Bass fishing puts unique demands on a trolling motor — precise boat control around cover, enough thrust to hold position in wind, and increasingly, integrated GPS and sonar. Here are the models worth your money at each level, from tournament-grade to budget-conscious.

Best Overall: Minn Kota Ultrex Quest 90/115
The Minn Kota Ultrex Quest 90/115 with Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar ($2,899.99) tops the lineup for a reason: 90-115 lbs of thrust covers everything up to a fully rigged bass boat, Spot-Lock GPS anchoring keeps you locked on structure in wind, and the integrated CHIRP sonar means you’re scanning the water right from the bow. It’s the motor most tournament anglers land on when budget isn’t the deciding factor.
Best for Sonar-Assisted Fishing: Ultrex 80 Quest with MEGA DI+
The Minn Kota Ultrex 80 Quest with MEGA Down Imaging Plus ($2,499.99) pairs 80 lbs of thrust with a 45-inch shaft and Humminbird’s down imaging built into the motor head — a strong pick if you fish shallow cover and want a real-time picture of what’s under the bow as you idle in.
Best Mid-Range: Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot GPS
The Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot GPS Trolling Motor ($1,549.99) delivers the GPS anchor-lock and route-recording features tournament anglers rely on at a noticeably lower price than the Quest line, with a 60-inch shaft suited to larger boats. A great balance of capability and cost for club-level and weekend tournament anglers.
Best Value: Minn Kota Ultrex 52 80lb Quest
The Minn Kota Ultrex 52 80lb Quest with Spot-Lock ($2,299.99) keeps Spot-Lock GPS anchoring while trimming shaft length and a few premium features, landing at a lower price point than the flagship Quest 90/115 without giving up the core boat-control technology bass anglers actually use.
Best Budget Transom Option: Minn Kota Endura Max 55
Fishing from a smaller boat or jon boat and don’t need bow-mount GPS features? The Minn Kota Endura Max 55 Freshwater Transom Motor ($349.99) is a reliable, no-frills hand-tiller option that covers most small-boat bass fishing without the bow-mount price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spot-Lock worth the extra cost for bass fishing specifically?
For most tournament and serious weekend anglers, yes — holding a precise position on structure or a dock without constantly repositioning translates directly into more casts at productive water.
What thrust do I need for a typical bass boat?
Most fully-rigged 17–20 foot bass boats land in the 80–115 lb thrust range; see our full guide to choosing a trolling motor for the exact sizing math based on your boat’s weight.
Do I need built-in sonar on the trolling motor if I already have a bow-mounted fish finder transducer?
Not strictly, but a motor-integrated transducer gives you a second sonar view exactly where you’re steering, which many anglers find complements a stern or separate bow unit rather than duplicating it.
How long do these motors typically last with regular tournament use?
Well-maintained Minn Kota units commonly run for many seasons; the main wear points are the prop, cables, and battery connections, so rinsing after saltwater or brackish use and checking connections each season goes a long way.
Not sure which thrust and shaft length fits your boat? Start with our trolling motor buying guide, or browse the full trolling motor collection.

