If you bass fish or have seen a bass boat, you have probably noticed the small propeller on a pole in the front of the boat. This is the trolling motor.

Trolling is the art of covering a large amount of water in a short time. Basically, the boat moves across the water, dragging angler's lures through the water. Various lures at various depths can be used but the principle is the same, fish as much area as possible.

A trolling motor is an ancillary motor to the large one that fully propels the boat. Normally at the front of the boat, the trolling motor is used for slow presentations. Crappie fishermen use trolling motors in this way. Since they use multiple rods with lures at several depths, a trolling motor allows them to fish slowly and methodically.

Bass anglers and in particular tournament anglers, make heavy use of the trolling motor. The trolling motor is not used to troll, but rather to move the boat from location to location slowly and silently. Bass anglers fishing tournaments must cover large amounts of water to be successful The trolling motor allows them to do that. Since the trolling motor is electric, it does not make noise that will spook fish, another key element for the tournament angler.

The large outboard on the back of the boat is great for navigating wide, deep, open bodies of water, but what about that honey hole in the very back of the lake? You know the one that is choked up with vegetation, stumps and shallow water? Getting there with the outboard is impossible if not dangerous, but the tournament purse may lie on your ability to get to that area. Good thing you have a trolling motor.

The trolling motor will get you into tight spots that the large motor cannot. Shallow water, stumps or vegetation can be trouble for the big outboard motor, but the trolling motor can work right through it. If the trolling motor does get choked on weeds, cleaning it is a snap since you only have to lift it out of the water.