A trolling motor can ruin a perfect fishing day if the trolling motor should stop working proper in the middle of a lake. The trolling motor could be gliding silent to the perfect spot for fishing, but then the trolling motor starts making noises, loses power, or stops responding to the foot pedal altogether. Trolling motors work hard in harsh environments as they has to push the boat through weeds, through the water, against the wind, and through changing currents while the angler fishes.
When trolling motors fail, it can be frustrating for the angler as the boat might drift off course, spook the fish, or waste daylight trying to diagnose trolling motor issue. Most trolling motor problems follow a set of common issue that the angler could easily recognize and fix. If a person is unable to fix the issues the trolling motor presents, they will at least have a clear idea of what to tell the service shop where they can purchase replacement part.
The following list details the most common trolling motor problems, their causes, and the actions that a person can take to fix them before they cost too much money.
Common Trolling Motor Problems and Solutions
1. Draining Battery
One of the most common issue that trolling motor owners experience is a draining battery. People start the day with what they believe to be a full battery, but after a few hour of fishing, the trolling motor has died.
The cause of this issue is most likely due to the capacity of the battery relative to the trolling motor. For example, trolling motors with 55 pound of thrust are known to draw 50 amps when on full speed. However, most people try to power these trolling motors using one group 24 marine battery.
Such a battery is not designed to draw so much power continuous. Additionally, the battery that has been used for three fishing seasons may also be draining rapid, giving a false start-up indication. The solution to this problem involves some calculation before heading to the lake.
To calculate the approximate amount of time that the battery will last, divide the number of amps the battery can store by the trolling motor’s amps draw. Then, subtract 20% of that time to account for inefficiency in the trolling motor. The best solution is to use a separate starting battery for the outboard motor and deep-cycle battery for the trolling motor.
Deep-cycle batteries can be wired in series or in parallel to deliver the required amount of power to the trolling motor. By checking the voltage of the trolling motor batteries before heading out on the lake, a person can ensure that the trolling motor will start and run without issue. This will prevent ruined fishing trip caused by a failed trolling motor.
2. Overheating Motors
Overheating trolling motors can lead to a loss of power for the motor. In addition, the motor may become hot to the touch or emit an electrical smell from the unit. Water that passes over the lower unit of the motor cools such trolling motors.
If the trolling motor is getting overheated, it may be due to a few reason. For instance, if the trolling motor is running in thick vegetation, mud may enter the motor and obstruct the cooling system. Additionally, if the trolling motor motor is tilting slightly out of the water on a flat portion of the lake, the trolling motor may also lose its ability to cool proper.
Manufacturers create trolling motors to work continuous. However, trolling motors only work continuous if they remain in full submersion in the water and at a decent speed. If the trolling motor starts to overheat while on the water, tilt the trolling motor up to allow it to cool.
Additionally, clean the propeller and intake area of any debris. Allow the trolling motor to cool for ten minutes. If the trolling motor continues to overheat, there might be an issue with the motor’s bearing or the motor’s winding might have a short.
Pushing a trolling motor that is overheated can permanently damage the motor. Scheduling a professional inspection for the trolling motor is the best option if a motor overheats during use.
3. Damaged Propellers
Another common problem of trolling motors is the damage to propellers. For example, if there is a chip on the propeller or if there is fishing line snared around the propeller, the vibration caused can create stress on the seals and the trolling motor’s bearing. These component are essential to the trolling motor’s proper function. A person may notice erratic movement of the trolling motor or the trolling motor may emit unusual sound at various speed.
Additionally, the thrust of the motor may drop significant while the battery reads full. A person should inspect the propeller after every fishing trip that include heavy weed bed or rocky lake bottom. Any trolling motor blade that loses a quarter inch or more of material, or any blade with deep nick, should be replaced.
Purchasing a spare propeller and a propeller wrench is a very low-cost addition to a fishing tackle bag. However, these tool can save an angler an entire weekend of fishing at half speed.
4. Foot Pedal or Remote Control Issues
Issues with the foot pedal or the remote control trolling motor system are frustrating for angler. These issue may be similar to issues with the trolling motor’s electrical system. For example, if the angler press the foot pedal on the trolling motor, the trolling motor does not respond. The cause of such issue could be due to pinching of the foot pedal cord under the boat’s seat, the corrosion of the foot pedal’s plug, or the wireless remote control system losing its pairing with the trolling motor system.
