Choosing the Best Motor for Bowfishing: Mud Motors, Trolling Motors, and Kicker Motors Explained

When it comes to bowfishing, choosing the right motor can significantly impact your experience on the water. Each type of motor—trolling, kicker, and mud—offers unique advantages tailored to different conditions. In this article, we’ll explore the differences, pros, and cons of each motor type to help you make an informed decision.

1. Trolling Motors

Overview: Trolling motors are electric motors typically used for quiet, stealthy maneuvering. They are popular among bowfishers who need to approach fish without creating disturbances. Due to their availability, they are the most commonly used secondary motor among bowfishermen. 

Pros:

• Quiet Operation: Trolling motors are designed for silence, allowing you to get close to fish without spooking them. 
• Precise Control: They provide excellent maneuverability and speed control, making it easy to maintain your position while fishing.
• Efficiency: Electric motors can run for extended periods on battery power, reducing fuel costs.

Cons:

• Limited Power: Trolling motors are not suitable for fast travel or heavy loads, making them less versatile in rough conditions.
• Battery Dependency: They require a charged battery, which can limit your time on the water if not managed properly.

In terms of bowfishing, trolling motors are great for going after highly pressured fish and light sensitive species such as bigheads and buffalo, or even "big fish" that are more experienced. Their limitations are that they can only go as long as the battery capacity allows them to and they are limited on how fast they can go. They are also not ideal for going through thick weeds and vegetation, they are more ideal for open waters. 

2. Kicker Motors

Overview: Kicker motors are small outboard engines often used as auxiliary power sources. They provide a reliable backup and can also serve as primary motors for smaller boats. 

Pros:

• Versatile Power: Kicker motors offer more power than trolling motors, making them suitable for both slow cruising and faster travel. 
• Reliable Backup: They can serve as an emergency backup if your primary engine fails.
• Ease of Use: Kicker motors are typically easy to operate and maintain.
• Compact Propulsion: They are more compact than a full size outboard motor, can run shallower, and utilize less fuel. They can run a long time on a tank of gas, whereas a trolling motor will be limited by the capacity of the batteries on board. 

Cons:

• Noise Levels: Kicker motors can be louder than trolling motors, which may scare fish. However they are not as loud as mud motors. 
• Weight and Space: They take up more space on your boat and add weight, which can impact performance.
• Water Cooled Impeller: Mud motors and trolling motors can literally be run outside of the water and the motor will not overheat. Kicker motors are just like outboard motors where they are cooled by water flowing through the impeller, so if the impeller is clogged from mud, sediment, grass, debris etc. then it can cause the motor to fail. 

In terms of bowfishing, kicker motors have more strength than a trolling motor (can carry twice the speed of a trolling motor) which allows you to chase down fish if you need to. You can use them to jump from one spot to another without going back to the big outboard motor as well. Compared to a big outboard motor, they are going to be front steer (rather than console steer in back of boat), and they are significantly more fuel efficient.

All in all, they have more power than a trolling motor but not quite as much power as a mud motor. In terms of noise, they are louder than a trolling motor but not as loud as a mud motor. 

3. Mud Motors

Overview: Mud motors are specialized outboard motors designed for shallow and muddy waters. They feature a long shaft and a unique propeller design that allows them to operate in environments where traditional motors cannot.

Pros:

• Shallow Water Capability: Mud motors can navigate extremely shallow waters, making them ideal for marshes and backwaters.
• Powerful Torque: They deliver high torque, allowing you to push through thick vegetation and mud effectively.
• Durability: Built for rugged conditions, mud motors are typically more robust than standard outboards and do not have to be cooled by water flowing through the impeller like an outboard does. 

Cons:

• Weight: Mud motors are often heavier than other motor types, which can affect boat handling.
• Noise Levels: Like kicker motors, they can be quite loud, potentially scaring off fish.

In terms of bowfishing, mud motors can push through brush, cat tails, sand/gravel and are going to be more durable and more powerful than an outboard kicker. Mud motors are going to be the loudest motor by far due to them being air cooled rather than water cooled. However, this means you don’t have to worry about damaging the motor from breaking or clogging the water impeller with mud, grass, and debris.

Conclusion

Choosing between trolling motors, kicker motors, and mud motors depends largely on your specific needs and the conditions in which you’ll be operating.

• If you prioritize stealth and precision for bowfishing, a trolling motor is your best bet.
• For versatility and reliability, especially as a backup, a kicker motor is an excellent choice.
• If you often navigate shallow or muddy waters, a mud motor will provide the power and capability you need.

Consider your typical bowfishing environment, how you plan to use your boat, and your personal preferences to make the best decision. Each motor type has its strengths, and understanding them will enhance your bowfishing experience on the water.