The 2024 ICAST fishing trade show in Orlando, Florida, delivered big news for boating anglers. Both Lowrance and Simrad debuted bow-mounted, electric-steer brushless trolling motors designed for salt water, representing the first trolling motors from either brand engineered for ocean fishing.
These motors join a host of recently introduced new models from other brands—including Garmin, Minn Kota and Power-Pole—featuring GPS guidance, rugged marine-grade construction, sophisticated technology, and advanced system integration.
The new saltwater trolling motors from Lowrance and Simrad share the same model name—Recon—and possess the same design, including a brushless motor that operates on either 24 or 36 volts, producing 90 and 115 pounds of thrust, respectively. By the way, the Simrad version of Recon represents the first trolling motor ever from this long-established brand.
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These manually deployed, electric-steered trolling motors boast a unique joystick remote called Freesteer. Incorporating a color LCD display, the remote is lightweight and wearable, providing 360 degrees of manual steering, as well as activation of automatic functions.
With the Lowrance version of Recon, the remote can be combined with a wireless foot pedal with a programmable keypad and seamless integration with Lowrance multifunction displays via an NMEA 2000 network. The Simrad version also grants full integration with a Simrad MFD display via NMEA 2000.
The new trolling motors also feature a GPS-guided virtual anchoring system that holds boats within a 3-foot radius. A unique jogging function allows anglers to execute diagonal moves in eight directions. There’s also the option to move virtual anchor positions in almost any direction. The carbon-fiber-infused shafts carry lifetime warranties, while the motor carries a three-year warranty.
The Recon motors integrate sonar technology and are available with a sonar nose-cone option. The new models are available in 54-, 60-, and 72-inch shaft lengths, and start at $3,499. To learn more, visit lowrance.com or simrad-yachting.com.
