The Electric Trolling Motor - Fargo - Tom's Dream

There was a time when anglers roared up to their fishing spots, threw out an anchor made from a coffee can filled with concrete, and baited their hooks with a mix of oil and gas on their hands.
In 1934 and man named O. G. Schmidt of Fargo, North Dakota connected a shaft and propeller to a Ford starting motor from a Model A Ford. For the first time a boat could be stealthily propelled to prevent the fish from scattering. Schmidt started a company selling these remarkable contraptions, and his company came to be known as Minn Kota. Now these sophisticated trolling motors have virtual anchors that can hold your boat in position despite wind or current. Some have autopilot features that will follow a shelf, weedline, or shoreline.

1934

First electric gear-driven motor

1935

First electric flexible cable motor

1965

First electric motor with reverse switch

1968

First remote control adaptable to other brand motors

1985

First electronic speed control, sold as an accessory (Maximizer™)

1986

First built-in electronic/variable speed control

1987

First electric steer in commercial quantities

1987

First low-profile foot pedal in cable steer

1987

First compact bow-mount, built-in electronic speed control with first automatic electronic battery gauge

1991

First computer-controlled motor, first self-steering unit (AutoPilot™)

1991

First composite, energy-absorbing motor tube

1992

First completely weedless propeller (Weedless Wedge™)

1995

First all-direction breakaway mounting system (Bowguard 360°™)

1999

First fully automatic trolling motor (Genesis™)

2001

First trolling motor with built-in sonar transducer compatible with all major fishfinders (Universal Sonar)

2002

First wireless remote that allows trolling motor control from fishing rod, wrist or belt (CoPilot™)

2004

First trolling motor 3:1 ratio articulated steering system (3X™ Steering)

2005

First trolling motor with gas-charged, spring-assisted stow and deploy (Lift-Assist on Maxxum Pro)

2007

First DualBeam integrated transducer - 83kHz/200kHz with temperature sensing (Universal Sonar 2)

2007

First injection molded composite (Trim Tabs)

2009

First Mono-Arm bow mount trolling motor (Fortrex)

2009

First One-Hand Stow transom trolling motor (Traxxis)

2010

First wireless GPS trolling system (GPS controlled trolling motor navigation (i-Pilot)

2011

First automatic electro-mechanical Shallow Water Anchor (Talon)