Lund Pro V 1875 200 L6 kicker or vantage

I am purchasing a Lund Pro V 1875 with 200L6, with windshield. I have been a tiller guy all my life with a smaller Lund Rebel 16′ and am having a tough time giving up back trolling. I have a Minn Kota Terrova 36V upfront, but still want to back troll lindy rigging for walleyes. I grew up that way and my Dad’s first comment on the boat will be, a steering wheel?

I have had my rebel for 25 years and this will be a huge change. I will fish walleyes mainly but will occasionally fish Superior or Michigan for Lakers and salmon, not that often. With the weight of the boat and motor, I was told that a 9.9 or 15 kicker will be the best way to go, but I wanted other opinions on kicker vs Vantage. Back trolling I like to get it down under 1 mph and even times .5 mph.

I am also having the boat wired for 3 postions (bow, Console and back of boat for back trolling) in the boat for a Lowarence Elite 9, and using my current Elite 7 HDI also.

I appreciate any thoughts as this is the boat I will be using for the next 25 years.

I’ll get in lots of trouble here but IMO backtrolling was something people did before bow mount trolling motors. Your Terrova with spot lock will help you once you get use to it. Because of how you grew up fishing you will buy a kicker to backtroll with, before doing that just spend a week learning what the Terrova can do, you might like it and save a few bucks in the process.

Dutchboy,
Thanks and no problems on the back trolling! It is a hard thing to leave after you have done it for 45 years.

Kicker, just for the fact it’s a great backup for big motor.

You almost have the complete perfect walleye boat. With the kicker you will close the deal. There are tons of occasions you will be happy to have the kicker. One big one is insurance to get you back to port if the big engine gives out for some reason. The big lakes are no place to be with just an electric to get you home. I use my 9.9 along with the terrova to conserve battery power in strong current and headwind. Use the terrova to steer with the kicker providing 60% of the power. Use the kicker to move from spot to spot if spots are close to each other. While running the kicker you are charging the starting battery which can be a factor. If you are blown off a spot while getting bait or netting a fish the kicker will get you back in action quiker. A 9.9 is plenty for your boat the 15 would just be excess weight. In my opinion the kicker adds an element of safety and adds many options to your fishing.

I like to go backwards too. First crack at the fish.
Vantage would be better for slower speeds without having to deploy a parachute.

I second what Dutch said. You’ll like it even better if you have link on your Terrova. You can sit anywhere in the boat you want. And spot lock is great. I was in the same predicament as you. I had a tiller Pro V with a Vantage and I loved back trolling. It was hard to make up my mind to get my Pro V with steering. But now I wouldn’t go back. I have a Yahmaha T8 kicker which I very seldom use for trolling. I do use it in very shallow water to get in and out. It nice to have if your’e out on a big lake and your main motor takes a dive.

To truly back troll on the kicker is a huge challenge on my set up. I would suggest trying it before you fully commit to that route. I have a 4 blade “high propulsion” and it doesnt go backwards very well (I hear 4 blade are really different going backwards). We have tried it landing in rocky shore lines and you would think it’s my first time driving a boat. It is also a PIA to steer with the location of it to get to the tiller. With that said, it might be to the way I set it up off center so the props can never touch. FYI I did by the kicker on this site from someone who felt it porposed his 17 ft ish boat to much.

Had a Vantage on my Skeeter. Sold it. Kicker and Terrova for steering trolling. Works great. Terrova for rigging going forward. 0 to 1 mph no sweat.

I was a tiller troller and I have to say I missed so much I bought a smaller tiller boat for the days I just had to backtroll again. There is just something about the closeness of the water or the precision backtrolling can only do. I have a 18 ft stratos with the setup you are contemplating mine is a 15 merc and I am overpowered back there. Great feature already mentioned is trolling with the kicker steering with the terrova not to mention follow rhe contour still works great with that set up. I have the connecting rod to the big motor for the days when the help gets every fish on and I just keep steering the boat, might just be a little lazy there. Disadvantage of kicker is weight and balance of your boat. I redistributed batteries to balance my boat again.

Mike