Gas kicker or electric?

[RIPN LIPS]

I am looking to put a kicker on my 1750 lund fisherman, what would you recommend going with a gas 9.9-15hp or the minnkota vantage? Thanks

[delmuts]

If you do alot of trolling; then i would go with a gas motor. The new electrics have gotten efficient, but a long day of trolling, fighting current or wind will take its' toll.

[GBPackerNut]

Depends on the trolling you do. I have a 17' Alumacraft and run a 24Volt bow mount, it serves me well. If the wind gets too out of hand I will drop my drift sock off the bow and backtroll with my gas motor.

[goose89]

I wouldn't consider a Vantage a kicker. I've had both on last two boats, and both serve very different functions. Like said before....if forward trolling, gas is only way. If slow backtrolling or hovering, Vantages shine.

That said, with improvements to bow mounts (Terrova, I-pilot, and now I-link), I find myself using my Vantage less and less. I can crawl slowly and/or hover nearly as good with my Terrova. My Terrova is always in the water if I'm forward trolling with my kicker as well. Mainly for steering, but also for depthfinder info.

If I had to keep only one, I'd keep my gas kicker. But, with your boat, depending on what you had for a main motor, it would totally depend on what kind of fishing you do most. If you've got a 90 or 115 HP four stroke, a Vantage may be most useful since you could forward troll with main fairly well. Good luck.

[Moose-Hunter]

Both if you can afford it.

I have a Terrovva up front and a 9.9 Pro kicker out back. I troll almost every time out both used either independently, or used together are a Godsend for the run-and-gun fisherman.

IF, God forbid, I had to choose just one... It would be the bow mounted Terrova. It can troll w-a-y slower (back trolling speeds with great control) than the gas kicker and almost as fast when talking trolling speeds. However, run times are way down.

[Northlander]

Go gas on back and a big electric on front.

[HOGEYE]

When going longer distances gas will provide the insurance of a backup should your main engine fail. This was a deciding factor for me for trips to LOTW, Namakan, etc. Already saved me once when I spun a prop in the middle of a big lake.

[DooWap]

I'd go gas kicker if you have a bowmount on the front. With a bowmount and a gas kicker you can fish in any conditions that won't sink your boat!!