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Whether it is the primary or secondary form of propulsion on an angler's boat, a trolling motor is a self-contained unit that can be lifted up out of the water when not in use. Sometimes it's attached to the bow and sometimes to the stern. It has a variety of uses . When used as a secondary form of propulsion, it's used for trolling for game fish and usually mounted on the transom next to the primary motor. It allows for more precise positioning of the boat so that the person fishing can cast the bait where the fish are located

Trolling motors are generally designed with a DC electric motor that uses 12-volt deep cycle batteries for power. The motors are sealed into a watertight container at the end of a shaft and are submerged when operating. Tiller steering is the most popular , with speed control normally positioned on the top of the unit . Trolling motors controlled by hand attach to the boat with clamps.

For smaller watercraft like canoes and kayaks, trolling motors may be used as a primary source of automatic propulsion. Minn Kota, a company based in Racine, Wisconsin, is one brand of trolling motors. The company produces both fresh water and salt water motors in over a dozen of different configurations , all of which have engine shafts made of composite materials suitable for long wear. Minn Kota trolling motors for salt water are made with materials that resist salt water corrosion.

Minn Kota also makes the i-Pilot, which is a GPS-based control system for some of its trolling motors. It uses GPS technology for navigation and positioning that does not require hands-on operation. Available on certain Terrova and Riptide models, it feature cruise control and a special option that allows users to record a fishing track of up to two miles and save it in memory , making it available for later use.

The Riptide series of trolling motors are saltwater trolling motors made for the harsh conditions of saltwater immersion. Any metal-on-metal interfaces feature composite bushings for isolation, which reduces wear and makes the motor very quiet. The tiller steering system is customizable in terms of tilt angle and length. And they feature the Lift-Assist gas-charged spring integrated into the bow mount, which makes it easier to lift the unit in and out of the water.

The Traxxis is a transom-mounted freshwater trolling motor from Minn Kota, with features designed to assist in deploying, stowing, steering, and depth adjustment. Transom motors have been reputied as being difficult to operate , but the Traxxis is created especailly for one-hand stowing without push buttons or release levers. Like the Riptide models, the tiller steering is customizable in terms of handle angle and length. It also has a cam lock depth adjustment which is unlike the more typical tension knob depth control. It allows the Traxxis' depth to be precisely fixed, with no slipping.

A high quality trolling motor like those made by Minn Kota can make the difference between a successful day on the water and a disappointing one. By allowing fishermen to accurately get to the locatoin of the fish , the motors make angling a more precise and fun .