One of the most annoying things to find on a trolling motor is someone else's fishing line wrapped around the propeller.

I post this as a reminder to everyone to check behind your propellers after each fishing trip.

Line wrapped around the prop shaft can prevent normal operation and increase the amount of current a motor needs to operate leading to draining the batteries a little faster.

I confess I let my guard down recently and did not check behind my propeller after the last couple of trips but I did today and found this mess waiting on me:

I use only braid so I know this mess was not mine! I must have picked it up trolling through a lake recently left behind by other fishermen. Thanks!

Also check your propeller shaft pins for bending and cracks and replace as needed! Keep plenty on hand for backup!

Outboard props on occasion too.

Even worse on a trolling motor or gas motor line/weeds/debris wrapped around that shaft can damage the shaft seal and you have water where it doesn’t belong.