Want a GPS trolling motor to make your fishing trips easier and more efficient?
You are in the right place! This post will list the best trolling motor with GPS anchor for both freshwater and saltwater.
Also, we’ll cover how the GPS guided trolling motor works in simple way and the answer some common questions you may have when using the trolling motor with GPS lock.
Table of content:
- What Is Trolling Motor with GPS: Top 4 Features
- How Does GPS Controlled Trolling Motor Work
- Best GPS Guided Trolling Motors: Top 3 Recommendations
- FAQs About GPS Enabled Trolling Motor
Trolling Motor with GPS: A Detailed Introduction
A GPS trolling motor enables a set of advanced features besides simple steering and speed via a wireless remote using a self-contained GPS navigation system.
Trolling motors with GPS are popular among fisherman due to the following benefits:
- Spotlock or anchorlock: It holds your boat over a fishing spot with accurate built-in algorithms, automatically compensating for the wind and current.
- iTracks: Create, record, retrace and return to your most productive trolling paths with a push of the button.
- Autopilot: Choose a heading for your boat and the trolling motor with GPS autopilot will stay on that course with auto correction of the wind, waves, and current.
- Jog: Move “anchorlock” or “spotlock” position 5 ft in any direction with a touch on the remote controller.
Some more advanced trolling motor with GPS will also include an LCD screen that allows you to read the real-time on-the-water speed and adjust it according to your needs.
Here is an introduction video of the GPS trolling motor from MinnKota, the pioneer of this technology within industry:
How Does GPS Trolling Motor Work
Wondering how this magical of trolling motor with GPS works? Is the GPS built into the unit, or does it communicate with your boat’s GPS?
To enable the anchorlock feature, the GPS guided trolling motor has a GPS receiver built into the unit that listens for the signals sent out by satellites so that it can figure out where you are and lock your boat into the desired location.
So generally speaking, the GPS trolling motor is self-contained, and there is no need to connect it to separate GPS receiver or fish finder to make it work.
To enable the Jog feature that commonly comes with the GPS enabled trolling motor, a heading sensor is installed that contains a compass to detect the boat’s heading and communicate it to your trolling motor.
Best GPS Trolling Motors in 2021: Top 3 Recommendations
A GPS controlled trolling motor can save you tons of time and trouble in anchoring. With it, you can have more time fishing than fighting with the elements. Here are top 3 picks with reliable GPS navigation you can buy for kayak, pontoon boat, bass boat, and fishing boat.
#1. Best GPS Trolling Motor Overall: Minn Kota Terrova
The Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor with GPS anchor is our best pick with everything you need out of the box, including the motor itself, the foot pedal, the Bluetooth heading sensor, and a remote control.
It features iPilot system that’s proven to be one of the most trusted GPS system for fishing.
The updated iPilot system means that you have access to all the desirable features of GPS trolling motor mentioned above. For example, automatically navigating your boat in any chosen path with auto correction for the wind, waves, and current.
Besides that, forget about the manual stow and deploy, this Minn Kota trolling GPS electric trolling motor allows you to stow and deploy just by pushing a button on the remote or the foot pedal. You may also control it to go up and down with the press of a button.
Here is a review video review of this trolling motor with GPS hold:
Specs You Might Care About
| voltage | 24V |
| weight | 80 pounds |
#2. Best GPS Enabled Trolling Motor for Freshwater: MotorGuide Xi3
Looking for a freshwater GPS trolling motor? Look no further than the MotorGuide Xi3.
It is a well-received bow mount GPS enabled trolling motor with a high rate of 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon and what makes it stand out from its competitors is the extraordinary quiet operation that’s up to 40% quieter than other models.
This wireless GPS trolling motor features Pinpoint GPS, a system that’s similar to the Minn Kota iPilot, and known for its precision control and a tight hold on anchor point from users.
It offers basic GPS functions including anchoring, jog, heading lock and cruise control. The downside is that there is no auto deploy function come with this motor. To stow and deploy the motor, you still need to use the foot pedal and step on the release lever.
However, compared with Minn Kota motor, the MotorGuide is much more affordable. Be sure to select the with GPS option when purchase as it is not included in the initial package.
Check out the GPS trolling motor review:
Specs You Might Care About
| voltage | 12V |
| weight | 41 pounds |
#3. Best Saltwater GPS Trolling Motor: Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra
When it comes to saltwater GPS trolling motor, the corrosion resistance matters a lot.
Besides the basic function of iPilot GPS trolling motor, including locking onto fishing spots with Spot-Lock, record paths, and command speed, the Riptide Ulterrra makes you safe in saltwater thanks to its advanced corrosion protection and fully encapsulated electronics.
This GPS enabled trolling motor comes with a remote that allows automatic stow and deploy. You can also control it with a foot pedal or a virtual remote on the Hummingbird Fish Finder, both of which are sold separately.
If you are considering a saltwater trolling motor with GPS, the Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra is a good buy with solid support and excellent performance on remote control.
Here is also a video review for this GPS lock trolling motor:
Specs You Might Care About
| voltage | 24V |
| weight | 80 pounds |
No idea how much power of thrust the GPS trolling motor need for your boat? Check out this post for a quick answer (Refer to the Trolling Motor Chapter).
FAQs About GPS Enabled Trolling Motor
Check out some of the most frequently asked questions to make sure you get the best GPS guided trolling motor to fit your needs.
#1. Is stern mount trolling motor with GPS available?
You can commonly see the bow mount GPS trolling motors for boats but the stern mount types are rare.
However, you may convert it by yourself by using a transom bracket assembly. Here is a video tutorial that teaches you how to finish a DIY GPS trolling motor with easy steps.
#2. Does the Spotlock of the GPS trolling motor really work in strong currents?
The GPS lock trolling motor has proven to be reliable with numerous positive feedbacks from users. A tip to make it work well is to make sure you get enough thrust of power so that it could combat the possible winds and current.
Here is a test video of the MotorGuide trolling motor with GPS lock in strong currents:
#3. Does the trolling motor hook up to the existing GPS or is it standalone without additional wiring?
The trolling motor with GPS comes with built-in GPS receiver on its head, so you don’t need to do additional wiring or connect it to the fish finder for it to work.
#4. Can a GPS Trolling motor go up and down (deploy and store) electrically?
Yes, be sure to buy the models that allows auto stow/deploy (such as Minn Kota GPS trolling motors recommended above) instead of those with manual stow/deploy models.