mount universal trolling motor bracket is for clamp-on style trolling motors. It is constructed from marine aluminum with black nylon plastic. The design allows the motor to be removed when the boat is under engine power or being trailered. This mount is for trolling motors and not for outboard engines of any size. The maximum recommended trolling motor thrust is 36 lbs. The trolling motor mount comes with a two year limited warranty.
Haswing Quick Release Trolling Motor Mount
The Haswing quick release trolling motor mount is meant specifically for Haswing bow mount electric trolling motors. It is made from ultra durable composite plastic and includes stainless steel hardware. This rigid mounting platform eliminates noise and motor movement. Trolling motor loss is completely avoided via the positive locking mechanism with the lock pin the trolling motor. The mount has an easy 3 step installation procedure. It can also be removed with ease of any Power Drive with Auto Pilot.
MotorGuide Quick Release Trolling Motor Mount
The MotorGuide quick release trolling motor mount offers great versatility for the demanding anglers. With a low profile and small foot print, they won’t take up much deck space. The quick release composite bracket lets you quickly attach or remove a bow mounted MotorGuide Xi Series trolling motor. The motor mount is available in two options: one made from full cast aluminum and the other made from a composite material. A security clasp comes included for a padlock. Mounting hardware is also included.
Best Pontoon Boat Trolling Motors
When selecting the pontoon boat trolling motor, you need to look for a shaft length of at least 52″ with a minimum thrust of 55 lbs. These trolling motors consist of a fine, sleek, and durable design made of aluminium, plastics, and glass. This compilation consists of trolling motors high in demand by boat owners.
MotorGuide Xi5 Trolling Motor
The MotorGuide Xi5 trolling motor is very convenient and simple, even though one of its downsides is that it is restricted to only freshwater. MotorGuide Xi5 has high-tech features like on-screen control displays, integrated sonar, and advanced precision pinpoint GPS.
The pinpoint GPS provides excellent navigation features like cruise control, heading lock, and precise anchoring. The wireless remote control is also very functional; and it makes it easy to steer. This 56 lb thrust motor runs on 12V and has a bow type mount.
Newport Vessel Trolling Motor
This Newport Vessel trolling motor provides top-tier performance with an adjustable 55″ fiberglass shaft. This 55 lb. thrust trolling motor is designed for pontoon boats. It features a durable mount that can be bolted to any sturdy flat surface.
It also has 8-speed options (5 forward and 3 reverse), and an efficient three-blade 10″ propeller. The motor weighs 62 lbs. The 10-point LED battery meter helps to monitor the motor’s energy and keep the sailor prepared at all times.
AQUOS Haswing Trolling Motor
The AQUOS Haswing trolling motor provides precise control, quiet operation, and rugged durability. The 12V 55 lb. thrust trolling motor comes with a wireless remote control which extends up to a distance of 164′. The motor is suitable for freshwater or saltwater and pontoon boats up to 18′ long.
With variable motor speed, you can dial in your exact speed, consume less power, increase battery life, and provide more precise control.
A wired foot control pedal provides hands free fishing up to a distance of 14.7′. The quick release mount occupies minimal space and promotes easy motor installation and removal.
Conclusion
Choosing the right trolling motor and mount for your pontoon boat can significantly enhance your fishing experience. By selecting a motor with the appropriate thrust, shaft length, and features, and pairing it with a sturdy, compatible mount, you can ensure smooth and efficient operation on the water. Investing in quality equipment tailored to your needs not only improves performance but also adds convenience and control to your outings. With the right trolling motor and mount, your pontoon boat becomes even more versatile and enjoyable for every fishing adventure.
