We’ve been using the Minn Kota Terrova on our 12-foot fishing kayak for nearly two years now. This electric trolling motor has become a key part of our kayak fishing setup, changing how we approach everything from calm lakes to choppy coastal waters.
Our Minn Kota Terrova Story
We didn’t set out to buy the Minn Kota Terrova. Originally, we were after the 55-pound thrust, 12-volt model, thinking it would be perfect for our kayak. But with all the supply shortages, they were completely out of stock.
The salesperson suggested the 24-volt Terrova instead. It was more motor than we needed for our kayak, but it was all they had in stock. We decided to go for it, spending about two grand on this high-end trolling motor.
We ended up with the 60-inch shaft, 80-pound thrust version with i-Pilot GPS. It’s got autopilot, but no link to our Humminbird fish finder. While it’s designed for bigger boats, we’ve found ways to make it work well on our fishing kayak.
First Impressions of the Minn Kota Terrova
Straight out of the box, the Minn Kota Terrova looked solid and well-built. The white finish gave off a quality vibe, and the controls felt intuitive from the get-go.
Mounting it on our 12-foot kayak was a bit of a challenge due to its size. We had to get creative with our kayak anchor system setup to accommodate this larger trolling motor. But once we figured it out, it integrated well with our kayak.
Minn Kota Terrova Review
Spot-Lock: A Kayak Fishing Game-Changer
The Spot-Lock feature on the Minn Kota Terrova is truly impressive. It’s like having a super-accurate virtual anchor. We’ve used it to hold steady in water depths from 5 feet to over 50 feet.
For kayak fishing, this feature is invaluable. It lets us stay on a specific fishing spot without constantly having to reposition. No more drifting off the sweet spot or fighting wind and current. We’ve caught some of our biggest fish thanks to Spot-Lock keeping us in the perfect position.
Whisper-Quiet Operation
One thing that really stands out about the Minn Kota Terrova is how quiet it is. Even at full power, it barely makes a sound. This is crucial for kayak fishing, where you’re so close to the water.
The stealth factor has allowed us to sneak up on fish without spooking them. We’ve had success fishing in shallow areas where we previously had trouble due to noise.
Remote Control Convenience
The Minn Kota Terrova comes with a handy remote control. In the tight quarters of a kayak, this is a real plus. We can control all aspects of the motor without having to reach or move around.
We mainly use the remote for Spot-Lock, but it’s got all sorts of other features too. You can adjust speed, steer, and even record and retrace paths. The battery life on the remote is impressive – we haven’t had to change it once in over a year of regular use.
Precision Trolling for Kayaks
The Minn Kota Terrova has revolutionized how we troll from our kayak. We can dial in exact speeds, from a slow crawl of 0.5 mph up to about 3 mph. The motor maintains these speeds regardless of wind or current.
This level of control has opened up new fishing techniques that were hard to do consistently in a kayak before. We’ve had great success slow-trolling for walleye and faster trolling for salmon, all from our 12-foot kayak.
Adapting the Minn Kota Terrova for Kayak Use
While the Minn Kota Terrova is designed for larger boats, we’ve successfully adapted it for our fishing kayak. Here’s how we made it work:
- We installed a heavy-duty kayak anchor trolley to help manage the motor’s power and direction. This allows us to easily adjust the motor’s position relative to our kayak.
- We upgraded to a high-capacity lithium battery setup to power the Minn Kota Terrova efficiently. The 24-volt system requires more juice than a standard kayak battery.
- We’ve tweaked our kayak fishing techniques to make the most of the Terrova’s features. For example, we use Spot-Lock a lot more now, especially when fishing deep water or areas with strong current.
- We added a kayak fish finder to complement the Terrova. While it doesn’t link directly to the motor, it helps us make the most of the precise positioning the Terrova offers.
Challenges of Using the Minn Kota Terrova on a Kayak
While we love our Minn Kota Terrova, it’s not without its challenges when used on a kayak:
Size and Weight
The Minn Kota Terrova is big and heavy, especially for a kayak. The motor head in particular has some heft to it. While the lift-assist spring helps, deploying and stowing it from a kayak can be a workout.
We’ve had to be creative with our kayak storage solutions to accommodate its size. It’s not something you can just throw in the back of your car like a paddle.
Power Management
The Minn Kota Terrova, being a 24-volt system, is power-hungry. We’ve had to significantly upgrade our kayak’s battery system to keep up with its demands.
