Brand and Model kicker?

[Dahitman44]

Starting a new thread --

What brand or model kicker do you think is best?

about what cost?

controls or not?

[TonkaBass]

not a walleye guy at all but I know the Yamaha T8 has been a fav of many for years.

[Dahitman44]

I have heard a ton about that one as well

[PerchJerker]

I've always had Merc kickers because of the twist-grip shifting. Currently I have the Pro Kicker, it's a nice motor. I control it from the tiller. I've thought about using a removable bar to tie it to the big motor and adding a Trollmaster throttle control, but have never felt the need. I like running it as a tiller. For open water trolling I occaisionally run it from the console, just set the speed on the kicker and use the big motor as a rudder for steering.

I've been around T8s a lot too, they're also great motors.

[Deep_Sinker]

Yamaha T8 remote controls for me. T8 is bullet proof, economical, and has great performance whether you're lindy rigging or pulling downriggers on Lake Superior. I fish Lake Superior a lot so this is why I went with remote, but also love it for my style of walleye fishing. In fact, I hardly ever use my bow mount anymore. I think I used it 2 or 3 times last year. I like being able to drop the kicker motor in the water and start without hardly batting an eye. Controls my Lund Fisherman very well and trolls all day on a couple cups of gas...

[Northlander]

T-8 is a awesome kicker motor as is the Merc Pro Kicker. Either one you go with you cant lose. I would hook it up to run at counsel. Much easier in big waves than standing in back running as a tiller. A trollmaster or simular product is a awesome tool. I will have one on my new kicker when I find one. I want a t-8 to match my 115 yamaha 4 stroke.

[wplatehunter]

T-8 has been a great motor for me.

[fishwater]

If you can find a deal on suzuki, I wouldn't be afraid to match your big motor. Suzuki's are the same as the johnson 9.9 4-stroke kickers. I'd imagine you might get a slightly better resale with matched motors if that matters - who knows though?? I think the merc pro, T8 and suzuki are the ones that offer models with power tilt - suzuki started in 08 with that option. I haven't had any issues at all with mine, runs great now that I've broken it in well. I do like the merc twist grip shifting though...

[goose89]

My T8 has been bulletproof, along with a Trollmaster, I'm very happy.

Suzuki and Johnson are no longer the same (I believe, since 2006). I don't know much about either kicker, but newer ones, at least, are not the same, as were the pre 2007 Suzuki/Johnson 4 strokes. (also love my DF 140 Suzuki).

Good luck and hope you find a good deal.

[marine_man]

I think it's tough to make a bad choice when it comes to brand. I'm a big fan of the T8, but if you're going to run it as a tiller, the twist grip shifting is very convenient - shift and run throttle without removing your hand from the handle.

marine_man

[fishwater]

Suzuki and Johnson are no longer the same (I believe, since 2006).

You sure? I'm pretty certain the few 4 stroke models still being offered are suzuki's - at least for the 07 and 08 I think it is true. My brother has an 07 Johnson, I have an 08 Suzuiki - they are pretty much the same engine as far as I can tell. The high thrust suzuki has a slightly different gear ratio and bigger alternator compared to the Johnsons - the regular df9.9 is identical.

[bassNspear]

I believe the T8 has been a great motor. They dont make it anymore i believe the make it in a 9.9 now!

[goose89]

The T8 is still on their site, last time I checked, but they did add the 9.9, I believe, to keep in line with all the other 9.9s.

[goose89]

Fishwater,

I think I'm wrong. Looks like Suzuki at least for 2006, still "made" Johnson 4 strokes 30HP and down. Nothing bigger though, since then. My bad.

[bassNspear]

The T8 is still on their site, last time I checked, but they did add the 9.9, I believe, to keep in line with all the other 9.9s.

Im pretty sure there not making the T8 ne more, its a T9

[goose89]

Maybe Yamaha hasn' updated their site, then. My bad, again.

[Bigsmitty]

Yami T8 has been great for me. Thinking about putting a remote this season.

[marine_man]

Bass N Spear is right here... no more T8.. just a T9.9

I wonder what the reasoning on that one was...

marine_man