Why is the Ultrex a game changer? I am asking because I want to know specifics... I plan on getting one next season, but I may pull the trigger sooner... I rely on you guys to give the 411 on all things fishing and appreciate the positive feedback... thank you.

Without a doubt GPS. Not even close, it opened up every inch of every lake. Pizzes me off that all the young guys have never been completely lost on a lake lol.

No kidding, I may have to agree with gps in place of the ultrex, but it all lumps in with technology like James mentioned.

Agree - GPS far outpaces anything. Try getting around on a new lake without it. If the ultrex breaks down you can still fish. Most people can't find their way back to the boat ramp without GPS. Not to mention marking spots.

It has to be the Ultrex. You can be so much more efficient by not working the trolling motor the entire time.

Hard to choose really. Contour mapping and GPS, side imaging was HUGE advancement, now live imaging, I do think the ultrex changed the trolling motor industry. For me I think the side imaging did more to change my fishing than anything else. I fished offshore some before it but it opened up a whole new world for finding stuff.

Biggest game changer for me is beginning May 24 I will have all the time I want to fish. Otherwise I say my Minn Kota Terrova with i-Pilot

I like this forum, been hanging out awhile , just signed up today.

Technology is way too broad of an answer.

GPS is the answer to the question. Without it your internet/google earth searches don't work well, your ultrex doesn't work, your maps on you graphs don't work etc.

Welcome.

I read on the internet that vexus is the biggest game changer. So I say it's vexus.

I would say rods, reels, and line. Go try and do what we do now with frogs or swim jigs or even a big soft plastic with a 5 1/2 foot fiber glass buggy whip of a rod with a pistol grip and one of those red ambassadors.

trolling motors and the bass boat enabled bass fishing popularity to start growing back in early 70's.....before trolling motors,you had to paddle or use oars and it was work especially if the wind was blowing...at first fish were spooked by trolling motors in shallow water but it didn't take long for them to get used to it...ray scott started BASS and the popularity really exploded....that popularity was made possible by the trolling motor primarily otherwise most people would not have put up with having to scull,paddle or row a boat....

It's basically like having a fulltime buddy who does nothing but run the trolling motor. Essentially an on the water fishing chauffeur. I seriously very often fish from the back of my boat solo because I don't even need to be up by the trolling motor. Also the ability to hold a spot no matter what the wind is doing is absolutely huge. You can fish an offshore hump in 20 mph wind without issue. You can bed fish without issue. Need to retie in wind? Hit spot lock, no more drifting 200 yards off your spot.

Spot Lock was available before the Ultrex, so I don't think the Ultrex was necessarily the "biggest" game changer.

Foot controlled trolling motors

Plastic worms