Best kayak trolling motors for the money in 2020. Tried, tested & reviewed

Kayak fishing is a great way to hit the water and get to those hard to reach fishing spots. Nowadays you can outfit your kayak with more options than a Swiss Army Knife but one of the first things you should get, in our opinion, is a kayak trolling motor. Paddling yourself around is fun and all but after a long day of fishing the last thing you want to do is paddle yourself back across the lake.

This is where a trolling motor comes into play. Your kayak trolling motor will do all the hard work for you while you sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Of course you’ll need to make sure that your kayak with a trolling motor is outfitted with a place to hold your marine fishing tackle backpack, battery and a trolling motor mount, but these are both relatively easy things to accommodate within most kayaks.

Another issue that comes up when looking for kayak trolling motors are, “Which trolling motor is the best for kayaks?”, “What are the best electric motors for trolling kayaks?” and “What is the best trolling motor for kayaks in saltwater?” Lucky for you we’ve done the research and have come us with a list of the top 5 trolling motors for kayaks for the money in 2020.

Enjoy Our Reviews of Kayaks Trolling Motors

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	1. Newport Vessels NV-Series 36 lb. Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor with 30" Shaft	Our Favorite	Amazon
	2. Newport Vessels Kayak Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Kayak Trolling Motor with 24" Shaft	Premium Pick	Amazon
	3. Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Kayak Trolling Motor with 24" Shaft	Great Value	Amazon
	4. Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Freshwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor (30" Shaft)		Amazon
	5. Watersnake ASP Salt Water Transom Mount Trolling Motor with 24-Pound Thrust, 24-Inch Shaft, 12-Volt		Amazon

Pricing of these Electric Motors for Kayaks Range Between $95-$210

Newport Vessels NV-Series 36 lb. Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor with 30″ Shaft Review

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The Newport 36 lb Transom Mounted kayak trolling motor is a great little motor for fishing kayaks and is surprisingly powerful for its size. My favorite feature is its 8 speeds, 5 forward and 3 reverse, which make it stand out against other kayak trolling motors of similar use. It has a 2 blade propeller and is designed for use with a 12-volt Deep Cycle battery or marine battery. This kayak trolling motor is effortless to operate and is saltwater compatible.

While the reversing speeds could have more smooth transitions, overall it is very controlled and easy to use. It’s also very lightweight for the amount of thrust it gives so it won’t weigh down your kayak. Another positive feature is the 30-inch shaft, which is large for a 36 lb motor. This kayak trolling motor has an impressive battery life and a 5-point LED display built onto the head of the motor, allowing you to see exactly how much power you’ve used on each trip.

The one downside to this kayak trolling motor is that it needs to be used on calm water, its one of the best trolling motor for kayaks. The reason being is that there is a poor seal on the top of it and if any big waves come over the top water may leak in and potentially damage the motor. For this reason, it is best to use this trolling motor on inland lakes or at least check the weather before venturing out.

Pros

• Saltwater compatible
• 8 speeds
• Controlled movement
• Lightweight
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Choppy reversing
• Best for calm water

Newport Vessels Kayak Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Kayak Trolling Motor with 24″ Shaft Review

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The Newport Vessels Kayak Series 55 lb kayak trolling motor from Newport was the first of its kind and is specifically designed for use on kayaks. This kayak trolling motor is very smooth and quiet but still packs a punch with a 55 lb thrust, making it perfect for catching shallow water fish without scaring them away.

It has 8 speeds in total, 5 forward and 3 reverse, and a 24-inch shaft that you can easily adjust to the depth of the water you are kayaking in. It also has a 6-inch handle with a telescoping feature that makes it easy to control. Fishing from a kayak isn’t always the easiest fishing technique, but the benefits make it worthwhile.

This kayak trolling motor makes the whole venture that much easier. The 5’6″ battery cables allow you to secure your battery anywhere on the kayak, making it easier for you to distribute weight appropriately for a stable fishing experience and easily recharged with a marine battery charger. The 5-point LED battery display enables you to easily monitor how much charge is remaining.

You will likely be pleasantly surprised with the power efficiency delivered by this 55 lb trolling motor. As is expected with any kayak trolling motor, you should avoid frequent capsizing in order to prevent damage to the motor.

Pros

• Smooth and quiet
• 8 speeds
• Long battery cables
• Long lasting battery
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Avoid capsizing

Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Electric Kayak Trolling Motor with 24″ Shaft – Small Trolling Motor for Kayaks Review

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Specifically designed for use on a kayak, the Newport Vessels 36 lb Transom Mounted Electric Kayak Trolling Motor comes with 8 speed variations and a 24-inch fibreglass shaft. When it comes to kayak trolling motors, shaft size matters.

While this is not the longest shaft on the market, it can be easily adjusted for any depth within its range. Its aluminum motor head and stainless steel hardware make it saltwater friendly. An added benefit to this kayak trolling motor is its 5’6” cables. Long cables are essential to establishing proper weight distribution while fishing from a kayak. It also has a 6-inch telescoping handle allowing for precise steering in the water.

The 2-blade propeller reduces drag and increases balance. This Newport kayak trolling motor enables your kayak to move smoothly and quietly through the water so as to not scare away fish which is great if your looking to have a kayak electric motor setup. You will even be able to fish shallow coves without disturbing the fish below.

It is designed for use with a 12-volt deep cycle battery and has a battery level indicator on the handle of the trolling motor so you can see how much charge you have left at any time.

Pros

• Saltwater resistant
• Long cables
• Battery level indicator on handle
• Precise steering
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• 24-inch Shaft

Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Freshwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor (30″ Shaft) Review

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Minn Kota has established a name for themselves in the boating world and the Endura C2 30 Freshwater Trolling Motor makes a solid contribution to their positive brand recognition. This kayak trolling motor is a 12-volt freshwater motor with 30 lbs of thrust and a 30-inch shaft. With this kayak trolling motor you can be out on the water within minutes of its delivery.

Just take it out of the box, attach it to your kayak or boat, and away you go. It is incredibly smooth when it’s in the water and there is a seamless transition between its 8 speeds due to the easy click feature. The depth control on the shaft is really easy to adjust and it comes with both tilt and steering lock capability built in.

Saltwater anglers beware as this kayak trolling motor is not intended for use in saltwater. It also doesn’t compete well with high wind or waves. I would also like to see some longer cables included, but overall this Minn Kota kayak trolling motor provides a good value.

Pros

• 30-inch shaft
• Tilt and steering lock
• Easy click speed control
• Great manoeuvrability
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Could use longer cables
• Not for saltwater use

Watersnake ASP Salt Water Transom Mount Trolling Motor with 24-Pound Thrust, 24-Inch Shaft, 12-Volt Review

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While this kayak trolling motor doesn’t have numerous speed settings or super high thrust as some other trolling motors on the market, it makes up for it with it’s incredibly lightweight and it’s overall simple design. Weighing in at just 6.7 lbs this motor will certainly not weigh your kayak down.

It is suitable for saltwater use and provides 24 lbs of thrust. Designed for kayaks, it is a 12-Volt trolling motor and you can expect a 24 amp draw at maximum speed. You will have the choice of either tiller steer or electric foot control to have full control over your kayak with a motor.

The Watersnake ASP kayak trolling motor is ideal for the fisherman that values lightweight and portability and also prefers to fish in the shallows. If that is you, this kayak trolling motor provides a great value at an affordable price.

Pros

• Simple design
• Designed for kayaks
• Lightweight
• Great for shallow water fishing
• Suitable for saltwater

Cons

• Low overall thrust
• 1-year Warranty (Battery not included)