The Trolling Motor That Fits the Way I Fish
One of the questions I get asked all the time is, “What trolling motor should I put on my boat?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best trolling motor for you depends entirely on how you fish.
If you’re a bass angler who spends every minute standing on the bow making casts, your needs might be different than a walleye angler who fishes from multiple positions in the boat. Muskie anglers, guides, weekend warriors, and multi-species fishermen all have different priorities.
For me, the answer was simple: the Minn Kota Terrova.
As someone who fishes for just about everything that swims—crappies, bluegills, walleyes, bass, catfish, and even sturgeon—I needed a trolling motor that could handle every situation I put it through. After years of use, the Terrova continues to prove why it’s one of the most versatile trolling motors ever built.
Built for Multi-Species Anglers
I consider myself a true multi-species angler. One day I might be casting weedlines for bass, the next day I’m spot-locking on a river bend chasing giant channel catfish, and the following weekend I’m fishing open-water crappies.
Because I fish so many different ways, versatility is critical.
On my boat, I run a 36-volt, 112-pound-thrust Minn Kota Terrova paired with a 36-volt lithium battery system. That setup gives me all-day power no matter what style of fishing I’m doing.
Whether I’m:
- Anchored on a river for catfish
- Holding on a current seam for sturgeon
- Working weed edges for bass
- Chasing panfish around a lake
- Spot-locking on walleyes
I can fish an entire day without worrying about running out of battery power.
The reliability and durability of this motor have been outstanding.
Multiple Ways to Control the Motor
One of the biggest reasons I continue to love the Terrova is the flexibility it gives me on the water.
Foot Pedal Control
When I’m fishing from the front deck, the foot pedal provides precise boat control and hands-free operation.
Whether I’m working a weedline or positioning the boat for repeated casts, the foot pedal allows me to stay focused on fishing.
Extended Reach for Tiller Anglers
One feature many anglers overlook is the extension cable for the foot pedal.
I can pull the pedal all the way to the back of the boat and operate the trolling motor while sitting at the tiller.
For guides or anglers fishing with partners, this is a game changer.
I can stay in the back running the boat while someone else fishes comfortably from the front deck.
i-Pilot Link Remote
The i-Pilot Link remote is another reason the Terrova shines.
No matter where I am in the boat, I have complete control over every major trolling motor function, including:
- Spot-Lock
- Go To Waypoint
- Drift Mode
- Follow Contour
- Steering and speed adjustments
This level of control allows me to fish efficiently from anywhere in the boat.
One Boat Network Integration
Technology continues to change the way we fish, and Minn Kota has done an incredible job integrating the Terrova into the modern electronics ecosystem.
My Terrova is connected directly to my Humminbird electronics through the One Boat Network.
The setup is simple. Connect the trolling motor to your Humminbird XPLORE unit via Ethernet, and you’re ready to go.
Once connected, the system opens up an entirely new level of boat control and navigation.
With the One Boat Network, I can:
- Control the trolling motor from my Humminbird display
- Navigate directly to waypoints
- Follow contours automatically
- Manage Spot-Lock locations
- Integrate mapping and boat control into one seamless system
For anglers who want maximum efficiency on the water, this integration is incredibly powerful.
Easy Stow and Deploy
Another feature I appreciate every time I launch the boat is the Terrova’s Lift-Assist Design.
Stowing and deploying a trolling motor dozens of times throughout a season can become tiring, especially with larger motors.
The Terrova makes it easy.
The lift-assist system helps raise the motor smoothly and reduces the effort needed to get it back on the mount.
Deploying the motor is equally simple. Push the release and the motor lowers smoothly into the water, ready to fish.
It’s a small detail, but after years of ownership, it’s one of those features you appreciate more and more.
Four Years of Proven Reliability
I’ve been running this Terrova on my boat for more than four years, and it has been absolutely rock solid.
No matter the species, conditions, or style of fishing, it continues to perform exactly the way I need it to.
For anglers looking for a trolling motor that can truly do it all, that’s what makes the Terrova special.
It’s not necessarily built for just one type of fishing.
It’s built for anglers who do everything.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dependable, versatile, feature-packed trolling motor that can handle everything from bass and panfish to walleyes, catfish, and sturgeon, the Minn Kota Terrova deserves serious consideration.
The combination of:
- Powerful thrust
- All-day battery performance
- Multiple control options
- One Boat Network integration
- Lift-assist deployment
- Proven durability
Makes it one of the best all-around trolling motors on the market today.
After four years of hard use across countless species and fishing situations, I can confidently say the Minn Kota Terrova remains my go-to choice.
It’s a true workhorse—and there’s a reason it’s earned its reputation as the OG of the Minn Kota lineup.
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Mike Hehner explains why the Minn Kota Terrova remains his trolling motor of choice for multi-species fishing. Learn about Spot-Lock, i-Pilot Link, One Boat Network integration, battery performance, and more.
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