Trolling Motors to Use in Freshwater
Garmin Force Kraken
The new Garmin Force Kraken with an easy-to-deploy manual pivot mount joins the original Force series with a scissor mount. Featuring a brushless electric motor designed for both fresh and salt water, Kraken operates at either 24 volts (80 pounds of thrust) or 36 volts (100 pounds of thrust). It’s up to 37 percent more efficient than brush motors. An improved anchor-lock decelerates the motor when it’s within a meter of the desired location using reverse prop spin. A floating, wireless remote features a gesture-sensitive point-and-go technology that’s like using a Wii. A foot pedal (wireless or hard-wired) can also be added. Other control options include the ability to connect the motor wirelessly to a compatible Garmin chart plotter or a Garmin quatix smartwatch. Integration with Garmin LiveScope live-sonar transducers is made easy by running the transducer cable within the trolling-motor shaft. The LiveScope transducer and mounting bracket are required to do this. Force Kraken is available in 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft lengths in the white paint scheme, but only 63- and 75-inch shafts in the black version. Retail pricing starts at $3,699; garmin.com.
Minn Kota Quest
Minn Kota will have new brushless, bow-mounted electric trolling motors for the 2024 season. Of keen interest to freshwater anglers will be the new Ultrex Quest featuring a scissor mount, as well as Ulterra Quest and Terrova Quest with pivot mounts, with Ulterra featuring a redesigned automatic stow and deploy. Each Quest series motor will operate on dual voltage, either 24 volts (90 pounds of thrust) or 36 volts (115 pounds of thrust). The new motors will incorporate real-time battery monitoring with a “time until empty” indicator, prompting anglers to switch to Eco mode when the battery reserves drop to 20 percent, to extend fishing time. Built-in GPS technology will enable functionality such as Spot-Lock, as well as a new Drift mode that works like a virtual drift sock to slow the boat’s drift and keep presentations in the strike zone longer. Shaft lengths range from 45 to 72 inches. Control options will include a new, advanced GPS wireless remote to drive the motor from anywhere in the boat, and all are easily networked with a Humminbird multifunction display. Prices range from $3,199.99 to $4,499.99; minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com.
Power-Pole Move
Power-Pole has introduced two new lines of bow-mounted electric trolling motors with brushless electric motors: the PV series with a pivot mount and the ZR series with a scissor mount, both built for fresh or salt water. A titanium shaft carries a lifetime guarantee. Built-in GPS with features such as Anchor mode—which automatically maintains boat position—and Active Vector Heading are akin to autopilot. Wireless control choices include the ReelFeel foot pedal that provides the sensation of cable steering. A wireless hybrid remote will control both the Move trolling motor and Power-Pole shallow-water anchors. Boating anglers can network the Move with a Lowrance or Simrad touchscreen multifunction display. In addition, the underside of the Move motor housing on the ZR series also has an option for a built-in plug-and-play HDI sonar transducer to display on a Lowrance MFD. The motors work with both 24- and 36-volt battery configurations. The PV series is available in 45-, 52-, 60- and 72-inch shaft lengths, while the ZR motors come in 45-, 52- and 60-inch versions. Retail pricing starts at $4,999.99; power-pole.com.
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