We now use two 12-volt deep cycle batteries wired in series to provide the necessary 24 volts. It adds weight to our kayak, but the trade-off in performance has been worth it for us.
Learning Curve
Mastering all the Minn Kota Terrova’s features took some time, especially in the context of kayak fishing. The i-Pilot system, while powerful, has a bit of a learning curve.
We spent several trips just figuring out how to best use features like Spot-Lock and iTracks in different fishing scenarios. It’s powerful, but it’s not exactly plug-and-play.
Minn Kota Terrova Performance in Various Conditions
We’ve put the Minn Kota Terrova through its paces in all sorts of conditions, from calm lakes to choppy coastal waters.
Calm Waters
In calm conditions, the Minn Kota Terrova truly shines. Spot-Lock holds position perfectly, often within a foot or two of the original spot. Trolling is smooth as silk, allowing for perfect lure presentation.
It’s in these conditions where kayak fishing with the Terrova feels almost unfair. We can cover water and stay on fish in ways that paddle-only kayakers simply can’t match.
Rough Waters
The 60-inch shaft of the Minn Kota Terrova, while sometimes unwieldy on a kayak, proves its worth in choppy water. It stays submerged even in waves that would have a shorter shaft popping out of the water.
This gives us control in conditions where paddling alone would be challenging. We’ve been able to fish effectively in winds and waves that would have sent us packing before.
Strong Currents
We’ve used the Minn Kota Terrova in some pretty strong currents, especially in tidal areas and fast-moving rivers. It handles them impressively, automatically adjusting its power to maintain speed or position.
The Spot-Lock feature really shines in current. We’ve held position in flows that would have quickly swept a paddle-only kayak downstream.
Pros And Cons Of Minn Kota Terrova
| Pros | Cons |
| Spot-Lock feature holds position precisely | Large and heavy for a kayak |
| Very quiet operation | Expensive initial investment |
| Powerful thrust (80 lbs) for difficult conditions | Requires significant battery power |
| Remote control for easy operation | Learning curve to master all features |
| Precise speed control for trolling | May require kayak modifications for mounting |
| Long shaft (60″) stays submerged in waves | Can be awkward to deploy/stow from a kayak |
| Autopilot feature for hands-free navigation | Overkill for smaller, calmer waters |
| Durable construction | No direct link to some fish finders |
| Extends fishing range and time on water | Adds considerable weight to the kayak |
| Allows fishing in stronger currents and winds | May affect kayak balance and handling |
| GPS tracking for repeating successful routes | Requires careful storage and transport |
| Reduces physical fatigue from paddling | Potential for technical issues in a wet environment |
| Enables effective trolling from a kayak | May attract unwanted attention on stealthy fishing trips |
| Improves overall fishing efficiency | Can be challenging to use in very shallow water |
Value Proposition Of The Minn Kota Terrova for Kayak Fishing
At around $2,000, the Minn Kota Terrova represents a significant investment for a kayak fishing setup. It’s more expensive than many fishing kayaks themselves.
However, for the serious kayak angler, we think it’s worth considering. The features it offers can dramatically improve your fishing experience and success rate. It’s opened up new fishing opportunities for us, allowing us to fish effectively in conditions and areas that were challenging or impossible before.
When you factor in the cost of a good paddle and the time and effort saved by not having to constantly reposition your kayak, the value proposition becomes clearer.
The Verdict: Minn Kota Terrova for Kayak Fishing
After two years with the Minn Kota Terrova on our fishing kayak, would we buy it again? Yes, without hesitation.
It’s been a game-changer for our kayak fishing. The Spot-Lock feature alone has probably doubled our catch rate on some trips. It’s allowed us to fish effectively in conditions that would have been too challenging before.
Is it perfect for kayaks? No. It’s oversized, sometimes challenging to manage on a small craft, and requires some creative rigging to work well. But if you’re a serious kayak angler looking to up your game, particularly if you fish in diverse conditions or want to troll effectively, the Minn Kota Terrova is worth considering.
Just remember, if you do get one for your kayak, be prepared for a bit of a learning curve and some creative problem-solving. You’ll need to figure out mounting, power management, and how to best use its features in a kayak context.
But in our experience, the payoff in fishing performance is well worth the effort. The Minn Kota Terrova has transformed our kayak into a highly effective fishing platform, allowing us to fish with a level of control and precision we never thought possible from a small craft.