Trolling motors are here to stay

Although most anglers still call them "trolling motors," the electric motors used for fishing these days are rarely used for trolling. More accurately called "electric fishing motors," they've become an almost indespendable part of successful fishing.

Actual trolling, where the fisherman tows a natural or artifical lure behind a boat at the speed of a fast walk, has limited application these days. Today's most productive methods require an angler to position a boat over some underwater structure where the fish are likely to be.

Another specially area where ekectric fishing motors have found a niche is navigating in shallow water where gas motors are worse than useless.

Keeping a boat in position over a school of fish has created a demand for the electric fishing motors with quick steering, user-freindly controls and enough power to muscle around today's larger, heavier boats. There are a wide range of these motors that have thrust ratings from 24 to 70 pounds--enough power to propel anything from a canoe to a 3,500 pound bass boat.

The best motors for precise boat control in wind and waves are bow mounted motors. Just like front-wheel drive cars, they offer easier steering control in difficult conditions.

Bob Jackson, Lamar, Mo., is one angler who won't go fishing in a boat unless it is equipped with a trolling motor.

"I've been out too many times when the wind would mess up the fishing or times when it would have been very much easier to catch fish if you could hold in the place where the fish were," Jackson said. "I don't even consider fishing a lake without an electric motor to help me catch fish."

Harold Reed, Harrisonville, Mo., has several trolling motors. One is a foot operated motor, which he uses most of the time. But he also has a hand-controled motor he uses for maneuvering in tough weeds.

"Fishing the little pockets of open water inside weed beds has proven to be some of the most productive kind of fishing there is and the hand-controled bow mount motor is great for getting around this kind of area," Reed said. "It's also good for maneuving around stumps or docks. I use a weedless motor and it is so mobile that it is like a four-wheel drive for your boat," he said.

Reed went on to say that all the fishing tournaments he gas fished, an electric trolling motor was a requirement for your boat.

"I wouldn't be without one anyway," he said. " I am old enough to remember when we fished without a trolling motor and believe me, it's much better with one."

Larry Walker, Cassville, Mo., chaches his share of fish on Table Rock and he wouldn't consider going out in his boat without a trolling motor.

"Besides the help they give you in fishing, a trolling motor has helped me in other ways over the past several years," Walker said. "Once, my big motor broke down and if it hadn't been for my trolling motor to get me back to the dock, I would have spent a cold night on the lake. To me, a trolling motor is as important as a rod and reel when I go fishing. I couldn't catch as many fish without either one."

It's certain that trolling motors are here to stay.