Advice on a new Minn Kota

[Fish Head]

I'm looking to purchase a new Minn Kota bow mount for my 16ft aluminum boat. I’ve been looking at the Minn Kota HSOforum and I’m having trouble figuring out the difference between the Maxxum, PowerDrive and the All Terrain.

Obviously by the name alone, the All Terrain is designed for heavy weeds and areas that are usually more difficult to access.

Is the main difference between the Maxxum and the Powerdrive the mount? Which one would you guys with experience recommend?

I want to get the most thrust I can on a 12v, which seems to be 55#. I also want the auto pilot for sure. I haven’t decided yet on the co pilot.

I’m looking for good recommendations and to start a conversation on preferences.

Fish Head

[Deitz Dittrich]

IF you want the autopiolet for sure, then you really dont have much of a choice.. The Maxxum and All lterrian units are a cable driven unit not a auto piolet unit.

[Fish Head]

Well that can narrow my choice quite fast. A couple of my friends have auto pilot and I think it works great when you are fishing walleyes in the wind. Without auto pilot you can't take your eyes off the motor for 30 seconds or you're already way off course. I think it's worth having.

[wisconsinfish]

I prefer the cable drives, only because the battery tends to last longer as that you don't have an electric motor doing the turning for you. They also seem to have a sturdier mount when you are in big waves. I've fished with both and can't knock either. Just a preference really. The maxxum and the all-terrain are basically the same unit with different drive motors. The maxxum is supposed to run at a cooler temp. and use less battery power. It is also supposed to be quieter.

J.T.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I can see where the autopiolet unit would be nice to have when walleye fishing. I have the Maxxum and simply love it.. But then again I am more of a bass head!

WisconsinFish is correct(also, welcome to fishingMinnesota.com) those 2 units are very similar and you described it well!

[gspman]

If you are a basser then I would go with a cable drive unit. Quicker handling.

If you are a walleye guy then I'd lean to the auto pilot unit. Autopilot is good for trolling/dragging at slow speeds.

If you want autopilot then you will be eliminating the cable driven units as they don't have that feature.

I'd also get one that is set up for univsersal sonar. A very nice feature if you are in the front of the boat a lot.

Either way I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Surface Tension]

I'm a walleye guy and the Auto Pilot is the cats meow for trolling.

I can see were the cable drives would be better suited for short bursts and working tight areas.

Pick a motor that suits your type of fishing.

[Dan Wood]

I prefer cable drive TMs, but as noted by ST, which is better will depend a lot on your fishing style.. For bass fishing and vertical jigging I really like the quick response of the cable drive. The biggest difference between the models is response time (cable much quicker response than electric steer) and durability (Maxxum is the most heavy duty of the Minnkota line). As noted above, the autopilot isn't an option on the cable drive motors.

[Fish Head]

Great discussion guys. I appreciate the info! I do all types of fishing, but probably more walleye than bass. I love the fact that the cable drives are quicker responding, but I’m not sure it’s enough to make me give up having the auto pilot feature. When you’re fishing walleyes in chop, the auto pilot is awesome. I’ll have to give it some continued thought……

GO VIKINGS