kicker alongside a suzuki 140

[Feldy]

Need some info on the best kicker for 1800 fisherman with suzuki 140. Love the info on the t8 but would like to keep it black. So mercury comes to mind but which one? Pro kicker, bigfoot, or other? And do I really need one at all? Need any info I can get. Just bought the boat last year new and want to do it right.

[CabinBoy]

Mainly depends on what style of fishing you prefer. If you pull a lot of cranks, a kicker isn't a bad option. If you don't, maybe a powerful bow-mount electric is all you need. I believe the new Mercury pro-kickers do have the high-thrust gear case just like the bigfoots, so a 9.9 should do the job. Just make sure you get a long shaft. If you only pull cranks occasionally, I'm sure your 140 will do just fine. I think a lot of the time guys put kickers on just for "the look" or because it seems like everybody else has one, and in reality never end up using them like they thought they would. Good luck.

[Feldy]

My main style of fishing is bottom bouncing and pulling crankbaits. I think the main motor works perfect for cranks. I would like to go alot slower than that for rigging. Would a kicker really help that much or should I just stick to the bow trolling motor for the slower presentations?

[ChuckN]

I've had a kicker on my boat for several years and I really only use it for trolling cranks and a second motor to get me home in a pinch. Not because I think everyone has one.

Usually a main motor will troll 3.0mph, maybe slightly less, but more often I like to troll +/- 2.0 mph. The slightest speed makes a big difference trolling different presentations.

I used to be a religious backtroller and used the kicker for that, but after awhile I felt more comfortable using the bow mount for rigging. I don't get the same feel and control with a kicker like a true tiller boat, simply because the motor is on a far side of the transom.

Suzuki makes a darn nice kicker that will match your motor.

[SteveWilson]

I have 1800 Fisherman with a Johnson 140 (your Suzuki motor in white ) and run a 9.9hp Johnson kicker along side it. I find the 140 trolls down nice and slow but the kicker will slow the presentation down even more although it does make more noise (carbs not EFI). It's nice having an extra motor on board when you venture out to bigger water.