The 5 Best Trolling Motors for Bass Boats


Boat control is a critical aspect of fishing regardless of your targeted species. This is especially true when bass fishing. Anglers need to be able to navigate and position their boat in tight corners, around docks, trees, grass etc. so they can make that perfect cast.

That’s why it’s so important to have a high performance trolling motor. Trolling motors are a key component to any bass boat and will allow you to take on the outdoor elements with confidence.

So what is the best trolling motor for a bass boat? I think it’s safe to say that the Minn Kota Ultrex is the best trolling motor on the market. It’s the ultimate bass boat machine and comes with premium features that will allow you to easily navigate any body of water.

However, It’s tough to call anything the best in a category because it often comes down to personal preference. Having the right trolling motor for your specific boat is essential.

For that reason, I’ve done a ton of research and have put together the following list of the best trolling motors for bass boats out on the market. So that you can make sure you get the right trolling motor that best fits your needs.

 The 5 Best Bass Boat Trolling Motor

  1. Minn Kota Ultrex
  2. Lowrance Ghost
  3. MotorGuide Tour Pro
  4. Garmin Force
  5. Minn Kota Ulterra

Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor

The ultimate bass boat trolling motor that integrates seamlessly with hummingbird fish finders

The Minn Kota Ultrex is the ultimate bass fishing machine. It’s jammed packed with features and is more importantly reliable and durable. If its within your budget, there is no trolling motor better suited for a bass boat than the Ultrex.

This trolling motor is the industry’s first cable steer trolling motor with electronic steering and integrated GPS technology. This combination basically works like power steering making it easy to navigate in any water condition but still giving you precise and responsive steering.

The Ultrex also offers a ton of useful and unique features such as Spot-Lock which is basically an electronic anchor, Cruise Control, Advanced Auto Pilot so that you can follow exact contour lines and other GPS technology features that are pretty hard to beat. It also includes an i-Pilot remote allowing you to control your trolling motor anywhere on the boat.

There are a few different Ultrex models available each with slightly different features such as built in transducers and linking capabilities.

Here are the different Ultrex models:

  • Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot
  • Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot Link
  • Minn Kota Ultrex MEGA DI i-Pilot
  • Minn Kota Ultrex MEGA SI i-Pilot

Beside the price the main difference between the higher and lower end models is the ability to link your trolling motor to your fish finder and having a sonar transducer with DI or SI capabilities built right into the motor.

The Minn Kota Ultrex is the best trolling motor in the business right now. The only negative about this motor is that it does come at a high price tag, but if you have the budge than I would highly recommend making this your next trolling motor.

Features

  • i-Pilot Link Remote
  • Remote Charging cable
  • USB DC Adapter
  • Lanyard
  • Heading Sensor
  • 30’ Ethernet Extension cable
  • Stabilizer
  • Hold Down Strap
  • MKP-38 Prop and Mounting Hardware
  • Spot Lock
  • Advance Auto-Pilot
  • Record-A-Track
  • Linking

Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor

An ultra-quite powerful trolling motor that integrates perfectly with Lowrance units

Another exceptional bass boat trolling motor is the Lowrance Ghost. The Ghost features brushless motor with the most thrust and longest run time of any trolling motor out on the market. It’s lighter, quieter and more efficient than most of its competitors and would be a great addition or upgrade to any bass boat.  

What really sets this trolling motor apart from others in the industry is the cutting-edge brushless design. This innovative design eliminates energy loss, extends running time, and weighs less than other similar models.

The Ghost as you can imagine from its name is well known for being extremely quite motor allowing anglers to stay hidden and sneak up on any school of fish. Although this trolling motor is fairly new it’s had a great reputation of being reliable and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Lowrance has made this motor super easy to deploy with its stow-and-go design that launches smoothly into the water and is easy to stow back on the boat. It’s also compatible with HDS LIVE and other similar GPS systems making it easy to use their waypoint anchoring locking you on your favorite fishing spot.  

The Lowrance Ghost is setting a new standard for trolling motors and is packed with ingenuity, innovation and quality. Lowrance has kept the angler in mind while building this motor and it’s evident through its features and overall design I highly recommend adding this trolling motor to your bass boat especially if you own Lowrance fish finders.

