Do backtrollers need bowmount trolling motors

[Todd]

Have Yar-Craft 1895BT w/Minn Kota VAntage on transom. Lots of our lakes have entire treelines sticking up out of water and best fishing success is if you can work those treelines closely. This is my first backtroller and I really haven't got the opportunity to use it very much, as I purchased it just before ice up. I do have splash guards on the boat, but due to the design of the transom on these boats, the guards aren't extremely high ones. We also have a lot of wind to content with. Do I need to have a bowmount trolling motor on this boat and try to work the treelines in windy conditions with a bowmount? Or am I best working from the back of the boat (Vantage is a great motor)? Thanks!!!

P.S. very few backtrollers down here - so i can't say what locals would do

[stevefellegy]

Todd,

I run a tiller boat all the time. What's your geographic location?

When I'm attemting to hover over structure, vertically presenting my bait,ie. Lindy rigging, and the waves are bouncing the boat around, I like the transom motor for control. BUT, as I might presume your tree scenario is, if I am flipping or casting, I prefer to be on the bowmount where I'm higher and I can point the boat in an exact position with more pinpoint response with the bowmount. So....both ends of the boat/motor can play important roles. I'd hate to give up either one. Good Luck!

Happy Holiday's!

[ANXIOUS]

I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL A BOAT FROM THE BOW IN ANYTHING MORE THAN NEAR CALM.. I FIND IT SOO FRUSTRATION FIGHTING THE WIND FROM THE BOW. I FOUND IT SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO USE THE WIND TO MY ADVANTAGE FROM A TRANSOM MOUNTED ELECTRIC TROLLING MOTOR THAT I GOT RID OF MY BOWMOUNT! THE ONLY TIME I LIKED USING MY BOWMOUNT WAS WHEN IT WAS CALM AND I WAS MANUEVERING BACKWATERS FOR SLAB CRAPPIES. BUT JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, TO EACH HIS OWN.

[T-Mac]

I run a "wheel boat" now..and still backtroll, too. But, I had tillers for many, many years including many of the years I guided.

I had both bow mount and transom electrics on those tiller boats. There were fishing situations for each motor (all three icluding main power).

Simply summed up, if the wind allowed...in a finesse presentation, I used the bowmount when I wanted forward progress, and the transom mount when hovering to off-set current or slight wind or slow, slow backward postioning.

I used the transom mount more, but there are things you can do (stealthy things that take a bit more speed) easily with the bowmount that you can't with the transom electric.

The more ways you have to obtain good boat control, the better!

[slip_bobber]

I guess I'm the oppisite of T-mac. I used a wheel for a long time before getting in to tillers 2 years ago. I like sitting in the back and all the rough water controll that comes with it. BUT, I would never be without a bowmount. I used a Genisis this year. I could sit in the back and not have to move to the bow to operate it. A big plus when there are 2 or 3 others fishing with you. I even trolled sideways on flat water simulating a drift by using the Vantage and the Genisis at the same time. Like T-mac said, It's all about options.

#67 Michael Meyer Jr
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