Prowler Trolling Motor Review

This post is a Bass Pro Shops Prowler trolling motor review. My name is Capt Jim Klopfer and I have been a fishing guide in Florida since 1991. I have had several of both the bow mounted and transom mounted versions. I am going to give my personal opinion and share experiences that I have had with these products that I have used on my Sarasota fishing charters.

Both versions of the Bass Pro Shops Prowler trolling motors are 12 volt. This is one of the main reasons I chose them. I use trolling motors to work shorelines and adjust my drift. Rarely do I run it long enough or hard enough to drain the battery. These motors are made for Bass Pro Shops by Motor Guide, that is fairly obvious. The primary advantage of the Prowler trolling motors is simple; they cost less.

Bass Pro Shops Prowler TSW55/36B Transom Mount Saltwater Trolling Motor Review

I have owned several of the Bass Pro Shops Prowler 55/36 trolling motor. It has 55 pounds of thrust. The shaft is 36″ long. It is a 12 volt motor. I currently use it on my 14′ Alumacraft Jon boat for my river fishing charters for snook, jacks, and bass. It works fine and the battery will last all morning or afternoon.

I also had this motor mounted on the transom of my previous bay boat. It was a 20′ Key West Bay Reef. Surprisingly, it did quite well on such a heavy boat. I mainly used it to correct the boat position as I drifted with the wind or current. However, I also used it out on the beach tarpon fishing, and it moved the boat well enough. It also has a volt meter, which is a handy feature.

Things I liked about the Bass Pro Shops Prowler transom mount trolling motor

Overall, I found this motor to be a decent unit for the price. I had a Motor Guide transom mount trolling motor and prefer the Prowler to it. It was relatively durable and reliable.  I like the tilting mechanism better than the Motor Guide. The battery meter and extending handle are convenient. I give it 3.3 stars out of 5. This is just OK, however this is as good or better than the other saltwater trolling motors from Minn Kota and Motor Guide that I have used.

Things I did not like about the Bass Pro Shops Prowler transom mount trolling motor

There are a few downsides to this motor. Some of the hardware and bolts with rust. It is important to rinse it well in fresh water and lubricate the bolts and hardware. This is especially true with the large mounting screws. They will rust and seize up if that is not done. Also, the collar that adjusts the depth does not slide as smoothy as it could. Also, the bushing kinda of “walk” out of the shaft bore. No big deal, just a nuisance to slide them back in.

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TSW55/36B transom mount trolling motor.

Bass Pro Shops Prowler SWB55/50B Bow Mount Saltwater Trolling Motor Review

I have had several of the Bass Pro Shops 55/50 bow mounted Prowler trolling motors. I had it on two bay boats; a 20 foot Key West and my current 22′ Stott Craft. The Key West was heavier. It is a 12 volt motor with 55 pounds of thrust and a 50″ shaft. I give this trolling motor a 3.75 out of 5, mostly for the value. It is a decent unit at a very good price.

Things I liked about the Bass Pro Shops Prowler bow mount trolling motor

The first thing, obviously, was the price. At less that $500, it is a bargain for a saltwater trolling motor. It was sufficient for my needs, but again, I do not use trolling motors extensively. Anglers who run it all day into wind and current will need a 24 volt of 36 volt unit. It deploys well and I found it to be reliable. I liked the volt meter and extending handle. The breakaway bracket worked very well and is adjustable. I like the “latch and door” on the front which makes taking the motor off of the boat very easy.

Things I did not like about the Bass Pro Shops Prowler transom mount trolling motor

The brackets, hardware, and shaft showed signs of corrosion sooner than I thought it should. Anglers should constantly loosen and lubricate the bolts that adjust the breakaway bracket as well as the “latch and door. Also, the shaft length is borderline on boats with some free board. Perhaps they factor in that a 55 pound thrust motor is not going to be used on a larger boat.

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SWB55/50B trolling motor.

In conclusion, this post of my Bass Pro Shops Prowler trolling motor review should help anglers decide if this is a good choice for their boat!