Whether you are fishing on a canoe, kayak, johnboat, or high horsepower bass boat, the trolling motor can be the most important tool at your disposal, and having an efficient battery is a critical component. In fact, having anything but the best trolling motor battery could cost you an enjoyable day on the water.
However, when fishing in smaller vessels such as kayaks or canoes, it is essential to choose a lightweight one.
For that reason, in this article, we are going to look at five quality and dependable batteries. However, we want to take this post a step further, we want to look at what is the lightest battery for a trolling motor with the canoe/kayak angler in mind.
Whatever amount of power you are needing, there will be a battery for you.
Table of Contents
What is the lightest battery for a trolling motor?
Here is a quick preview of some of the lightest options on the market today:
- Mighty Max ML35-12 – 12V
- ExpertPower EXP12180 12 Volt 18 Ah Rechargeable – (Great for a kayak trolling motor)
- Waterblade’s Lithium
Let’s take a closer look at each individual option…
Mighty Max ML35-12 – 12V
Features:
- Dimensions: 7.68 x 5.16 x 7.13 inches
- Weight 23.15 lbs
- Maintenance Free
The first one on our list that we want to take a closer look at is the Mighty Max ML35-12 – 12V.
This is an SLA (sealed lead acid) rechargeable battery that features tight seals and spill proof AGM (absorbent glass mat) technology. It is extremely easy to mount and can be mounted in a ride range of positions.
It’s a pretty compact battery with dimensions of 7.68x 5.16x 7.13″ and a weight of 23.15lbs. You can get away with this on smaller boats and personal watercraft. It might be a little more than you want, but it’s a versatile battery that can provide enough power to run for good chunks of time. We think it pairs well with 30-50lb thrust motors.
This option has a great service life and is going to be able to take thousands of charges before needing replacement. It is also shock and vibration resistant and can provide power in a wide range of temperatures. This one also carries a one year warranty.
ExpertPower EXP12180
Features:
- 20 Hour Rechargeable
- Dimensions: 7.1″ x 3″ x 6.6″
- Weight: 12 lbs
Are you looking for a battery to use on a kayak or a canoe? If so, the ExpertPower EXP12180 might just be the answer.
This 12V 18Ah 20 hour rechargeable battery is an SLA design and features a rugged construction. It features an ABS plastic body which is impact resistant. It is also resistant to shock, vibration, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. It is also small and extremely easy to install.
This option can function in a wide range of temperatures, and all of them fall into any weather scenario you might find yourself in. This option has a decent charge life, but as we will get to in a moment, is not going to be great for scenarios where you need the motor often and at high speeds.
For small, personal watercraft such as kayaks or small inflatable pontoons, this is a great option. It is extremely light at only 12lbs and is compact with dimensions of 7.1”x 3”x 6.6” it is going to take up little room on your craft.
If you are running motors in the 30-40lb thrust range, you need to be wary of energy consumption. This isn’t the one to use if you’re going to be trolling all day.
Waterblade’s Lithium
Features:
- Lithium
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 9 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Maximum Continuous Discharge: 70A
Now I must tell warn you, the next one on our list is not one of the cheapest. However, with that being said, I think it is the best Lithium battery for trolling motors and a great option for kayak or small vessel anglers. It is the Waterblade’s Lithium Battery.
The next question you probably have is, why choose a lithium battery over a standard lead acid battery? While there are many benefits to choosing a lithium, let’s briefly talk about 4 reasons.
The first reason is charge time. Many acid batteries have to sit on a charger overnight in order to reach a full charge.
Who wants to wait all night long to change a battery? Not this guy! Hey, the less time we spend charging the battery the more time we can be on the water. However, with a lithium battery, you will note a noticeable drop in the time it takes to reach that full charge.
Reason number two, they last longer. Sure, the initial cost is much greater than the standard battery, but in the end you probably are going to save more money. This is especially true if you do a lot of fishing.
The next reason is that lithium batteries are becoming better and better every year. With that being said, they are the way to the future. Don’t be left behind. Perhaps now is a good time to get ahead of the crow.
Lastly, they are much lighter. For example, this particular option only weighs 10lbs. Yes, only 10bs! That is extremely lightweight and great for kayak fishermen or any other angler who want to conserve space.
So what do you think? Is a lithium battery the best option for you? If so, you need to check out the Waterblade’s Lithium Battery.
Final Thoughts…
Trolling motors are extremely important tools for fishing and can make a difference in your ability to position yourself and hold in water easily and be able to hit areas you know hold fish. It’s only as good as the battery it is attached to.
In this article, we have provided 3 quality batteries that can be used in trolling motors on kayaks, canoes or anything other small fishing vessels. Without a doubt, you will be pleased with their performance and lifespan. The best part about each of these options is that they are the lightest on the market.
Regardless of type, please be sure to use them in conjunction with a battery box when using where it will be in close proximity to the water.
Now it is your turn. Please tell us what you have found to be the lightest battery for a trolling motor in the section below.
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