Pros/cons of each….
I agree. And i have an ulterra with soot lock. 80 pound thrust seems like it would vibrate the crap out of it. But i noticed almost everyone mounts on trolling motor it seemsPole mount no other option makes a shred of sense.
If the wind is blowing out of the west and you wanna fish facing east how ya gonna set there and look at the fish if it's mounted to the trolling motor ?
YMMV
Pole mount - that's what my FIL has and the only one that make sense to me. Simple to maneuver and know where to castI agree. And i have an ulterra with soot lock. 80 pound thrust seems like it would vibrate the crap out of it. But i noticed almost everyone mounts on trolling motor it seems
This! You are correct that it depends on how you fish. The crappie on Sardis and Enid where I fish suspend in open water, and I've yet to see anyone with their transducer on a separate pole. When sniping crappie in open water it's too much trouble to run the trolling motor, scan with one hand, and fish with the other hand. We are constantly moving and scanning. However, I think if you fish brushpiles and standing timber the separate pole could be better. I have a homemade pole mount fom mine that I made just to try. I had discarded the idea of a separate pole, but I'm thinking about trying it again in the standing timber on windy days. I can spotlock, point the xducer at the tree/fish and fish for him without trying to control the boat, stay off the tree, etc. Some of the guys I fish with hate fishing trees because it's harder to stay off the trees in the wind and stay on the fish. Obviously it's all personal preference based on how you fish. I'm no expert and still in the learning curve, but I'm willing to adjust to the situation, and I enjoy fishing trees.Entirely depends on how you fish.
98% of the guys fishing big crappie tournaments have it on the shaft.On a pole is better for spot locking,beginners fishing structure.But chasing suspended crappie its alot harder on the pole.On the shaft its easier to chase down suspended fish.A big heavy boat with crappie brakes make it alot easier also when on the shaft.Pole mount no other option makes a shred of sense.
If the wind is blowing out of the west and you wanna fish facing east how ya gonna set there and look at the fish if it's mounted to the trolling motor ?
YMMV