Testing the trolling motor system with the manual tiller handle can help identify the cause of the problem. Wireless trolling motor controller are convenient but come with quirk. For instance, nearby cell phone, fish finder, or outboard ignition system can disrupt the signal between the trolling motor and the wireless remote.
To avoid this problem, keep the remote control system dry, carry spare battery for the remote control, and have knowledge of how to perform a factory reset on the remote control system. These solution may seem elementary, but they will resolve most problem between the trolling motor and the wireless remote control system.
5. Noisy Operation
Another issue that trolling motors may experience is noisy operation. Noisy trolling motors indicate that the trolling motor’s bearing are wearing down or that the motor’s mounting hardware is loose. A healthy trolling motor make a humming noise when it is working. If the operator hear grinding, clicking, or loud whining noise from the trolling motor, there is an issue with the motor.
The trolling motor’s shaft bearing may have been damaged by impact against dock or submerged log. Ignoring such noise can lead to water entering the motor and causing it to fail electrically. A person should tighten the mounting bolt for the trolling motor.
Over time, vibration from the trolling motor’s operation can cause the mounting bolt to work loose. If there is still noise after cleaning and tightening the trolling motors hardware, the lower unit of the trolling motor requires disassembly to change its bearing. When trolling motors begin to wear down to the point of bearing failure, most people will choose to visit a professional to fix the trolling motor. The cost of labor is minimal compared to the cost of purchasing a new trolling motor.
6. Loss of Power Under Load
Many trolling motor owner experience a loss of power under load. The trolling motor may not be able to maintain the trolling motor’s speed when the boat hit a patch of wind or current.
The cause of power loss under load for trolling motors is a voltage drop in the trolling motor’s wiring system. If the wiring system is of a low gauge, if the wiring system have corroded connection, or if the trolling motor circuit breaker is failing, the trolling motor will lose power. The solution to this problem is to use marine-grade tinned wire of a sufficient gauge to the trolling motor’s maximum draw.
Additionally, the wiring system should be as short as possible between the battery and trolling motor. All connection should be treated with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. Finally, placing a quality circuit breaker or fuse in the trolling motor system near the battery will allow the trolling motor system to receive power while protecting the trolling motor from electrical overload.
7. Steering Issues
Trolling motors experience steering issue when the motor does not respond to the angler’s steering input. For trolling motors with cable steering system, the cable may stretch out over time. For trolling motors with electronic steering system, the problem may be with the transducer or the control board.
If the trolling motor motor experience steering issue, the motor will not track proper to the desired location without the angler making adjustment to the trolling motor. For trolling motors with cable steering system, simply adjusting or replacing the inner core may fix the problem with the steering. For trolling motors with electronic steering system, updating the firmware for the system or checking all the plug for corrosion may fix the issue.
The cons of electronic steering system are that they are more complex than cable steering motor. If the trolling motor’s steering system fail, the angler may not be able to fix it on the water. Having a tiller handle extension or a spare steering cable system can make a big difference when a trolling motor has steering issue. For example, instead of a boat tow service, an angler could fix the motor. Steering system for trolling motors can be purchased in pack with installation instruction for the owner.
8. Corrosion
Another problem with trolling motors is corrosion. This problem is common among angler who use saltwater trolling motor. However, freshwater trolling motor can also fail due to aluminum oxidation or copper corrosion at the trolling motor system’s terminal. This problem may be caused by the trolling motor system’s exposed electrical component getting wet during operation.
If trolling motors corrode, they lose their ability to conduct electricity proper. To prevent trolling motors from corroding, a person should rinse the trolling motor with fresh water after every fishing trip, especially if the trolling motor operate in brackish or saltwater environment. Additionally, treat the trolling motor system’s exposed electrical terminal to which corrosion inhibitor.
Lastly, replace the trolling motor system’s sacrificial anode before they dissapear altogether. Performing these step before leaving the fishing spot will ensure trolling motors do not corrode over time. This preventative maintenance will save an angler from the frustration of a trolling motor failure at a remote spot on the water.
These are the most common trolling motor problem. Additionally, trolling motors usually present these symptom well before they fail completely. By staying attentive to the trolling motor system, angler can act to fix issue to ensure the trolling motor can last for years of great fishing performance.
The next time the fishing boat glides silent to the fishing spot in the lake, the angler will appreciate their trolling motor’s quiet reliability. This reliability will attract more angler to the water spot they fish where the trolling motor hum steadily beneath the fishing boat.