Features

  • Revolutionary trolling motor with cutting-edge design
  • The quietest trolling motor in its class
  • Innovative propulsion technology with brushless motor
  • 25% more thrust and up to 60% longer run time without charging
  • Complete touchscreen control from your HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon, or Elite Ti2 display (not included)
  • Powerful, precise anchoring
  • Plug-and-play Lowrance sonar
  • Unique fly-by-wire steering
  • Programmable foot pedal for favorite actions
  • Integrated battery-level indicator
  • Compatible with virtually any boat setup
  • Works with 24V or 36V systems
  • 360° breakaway mount
  • Integrated stabilizer bar
  • Dual-action gas spring for easier launch

MotorGuide Tour Pro Trolling Motor (HD+ Sonar)

One of the highest performing and durable trolling motors on the market

MotorGuide has been making quality trolling motors for decades and has built up a strong reputation and for good reason, their trolling motors are legit. The newest additions to their lineup is the MotorGuide Tour Pro.

This is an outstanding machine and is one of the most durable, reliable and easy to use trolling motors out on the market. It’s packed with premium features, like 360 Breakaway, Zero-G lift assist, a no flex foot pedal, and one of the industry’s most accurate GPS systems.

MotorGuide also offers a Pro Tour model that is a little bit more affordable but lacks some sonar quality and features.

The MotorGuide Pro Tour is nothing short of amazing. It has all of the features you would want and some that you’ll realize you can’t live without. If you are in the market for a new trolling motor than the Pro Tour is worth strongly considering.    

Features

  • Only true cable steer with GPS anchor
  • Most powerful Zero-G lift-assist system
  • Tour-tested durability
  • 360 Breakaway system
  • No-Flex metal foot pedal
  • Oversized metal outer column
  • HD+ universal sonar compatibility
  • High performance Katana weedless prop
  • MotorGuide’s Bulldog locking latch system

Garmin Force Trolling Motor

A powerful and efficient trolling motor that is packed with technology

The Garmin Force is another new trolling motor that has hit the market recently and is starting to create a lot of buzz. It’s powerful, efficient and quite, making it a perfect match for any bass boat.

Right out of the box you get a ton of features with the Garmin Force. It comes with sonar integration, precise boat control powered by Garmin GPS, remote control, a high efficiency propeller and much more. It’s also built with durability in mind and is backed by a 3 year warranty.

A unique Garmin Force feature that other companies don’t have is their wireless foot pedal. The wireless foot pedal runs off of two AA batteries and connects to the motor via Wi-Fi (it does come with a cable option as well). The wireless compatibility helps keep your front deck clean and cable free.

If you are looking for a quiet, powerful and efficient trolling motor that is innovative and packed with the must have features than the Garmin Force Trolling Motor is definitely worth checking out.

Features

  • Exceptionally quiet steering and operation
  • Simple chartplotter integration via wireless connection
  • Precise anchor lock holds your boat in the same location while you fish
  • Integrated high-wide CHIRP traditional and Ultra High-Definition ClearVü™ and SideVü™
  • Wireless foot pedal provides instant control and responsiveness
  • Feels and steers like a cable-steered pedal
  • Handheld remote control with full-color, sunlight-readable, transflective display

Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor

A powerful and reliable trolling motor with auto stow/deploy and power trim

Another outstanding bass boat trolling motor is the Ulterra by Minn Kota. This motor will straight up deliver and is a great navigational tool for any boat and angler.

One of my favorite features about the Ulterra is its Auto Stow/Deploy and Power Trim. You can stow and deploy and trim from a remote or from the foot pedal. This technology allows anglers to easily launch their boat when fishing by themselves and in theory you will never have to touch your motor again.

This motor also comes with built-in MEGA Down Imaging and MEGA Side Imaging providing the clearest image you can find without interference.

The Minn Kota Ulterra is an incredible bow mounting trolling motor that is an ideal match for any bass boat, especially if you often fish alone. If you are in the market for new trolling motor, then I would highly recommend looking into the Ulterra.

Features

  • Auto Stow/Deploy
  • Power Trim
  • Spot-Lock with Jog
  • Lift-Assist
  • AutoPilot
  • Digital Maximizer
  • Included i-Pilot Link remote
  • MEGA Down Imaging
  • Multifunction foot pedal

How to Choose the Right Trolling Motor

When purchasing a new trolling motor for your bass boat it’s important to understand the things you should be looking for so that you can ultimately select the right trolling motor that best fits your boat’s needs.

Here are a few resources that will help make sure that you select a trolling motor with the right length, thrust, voltage and features.

Final Thoughts

A trolling motor is a key component to any bass boat. A bad trolling motor will prevent you from being effective as angler and will decrease your overall fishing experience out on the water.

For that reason, having a reliable and high performing trolling motor is critical and is something that every angler needs to have.

In this bass boat trolling motor guide I have shared with you the 5 best bass boat trolling motors that would all be a great addition to any bass boat.

Tight Lines

Aaron Warner

Aaron Warner is an avid angler with over 15 years of experience. He has participated and won fishing tournaments all over the country and enjoys fishing for bass, trout, walleye and other species.

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