Long shaft trolling motors are a game changer for offshore saltwater fishing since their excellent performance even on windy days when boat bows often rise to imperious heights.
Having said that, whether to get the long shaft trolling motor or short shaft depends on many factors including your boat type primary, fishing environment (onshore or offshore fishing), as well as the installation location (bow mounted or transom mounted).
For the long shaft trolling motor, you will not want its propeller to hit bottom or want any difficulty in deploying or stowing it properly.
In this post, we will guide you through all you need to know about long shaft trolling motors including deciding whether the long shaft is good for you, the benefits, and top picks in 2022.
Table of content:
- Why Long Shaft Trolling Motor
- Long Shaft Trolling Motor or Short Shaft
- Best Long Shaft Electric Trolling Motors
- FAQs About Long Shaft Trolling Motor
Why Long Shaft Trolling Motor
Trolling motor length comes in various sizes. Choosing the long shaft trolling motor brings a lot of convenience as the following:
If you are considering a trolling motor to be mounted on the bow instead of the transom, a long shaft trolling motor can be a better option because the bow moves much more on the water compared to the transom.
Another ideal application for long shaft trolling motors is offshore fishing where anglers need to deal with the rough seas. A long shaft trolling motor has a better chance to always keep the propeller submerged even in strong wind and current, so you don’t need to worry about the waves lifting the bow too high.
Besides that, the long shaft trolling motors offer a lot of versatilities to make fishing easy. Just think about it: You will be able to hover over a wreck or a good bottom fish mark with the GPS and not have to deploy anchor every time.
However, too long of a shaft can also be an issue and choosing the right shaft length for trolling motor is important. Read on for more ideas on this.
Long Shaft Trolling Motor or Short Shaft
Does shaft length matter on trolling motor? The answer is a definite yes.
Whether the trolling motor shaft is longer or shorter than needed can cause trouble.
It is important to match the electric trolling motor length with proper measurement. To make things easy for you, just follow the following calculation:
| Conditions | Minimum shaft length |
| Freshwater | Bow to Water Line Height + 20″ |
| Saltwater | Bow to Water Line Height + 25″ |
* Add another 5’’ to the final measurement if you are fishing in rough waters.
The rule of thumb is that the trolling motor’s propeller should be kept at least 12 in deep underneath the water. Adding the length above the mounting area (from the water line to the trolling motor head) which is about 8 in, the total measurement is at least 20’’.
So generally, we recommend selecting short and long shaft trolling motors according to the following chart (with consideration to the trolling motor shaft length available):
| Bow to water line | Recommended shaft length |
| 0’’-10’’ | 36’’ |
| 16’’-22’’ | 42’’ |
| 22’’-28’’ | 48’’-52’’ |
| 28’’-34’’ | 54’’-62’’ |
| Transom to water line | Recommended shaft length |
| 0’’-10’’ | 30’’ |
| 10’’-16’’ | 36’’ |
| 16’’-20’’ | 42’’ |
| Over 22’’ | Consult factory |
Tip: Remember to take the possible additional weight into account when measuring the bow to water line height, including the weight of people, gear, motor, and batteries.
Best Long Shaft Electric Trolling Motors
If you are going for a long shaft trolling motor, here are top two recommendations that make the fishing much easier, nimbler, and more efficient with precise control of your boat.
#1. Minn Kota Riptide Terrova – 60″ Shaft with i-Pilot Link
The Minn Kota Riptide Terrova is an electric steer bow mount trolling motor with a 60’’ long shaft and 80 lbs high thrust for saltwater use.
This long shaft trolling motor features an advanced i-Pilot GPS trolling system that allows you to control the motor preciously, hold the boat in position at the press of a button, jog around to different areas, and automatically deploy and retrieve the motor remotely, making it perfect for bow fishing.
What makes it even more appealing and versatile is that the performance of this long shaft trolling motor is much the same in offshore fishing applications where the tide and current can be a challenge for staying still.
See how the long shaft trolling motor Minn Kota Riptide Terrova changes the way an offshore saltwater angler thinks about fishing:
Higher thrust and longer shaft trolling motors (up to 72’’ for this model) are also available. Check out all thrust level and shaft length options on Minn Kota Amazon Store.
If you are looking for a long shaft trolling motor for freshwater use especially, check out this link for more details. Usually, you can get the freshwater counterpart for less, but it loses saltwater corrosion protection at the same time.
#2. MotorGuide Xi5 – 72’’ Extra Long Shaft GPS Trolling Motor
This MotorGuide 72’’ long shaft trolling motor provides 105lb thrust and GPS control for wireless precise operation and easier fishing. The 72 inch long shaft allows you to hold anchor even in rough seas.
Different from the i-Pilot system featured in Minn Kota long shaft trolling motors, the Pinpoint GPS is marked as the industry’s most accurate GPS that offers even more accurate control and a tighter hold on your anchor point.
Designed for saltwater uses (also applicable for freshwater fishing), the extra long shaft electric trolling motor uses corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum and stainless steel to protect it from any possible harm by seawater.
Click here to check what other users have to say about this long shaft trolling motor when they use it on the pontoon boat, for bow fishing, and etc. in real life.
FAQs About Long Shaft Trolling Motor
What is the longest trolling motor shaft?
Currently, you can buy a long trolling motor with a shaft length up to 96-inch which comes from Rhodan Marine. Other shaft length options include 84’’, 72’’, 60’’, 54’’, and 48’’.
Can your trolling motor shaft be too long?
With a trolling motor shaft longer than needed, the trolling motor might hit the bottom and the propeller thus getting damaged. However, you can easily cut the shaft on a trolling motor by using the depth collar adjustment. See how to use it in the video below:
Remember it is hard to extend your trolling motor shaft. So, it’s better to get a longer trolling motor than a short one.