Put a motor on it

Kayaks are some of the most versatile watercraft available, but they do have their limitations.

But trolling motors are changing that. And while adding a trolling motor to a kayak used to involve a lot of DIY engineering with products that simply were not made for kayaks, that’s changing. Manufacturers like Minn Kota are creating products specifically to help kayakers get the power they crave.

One of the most obvious limitations for kayakers involves distance. You simply can’t paddle but so far before either running out of time, or running out of energy. And then you’ve got to paddle back.

A trolling motor can change that. While still somewhat limited by your battery, a trolling motor can get you much more distance than just padding. That’s a bonus that most kayakers would love to have. How often have you wished your kayak launching point could be closer to a fishing spot, maybe one you’ve found on Google Maps, that you simply can not reach without a motor?

Third-party companies have cropped up over the years, helping kayak anglers mount motors to their craft. But until recently, trolling motor manufacturers have been happy to keep up with letting other companies do that.

It can be tough

And it hasn’t always been especially easy, even with those third-party companies getting in the mix.

Because of the way kayaks are made, and because so much variation exists in each model, just adding a bracket for mounting the motor can involve lots of drilling, and cutting hand-sized holes for running cable into your kayak. And let’s face it, putting a bit or blade to your beloved fishing craft is unnerving to many folks. Then you have to figure out how to seal those holes and keep them from leaking.

While it doesn’t eliminate entirely the need to drill and do a little cutting, Minn Kota’s Kayak Terrova does make things much easier to get your kayak powered up.

One bit of cutting that is eliminated with the Kayak Terrova is the need to shorten the shaft of the motor itself. The shaft comes from the factory measuring 36 inches, an ideal length for mounting to the bow of a kayak.

In years past, kayak anglers either needed to deal with trolling motor shafts that were longer than they’d like, or they had to put the motor on a chopping block and shorten the shaft DIY-style.

An installation kit made specifically for mounting this motor to a kayak makes things much easier than ever. And the overall design of the motor, made specifically for using on a kayak, is a dream that’s been a long time coming for many kayak anglers.

With the included remote control, which can be hand-held, mounted on a neck lanyard, worn around the belt, or mounted to your wrist, kayak anglers no longer need to worry about how to reach the steering mechanism any longer.

The Kayak Terrova also works with properly-equipped Humminbird Fish Finders, allowing you to control the motor from the screen.

This trolling motor is as full-featured as any of the company’s bass boat-specific offerings, helping turn your kayak into a fishing machine that most kayak anglers never dream of.

The Spot-Lock feature tells your trolling motor to keep you in one spot, elimating the need for an anchor. So when you’re trolling along and you catch a fish, all you need to do is hit the Spot-Lock button on your remote and the trolling motor does the rest. Other features like Autopilt, Drift Mode and Follow Mode will blow most kayak anglers’ minds when they see how effective those modes are at helping them catch fish while getting them from point A to point B.

And if you’re worried about how you’re going to put the trolling motor down and pull it out of the water when it’s not needed, fear not, thanks to the Stow/Deploy Lever.

The roots of kayak fishing are in the ease and simplicity of tossing a lightweight craft in the back of your truck or the roof of your car, and using it to get into super shallow water. And that’s still the reason many anglers turn to kayaks. So adding a motor isn’t for everyone. But for those who want to give it a try, it will open up a whole new world to your kayak fishing adventures.