Adding a Trolling Motor to Your Fishing Kayak: Pros & Cons You Need to Know
The short answer:
Should you add a trolling motor to your fishing kayak?
Yes, adding a trolling motor to your fishing kayak can significantly enhance your fishing experience by providing better maneuverability, easier management of windy conditions, and allowing you to cover water more efficiently. While there are some considerations such as weight, installation, and likely having to register your kayak in your state once adding the trolling motor, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, making it a valuable addition for many kayak anglers.
Video Version:
As someone who is primarily a kayak fisherman, I remember what caused me to consider this upgrade. It was my first time fishing saltwater alone in my NuCanoe Flint Fishing Kayak, and I had to cross a choppy area of a fairly large body of water, all while paddling straight into a strong headwind of about 8-10 MPH. You can actually watch the video here if interested.
Ultimately, it took me over an hour and a half to get where I needed to be. Meanwhile, a man in his 60s that I had spoken to at the launch zoomed past me and quickly disappeared from view, even though he launched at least 15 minutes after I did. He had a pedal drive kayak. A pedal drive kayak was out of my budget, so I immediately began researching adding a trolling motor to my kayak as soon as I got home that night.
This article aims to help beginners decide whether to add a trolling motor to their fishing kayak by weighing the pros and cons.
I. Pros of Adding a Trolling Motor to Your Fishing Kayak
A. Cost-Effective Solution
How much does it cost to add a trolling motor to a kayak?
A decent kayak trolling motor with a battery typically costs between $200-$400. Universal mounting plates, which are often needed to secure the trolling motor safely to your kayak, cost between $50-$100. In contrast, if you wanted to switch from a paddle kayak to a pedal drive, this often requires purchasing a whole new kayak, usually costing $2000 or more.
Obviously, you could get a really expensive trolling motor with GPS features such as spotlock, but even that would be cheaper or at least comparable cost-wise to buying a new pedal drive kayak.
The trolling motor I use only costs $139, and the battery I use is only $129!
Here is all the gear I use with my setup:
Click here to see an on-the-water demo of me fishing out of my kayak with a trolling motor.
Newport Kayak Series Trolling Motor
B. Versatility and Compatibility
Can you add a trolling motor to any kayak?
Most kayaks made specifically for fishing can accommodate a universal mounting plate for a trolling motor. This means you don’t need to buy a whole new kayak, making it a versatile upgrade for many anglers. In the rare case that your kayak is not properly shaped for a Bow or Stern Mounting plate, you can likely go with a side mount. Although this option is admittedly less than ideal due to stability issues and difficulty maintaining a straight bearing.
Where should you mount a trolling motor on a kayak?
There are three common ways of mounting a trolling motor to your fishing kayak:
Transom-Mount: Mounted on the back of the kayak. It’s easier to install and often used by beginners.
Bow-Mount: Mounted on the front of the kayak. Offers better control and weight distribution, but can be a bit more challenging to install.
Side-Mount: Less common, but provides an alternative for specific kayak designs that do not accommodate a universal mounting plate on the bow or stern.
Transom Mount on a NuCanoe Flint Kayak
C. Enhanced Positioning and Maneuverability
A trolling motor allows you to quickly readjust your position without using a paddle. For example, if you need to back up quickly while holding your fishing rod in one hand, a trolling motor enables quick adjustments to avoid obstacles or reposition for a better cast. Using a paddle requires both hands, whereas toggling the trolling motor only takes one. This might sound trivial, but any frequent kayak angler knows how much time is spent using a paddle to reposition. With a trolling motor, this time waste is vastly reduced.
D. Wind Management
Wind is the bane of every kayak fisherman’s existence. Trolling motors make it easier to manage windy conditions. If the wind is blowing you into a tree or away from a fishing hole, you can quickly toggle the motor and reposition. This is especially useful if you are still determining whether you want to anchor down in a specific spot, since positioning and dropping an anchor, similar to paddling, can take up precious time on the water.
E. Faster Access To Fishing Spots
Speed and Efficiency:
One of the significant advantages of adding a trolling motor to your fishing kayak is the ability to reach fishing spots much more quickly. Unlike paddling, which can be physically demanding and time-consuming, a trolling motor allows you to cruise effortlessly across the water. This is particularly beneficial when you need to cover long distances or navigate through strong currents and windy conditions.
Maximizing Fishing Time:
By reducing the time spent paddling to your desired location, you can maximize the time you spend fishing. This efficiency is crucial, especially during peak fishing hours when the bite is most active. Instead of tiring yourself out paddling, you can conserve your energy and focus on fishing.
Exploring New Areas:
A trolling motor enables you to explore new and potentially more productive fishing areas that might have been out of reach with just paddles. Whether it's venturing into deeper waters or exploring distant coves and inlets, a trolling motor expands your fishing territory, increasing your chances of finding the best fishing spots.
Imagine spotting a promising fishing hole on the other side of the lake. With a trolling motor, you can quickly zip over there and start casting without breaking a sweat, whereas paddling would take much longer and exhaust you before you even start fishing.
II. Cons of Adding a Trolling Motor to Your Fishing Kayak
A. Weight of Batteries
Are kayak trolling motor batteries heavy?
Yes, the batteries required for trolling motors can be heavy, impacting the overall weight and balance of the kayak. This added weight needs to be managed, especially when transporting your kayak to and from the water.
For example, my Newport 12v 50AH deep cycle marine battery weighs roughly 30lbs.
B. Installation Challenges
Is installing a trolling motor on a kayak difficult?
Installing a trolling motor may require drilling into the kayak to attach a mounting plate or add wiring. This can be daunting for beginners and may raise concerns about modifying the kayak’s structure and integrity. However, some reputable fishing kayak brands, such as NuCanoe, come pre-drilled or already set up to have a motor-mount installed without having to drill at all.
C. Laws and Regulations
Do you need to register a kayak with a trolling motor?
Most states require a kayak with a trolling motor to be registered. This isn’t too expensive but takes some time. Additionally, this can be challenging if you bought your kayak used, as you usually need a bill of sale and documentation demonstrating boat ownership.
D. Time-Consuming Setup and Loading
One significant drawback of adding a trolling motor to your fishing kayak is the additional time required to load and set up your gear before launching. Unlike a straightforward paddle-only setup, using a trolling motor involves securing the motor itself, connecting and positioning the battery, and ensuring all wiring and mounting are properly in place. This extra preparation can add considerable time to your launch routine.
Increased Complexity:
Managing all the components of a trolling motor setup can be cumbersome, especially for beginners. You need to ensure that everything is correctly installed and functioning before you hit the water, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
From my own experience, I typically arrive at the boat launch 45 minutes before daylight to ensure I have enough time to load all of my gear and still make it to my fishing spot by sunrise. This extended preparation time includes not only the usual gear but also setting up the trolling motor and battery. While it's worth it for the benefits on the water, the added time commitment is something to consider, especially if you're someone who already struggles with getting up early to go fishing.
E. Noise and Disturbance
Do trolling motors scare fish away?
Personally, I have not experienced this yet. However, trolling motors do make noise, and I suppose it’s possible this could spook some fish. The obvious solution to this is to simply stop using your trolling motor or cut down your usage once you are at your spot.
The Bottom Line:
Trolling motors enhance mobility, positioning, and ease of movement on the water, especially in challenging conditions like wind or current. If these benefits are of interest to you, but you’re on a budget and don’t wanna buy a pedal drive kayak, and you are willing to put in a little bit of work setting everything up, then adding a trolling motor to your fishing kayak can exponentially increase positive time spent on the water.
