Taking extra care of the hands is very important for kayak anglers. Though the kayak has rod holders to keep fishing rods in place while you’re waiting for the fish to take the bait, you’ll still be the one to reel it in. Put, catching a large fish mostly relies on how you use your hands in tandem with the fishing rod.
Paddling is fine if you’re kayak fishing on a small water body, such as a stream. However, it will tire your hands when you’re kayak fishing in lakes, seas, and rivers. Having fatigued hands is terrible. You’ll find it hard to hold the rod efficiently and maintain posture as the fish struggles to get free.
Why don’t you try to get a kayak trolling motor for a speedy, hand-friendly, and comfortable kayak fishing? Don’t leave because I’ll give a short discussion about kayak trolling motors. Specifically, I’ll discuss how kayak trolling motors differ from boat motors, how to choose, and how to install (DIY set-up).
Are Kayak Trolling Motor and Outboard Motor The Same?
Newbies often mistake kayak trolling motors and outboard motors. I can understand them because kayak fishers use either of the two nowadays. Even so, a kayak trolling motor and an outboard motor isn’t the same. The two differ in terms of size and design, power output, power source, and installation.
Firstly, a kayak trolling motor is smaller and non-bulky compared to an outboard motor. Usually, all outboard motors are significant because it has a large engine, a gearbox, and propeller. Furthermore, it might have additional parts such as tank and oil storage. In contrast, kayak trolling motors are relatively small because they use an electric engine and propeller.
Secondly, kayak trolling motors have lesser power output than outboard motors. Some may only go as fast as 5 miles, 10 miles, or 15 miles per hour. Outboard motors, on the other hand, start at the minimum speed of 20 miles per hour.
Thirdly, kayak trolling motors and outboard motors don’t use the same type of fuel. The most popular kayak trolling engines nowadays utilize electricity. They may come in 12 volts, 24 volts, or 36 volts models. Contrarily, outboard motors use gasoline and may arrive in 2 strokes or four-stroke varieties.
Finally, kayak trolling motors are for kayaks and canoes only. Outboard motors, on the other hand, may be used on large kayaks or moderately sized fishing boats. For kayak fishing, professionals say that kayak trolling motors are better because they’re more environmentally friendly, require lesser maintenance, and provides better steering.
How To Choose The Best Kayak Trolling Motor?
Input the term “kayak trolling motor” in any search engines, and you’ll be flooded with many choices. The sad part about this is that most websites don’t give a lot of information about choosing the best one. That said, read everything in this section because I’ll be explaining the considerations when choosing between various trolling motors for the kayak.
12 Volts, 24 Volts, or 34 Volts?
As I described earlier, a kayak trolling motor may come in 12 volts, 24 volts, or 34 volts. In terms of power, choosing won’t be hard if you think about your kayak’s size. Twelve volts trolling motor is perfect for 12-foot fishing kayaks weighing around 50 pounds. Twenty-four volts trolling motor is suitable for 16-foot fishing kayaks weighing about 50-70 pounds. Lastly, a 34 volts kayak trolling motor is suitable for 18-20 foot fishing kayaks that weigh around 80-90 pounds.
Trust That You Have To Think About Thrust
In a nutshell, thrust is something that describes a kayak trolling motor’s capacity to make the kayak move. You may call this torque, power output, or power gauge. Usually, experts recommend that the minimum thrust of a right kayak trolling motor is 30 pounds and runs 5 miles per hour. However, I recommend making a 60-pound thrust and 10 miles per hour speed as the minimum to ensure smooth travel even if the kayak is fully loaded.
Ask Yourself. “Where Should I Mount?”
A kayak trolling motor may sit at the bow or transom of the kayak. Before buying, think about where you’ll install it first. Installing at the bow allows for more speed. On the other hand, installing at the transom provides more comfortable steering.
Also, the design of a kayak trolling motor might vary depending on the mounting location. For example, a trolling motor for the transom might come with additional parts.
Don’t Forget About The Propeller.
The propeller of the kayak trolling motor also determines speed and stability, aside from its electric motor. When choosing, I recommend focusing on trolling motors with propellers that may be easily installed or uninstalled. Also, try to emphasize the blades for this will be useful. For instance, propellers with large blades are fast but won’t do well for kayak fishing on shallow waters. In contrast, propellers with small bladers won’t do well on deep lakes and rapid rivers.
DIY Set-Up For Kayak Trolling Motor
First, you have to transfer the kayak on a raised platform. You won’t have to do any transfers if your kayak is already sitting on a kayak stand. If you don’t have a kayak stand, you may opt to get a long wooden plank and set it high. Afterward, place your kayak to get started.
Place the battery box on the back or in front of the seat. The wires that connect the battery to the kayak trolling motor should be on the cockpit’s sides.
Next is the circuit breaker. I recommend that you use a small one since you can put it on the seat’s left side.
Get a complete piece of wood and bolt it on the bow. You may also opt to use superglue. After this, run the kayak trolling motor on the complete piece of wood. Be sure to give it a little push or shake to ensure that it’s firmly bolted.
Test if the kayak trolling motor works perfectly. You may watch this video to see my instructions firsthand.
Conclusion
A kayak trolling motor is what you need for cruising in your fishing kayak without getting tired. It’s a better option than a small outboard motor because it’s environment friendly, quiet, and easy to maintain. Furthermore, you can also install a trolling motor without anyone’s help. That said, you should get a kayak trolling motor if you’re low on budget but brimming with excitement for a wonderful kayak fishing experience.