I have a campsite on a 50 acre lake that I go to every weekend.  I have a 14' flat bottom jon boat that I can use and I want to get a trolling motor for it.  I will only be using it on Saturday's and Sunday mornings, and 70% of the time it will just be me in the boat fishing.  I don't need a trolling motor to run al day doing laps around the lake.  I just need something to get me out on the water and move around from spot to spot while fishing.  Listed below are the options I have.  What would you suggest I get and why?

Minn Kota Endura I could get 30, 40, 50, or 55 pound thrust

Minn Kota Traxxis 55 pound thrust

Motorguide VariMax 45 thrust

Of those choices, I'd pick the Traxxis 55# with a variable speed. Some day you will fish other places and will apperciate the power and longer battery life. Second choice would be the VariMax, but in the 55#.

An important feature you will want to get is a digital or continuously variable throttle. When you are using half or less throttle (most of the time for me) It will more than double your run time on a battery charge compared to a 5/3 speed set up, and you can actually get the exact speed you want.

You will probably want a transom mount although I have heard from some they like the control provided by a bow mount. But in choppy water you will want to run the motor from the back of the boat to avoid spray and possibly taking water over the bow. However if you fish a lot of bass, where you are pitching into structure, you really need the ability to control the boat with your feet. That calls for a bow mount and perhaps a platform to fish from. Tough call.

I have no experience with MG and have several MKs I use on my boats. They are my only power source, except for a paddle I always have on the boat. The motors are very reliable. However I use an after market variable speed control, much larger and more rugged than the small units they put inside the motors. My impression is that the speed controls are the weakest part of the motor system. Perhaps others can offer more help in that regard.

The speed of your boat will be determined primarily by its displacement and the length of the boats waterline. A larger motor will use the same power as a smaller one when both are pushing the boat at the same speed. So I would guess that a 30 lb motor will move you as fast as a 50 lb motor. That is until you have to come back against the wind. Then the added thrust will make an important difference. The largest 12 v motor I am aware of is a 50 or 55 lb. I have used a 50 on my 12 footer and it goes no faster than a 30lb. So I settled for 40 as the motor that best fit my needs.

I am very pleased with the quiet operation of my boat. Even a squeaky motor tension collar is annoying and fixed immediately. Having a battery also allows for other important equipment such as a fish finder and a bilge pump. So for small water, it is a nice way to go.