Fresh water trolling motor

[dennyo]

Just bought a used boat and along with everything they included was a 50# thrust trolling motor with a new battery. As I mainly plan on using this boat on the Bay, I was wondering can I use that trolling motor on the bay... or should I sell it and put the money toward a saltwater model?

Appreciate your thoughts.

[tommyv1]

I am no expert on this, but I used a freshwater one for many years without a problem in upper choptank which is brackish. People claim that it will not last as long as a saltwater one which is probably true. Keep in mind that they bay is not as salty as the ocean. You can buy a new 55# freshwater trolling motor for about $200, so you will probably not get much for it used. I would see how long it last. I bought a saltwater one for my current boat boat, but considered getting a fresh water one instead because of the price difference.

[DaveHuz]

Use it until it craps out then buy a salt water version. If you wash it off after every use, you'll be surprised how long it can last.

Just bought a used boat and along with everything they included was a 50# thrust trolling motor with a new battery. As I mainly plan on using this boat on the Bay, I was wondering can I use that trolling motor on the bay... or should I sell it and put the money toward a saltwater model?

Appreciate your thoughts.

[mgardner1]

Buy a zinc to attach to the shaft, I think that might be the only main difference. We have one on our boat that isn't a saltwater one. It's old so I'm not worried about it, but I've used it several times in saltwater from the bay to the Pamlico Sound without issue.

[Tom Hughes]

... or should I sell it....

Yes. You don't need a trolling motor when fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. It's easier and more beneficial to use the current when drifting. Your boat will turn broadside to the current and you can use your power motor to help during the drift.

[Superdink]

my dad got a nice trolinn motor and it works good
he sez be quite dont be making noise and stuff
he lives in vIrgina they got good fish ther to hahaha

[tommyv1]

I disagree with there being no benefit of trolling motor in bay. I find it much easier to use my electric motor when crabbing. It may just be my mind playing tricks on me but I seem to catch more crabs in shallow water with silent electic motor vs my loud two stroke. I also noticed that I can sneak up a lot easier when throwing topwater shallow early in morning. When I use the gas motot, I usaully do not catch anything shallow. If you are close to shore, the electic motor can help you correct your drift without making much noise.

[DaveHuz]

Or if you're like me (although I don't wear suspenders with my belt) a secondary mode of getting home with a trolling motor provides an alternative for a motor breakdown, albeit a slow one. I don't carry a lot of tools on board but with an older motor, my MinnKota provides a little piece of mind if I have difficulty besides being able to sneak up on some breakers.

[Channel Surfer]

I've got a 55lb Minn Kota freshwater on the front of my 17' Mako. It's been on there for atleast 4 years (not covered). I use it when Perch fishing around rocks and docks. I fish out of the Rhode River area. I bought the motor used from a guy that used for 3 yeahs in the Susquehanna. It's still running fine. Last year the motor housing start rusting so I stripped all the paint off with a Harbor Freight needle scaler then painted with 1 coat of Rustoleum rusty metal primer and 2 coats of flat black. Seems to be holding up fine and is a good backup to get home with.

[J bones]

It will be 100% fine. Just hose it down after use.