Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › 45 or 52 inch Ultrex with Caracal
mike dominick.
I have a 2015 Caracal with the tank under seat and a 10 gallon kicker in back. The boat seems to sit flatter in front than my P4 did, closer to the water. I think in most situations, the 45 inch shaft is plenty of length with this boat, but I fish the Great Lakes at least once a year, and maybe another big body or two a year. Most of my fishing is on the Upper Miss where a 45 is plenty long.Any opinions out there on which length to get with my Caracal?Thanks
I think you will be fine with the 45. Thats what I run for my Ultrex and I travel all over and fish a ton of various bodies of water. Havent felt the need for a 52 yet.
The 45″ will do until the wind gets up or you are on big water. I guess it all depends on whether you want to fish big water on windy days when the boat is rocking up and down and how much fishing you really do in theses conditions. I like fishing windy days down in Texas which means for me a 52″ is needed most all the time. I will always have a 52″. just my.02I would suggest you get the 52″.
I have the 45 and wish I had the 52. Boat is set up with the two rear tanks, it doesnt take much chop for the prop to start surfacing. My next trolling motor will defiantly be a 52.
MossBoss wrote:I have a 2015 Caracal with the tank under seat and a 10 gallon kicker in back. The boat seems to sit flatter in front than my P4 did, closer to the water. I think in most situations, the 45 inch shaft is plenty of length with this boat, but I fish the Great Lakes at least once a year, and maybe another big body or two a year. Most of my fishing is on the Upper Miss where a 45 is plenty long.Any opinions out there on which length to get with my Caracal?ThanksEither will work. It just depends if you want to set it up for those one or two times a year when you fish the bigger, windier water, or do you want to set it up for where you mostly fish. Im running a 45″ on my Puma. Let me know if I can help.JohnJones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
So the reason most want this new trolling motor is “spot lock”! If youre not fishing windy wavy water and a 45 wont get it done, then why does one need spot lock if its not going to work in rough water with a 45″ shaft. Looks like if you want to go this route you need a 52″.
One word for spot lock Phil, current. Can be flat calm, and the boat still will be moving back rapidly when you are off the troller.Re-reading your post, I see what you are saying, but I guess the crux of my post is with the low bow attitude of the Caracal, would the 45 be enough TO work in rough water. And STIP and 921 both think no.I might try and just get a 36 Fortrex for this year and let the bugs get worked out of the Ultrex first.Last edited by MossBoss on May 24th, 2017, 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PhilAddison wrote:So the reason most want this new trolling motor is “spot lock”! If youre not fishing windy wavy water and a 45 wont get it done, then why does one need spot lock if its not going to work in rough water with a 45″ shaft. Looks like if you want to go this route you need a 52″.The spot lock isnt just for windy wavy water. Jordan Lee had the Ultrex on the front of his boat when fishing the classic — of course we were out on Conroe and know what it was like, but not like Ive heard the great lakes), and his 45″ wasnt coming out of the water. I know he wasnt in a Basscat, but the bow attitude was about the same as it sat in the water.Jones Trolling Motor Services870 773 3474Motorguide/MinnKota/PowerPole/Lowrance/Humminbird
MossBoss wrote:One word for spot lock Phil, current. Can be flat calm, and the boat still will be moving back rapidly when you are off the troller.Re-reading your post, I see what you are saying, but I guess the crux of my post is with the low bow attitude of the Caracal, would the 45 be enough TO work in rough water. And STIP and 921 both think no.I might try and just get a 36 Fortrex for this year and let the bugs get worked out of the Ultrex first.That might be a good idea waiting but I just used my Ultrex for the first time last weekend and Im absolutely thrilled with it. Like everyone else I just hope it holds up well and is depandable but it was worth it for me I think to go ahead and get it. I got the 45″ on my Eyra, had a 45″ Fortrex before. Ive had the 45″ Fortrex come out of the water a few times on a very rough Conroe day but it was only a couple of times the entire day. I considered the 52″, dealer had both in stock, but decided the 45″ would probably work best for me. Youll enjoy it no doubt either way, Im thrilled with mine.Last edited by C130 on May 24th, 2017, 2:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I ran a PIV with a 45 Fortrex, I couldnt keep it in the water on big water smallmouth lakes up north, Ive run a 52 since, both in the Fortrex and Ultrex. Im happy with the 52. Heres my weekend forcast:Fri MAY 26 Partly Cloudy 68°43° ?0% WNW 17 mph 38% SatMAY 27 Partly Cloudy/Wind 71°45° ?20% NW 23 mph 38% Sun MAY 28 Mostly Sunny 74°45° ?10% NNW 18 mph 40%
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