Just daydreaming of a new boat here.. nothing new...

Was checking out some boats that are more versatile / "family friendly", like some of the dual-consoles or fish n ski type boats. Now, I've always been a center console guy, but I saw a really nice Robalo dual console on social media... let the daydreaming begin... If it were up to me, there would be minimal (at best) consideration for comfort and pleasure, and all efforts would go into fish-ability. Since it's NOT all up to me, as I'm sure most can appreciate, I have to consider these things.

Not sure some of these multi-use, dual-console type boats would properly house a trolling motor. That said, how essential do you consider your trolling motor for fishing for Striper/Hybrids/Sandies?

I have a trolling motor on my boat now, but I mostly use it when I fish for LMB, but I do also use it sometimes when I'm keying on structure at Texoma or Lewisville, when the wind isn't too bad.

What do you think - get by without it okay or it's a must have?

What�s the level above �must have�

Whatever level that is that�s how important it is, lol

I would consider it a "must have", I would not fish without one with ipilot ever again.

I asked guide Bob Maindelle that and he said he would stay home and take up gardening if he didn�t have his smart trolling motor.

Must have... definite gamechanger

Not must have as we all guided for MANY years without them and caught lots and lots of fish but I will also admit I do love having it and like a cell phone it�s hard to imagine how we made it without it

Open water fish. You gotta have an ipilot

Before I had a trolling motor, I caught lots of fish by drifting or anchoring.

Caught even more once I got a TM!

Must have a smart trolling motor! When I find them schooling on top the last thing I want to do is mess with the big motor to keep up with them or the trolling motor when the wind blows me off of them...spot lock and cruise FTW!

You just need a quick disconnect mount.

Agreed to the nth degree. If and when I fish with someone without an I-Pilot and spot lock. Never again !

Define "properly house" a trolling motor.

There are a lot of boats out there these days that are not traditionally set up with trolling motor that are getting them. I have heard of monster 26' catamaran offshore boats using them at oil rigs to spot lock. Where there is a will there is a way. As a matter of fact I just saw a Robalo dual console (206 or 207 maybe?) this weekend with a trolling motor.

Have caught a ton of fish with the trolling motor that I have. Have always had trouble with getting back to a certain spot after catching a fish or fighting the wind when fishing around docks. Just upgraded to an I pilot and spot lock. Can't not wait to use it. Everyone that I know that has one swears by them. They say it's a game changer.

I bought a Motorguide Xi5 this fall and networked it to my Lowrance HDS Gen 3. It is a game changer for sure. Make sure you connect it to your graph, if not you will be missing out 1/2 of the functionality of the smart trolling motor.

The difference between Texoma and lakes on the Brazos and Tawok are the amount of trees. I fished a lot at Texoma and always enjoyed drifting without getting hung up. If you fish the Brazos lakes you better have plenty of hooks, sinkers, and a good trolling motor.
Drifting nilly Willy across the lake on the Brazos will only cause you frustration.