Anyone use a trolling motor on their boats for picking up and setting decoys? I feel like it's such an ordeal to set and pick up the rig when it comes time to do so. I've had my motor for 5 or 6 years and I've always just dealt with it. I hunt alot of tidal water channels that are to deep to walk so everything is done from the boat.

What size trolling motor would I need to be able to push against the tide or wind?

Right now I have the motor set up with bungee cords to pull the prop out of the water while I'm picking up but with an 85" drive it's still such a pain in the ass. Really waiting to see what comes out this year with options for reverse on a surface drive before I make the jump.

Thanks.

You needs a motor with neutral and instant reverse.

Couldn't agree more

Too much trash in the water here to use a trolling motor most of the time. Now that I have reverse it is a lot easier. I don't actually back up that much but I adjust the angle of the boat or stop it when I need to and that helps a bunch!

I don't think you will be happy with a trolling motor for that purpose it would take quite a while to pick up more that a dozen decoys or so.

I really don't find it to be much of a problem picking up dekes with my longtail. I have a rope with a loop to keep mine out the water instead of a bungee cord. I don't know if that makes much of a difference. The key is to surface drive the prop so you don't go to fast when you try to move to the next deke. I rather picking up with my longtail than an outboard because the turning radius is much tighter.

Have done with motor, and with trolling motor, and with push pole. When it's too deep to walk, trolling motor does quite well. What you have to decide us will the weight from the trolling motor battery and tm itself add more weight than you want to the front of your boat. That being said, size of tm should be dependant on your patience level, size of your boat, etc. 55-70 would likely do fine on most. The 55 will be a 12 volt (1 battery), while the 70 or larger will be 24 v (2 batteries). I think I saw a 65 the other day, but don't remember if it was 12 or 24 volt. The larger you get, the happier you'll be if you don't mind the weight of the batteries.

If you go 24v system, and are only using it for decoys, you can get a couple smaller size deep cycle batteries to save weight, since you're only going to run it for less than an hour before you go home and can charge them.

When I have a second guy in the boat it really isn't a problem to me. it's when I'm by myself that it's a pain. If I had either instant reverse or even neutral with a momentary switch I'd be happy. I like the sport H, I'm just not sold on that cast lower unit

Hook a counterweight to your handle when you pick up dekes. You won't have to worry about the bungee.

It's all what you get used to...

Get yourself a gaff, pitch into the current or wind which ever is stronger. Pretty easy by myself. Clutch and reverse is for the mentally challenged. LMFAO. Every time I hear that reverse talk its like holy shit the sky is falling I can't go duck hunting because I don't have reverse.

Get yourself a son, put waders on him and problem solved.

Decoy pole with hook 18 ft long no problem

Oars

Haha when I woke up this morning I was like holy shit, I'll get a trolling motor. I'd probably just break it anyways.

I'll just keep doing it as I have.

Kibb, the counterweight is a good idea though

Yeah, trolling motors are for fishing in clean water...I've learned to do it solo now for years, having a helper up front is ideal. I use maybe three dozen dekes the first week and then drop down to two dozen so no big deal.