Make Your Trolling Motor a Fish Finder!

I spend countless hours on my Minn-Kota trolling motor searching for productive fishing zones.   A strong reliable trolling motor makes pre-fishing for my charters and Flats Class TV, virtually effortless.  When a trolling motor is used properly, it’s truly a “must have” piece of equipment for every inshore boat.

On a fairly routine basis (especially blue-bird days)… I will scout a large area using my trolling motor.  My Minn-Kota’s quiet efficient power let’s me cover miles of shoreline and acres of pristine grass flats without disturbing the fish or birds who call that area home.  Just like a deer hunter scouting the woods before opening day to find the perfect location for his tree stand… I also like to know the best features in every flat or shoreline I intend to fish.   By spending a few hours observing instead of fishing, you’ll notice more details such as oyster bar locations, deeper troughs, drains, and contour edges that game fish often use.  These details will help you on future fishing trips because you’ll be armed with valuable information that will shorten the learning curve when it really counts… when a rod is in your hand!   

Here’s my philosophy on making any trolling motor super- stealthy instrument; it’s really a four prong approach.  One, make sure your trolling motor prop is set at the ideal height.  It shouldn’t make contact with the bottom nor create a cavitation effect at the surface.  Two, run your Minn-Kota at a low constant speed so that the fish can’t detect an up and down frequency change.  A common mistake anglers often make when stalking shallow fish like red drum, is that they vary their trolling motor speed; that frequency change alerts the fish making them tough or impossible to catch at times.  Three, I like to come down wind so I can use the lowest speed setting on my trolling motor… typically 15% to 20%.  The lower speed setting keeps the underwater prop whir to a minimum and negates the possibility of hull slap.  Four, periodically remove your Minn-Kota “Weed-less Wedge” prop and clear any debris (line or grass) that might be wrapped around the prop shaft.  This unseen debris not only creates a harmonic imbalance in the prop that is audible to the fish but can damage the prop shaft seal that protects the trolling motor’s lower foot as well.

There’s a time, place, and method for traversing all types of shallow water terrain… including wading and push-poling.  But if you want to make the most of your time and energy… a trolling motor is the right choice a big percentage of the time.  Take the time to explore new areas or even the old glory holes with your trolling motor and discover why I call my Minn-Kota a true fish finder!

Keep safety, ethics, & conservation in your fishing…

Capt. C.A. Richardson

Tagged as: Capt. C.A. Richardson, fishing guide in St. Petersburg, Flats Class Charters, Minn-Kota trolling motors