Motors are just about required for any serious angler who fishes from a kayak these days. The speed at which kayak anglers can get from point A to point B with a motor has significantly reduced travel time on the water while, thankfully, a kayak angler’s range has exponentially increased. And tournament kayak anglers are left in the dust without a battery-powered motor propelling them.
There are basically four ways to propel your kayak: paddle, pedal, use a sail, or install an electric motor. Most kayaks have the ability to use all four methods to travel on the water, but anglers generally don’t incorporate a sail into their fishing platforms. For this guide, we’ll focus on the best fishing kayak motors available in 2026.
For kayak motors, 2025 was a year for the record books. Several companies entered the modular small craft propulsion market in 2025, which means plenty of options for anglers in 2026. Minn Kota already sold small motors with select boats, and now has a one-size-fits-most. Power-Pole downsized its MOVE ZR for kayak and skiff anglers with another option. Garmin modified the popular Force trolling motor to create a bow-mount Force Current. Old Town now offers an ePDL+ RetroFit for any of its kayaks that were pedal-powered in the past. And there’s also a jet motor available now, concealed inside the hull of the FluxJet Kayak.
Our Picks For Best Kayak Motors
- Best Bow Mount Trolling Motor – Minn Kota Kayak Terrova
- Best Stern Mount Kayak Motor – Garmin Force Current
- Best Crossover Kayak Motor – Power-Pole MOVE PV
- Best Conversion Kayak Motor – Old Town ePDL+ RetroFit
- Best Innovative Kayak Motor – FluxJet Jet Motor
- Best Purpose-Built Kayak Motor – Newport NK300
Why a Kayak Motor?
Some anglers will admit that today’s kayaks can be outfitted nearly as well as bass boats—no giant outboards or livewells, but just about everything else. The low cost and turnkey operation of installing an electric motor on a kayak has made it more accessible for the weekend warrior. And kayak fishing’s inherent physical element has been greatly reduced with electric motors, making it more welcoming than ever for people with disabilities, as well as individuals of any fitness or skill level.
Joe Komyoti, an avid kayak angler out of Georgia, told us, “Over the last couple years I have seen my health decline. I swapped out the pedal drive for a bow mount motor. It was a must for me unfortunately. Honestly, looking back at the decision, I should have made that swap years earlier.”
With the advent of lighter and more efficient batteries, kayakers can stay on the water longer and even travel more miles during a trip. And kayak enthusiasts can carry plenty of power with modern lithium batteries that are much lighter than their lead-based counterparts. Just a few short years ago, kayak anglers talked about the best paddles or pedal drives to cover more water; now, most conversations are about how fast a motor can propel our kayaks.
Nebraska kayak angler Tyler Alexander only uses his motor to move spots as quickly as he can. “Time is money when fishing bigger waters in tournaments, and the motor helps me cover more water,” he said.
There are even some anglers who have installed not only a stern mount motor but also one on or near the bow with a spot-lock system. (Most tournaments will not allow DP, or dual power, motors on the kayak primarily due to the compromised safety of the extra weight.)
Power options are no longer limited, and they’re a piece of cake for DIYers. If you feel comfortable rigging your own wiring, it’s a job easily completed in your garage in one afternoon. Plus, it’s a fishing platform that allows anglers of all stripes to get on the water.
Below are some features, specs, and prices of various electric motors for kayaks in 2026.
Best Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Minn Kota Kayak Terrova
Though it’s already incorporated some of their motors into the Old Town AutoPilot lineup, Minn Kota burst onto the modular-motor scene this year with its new Kayak Terrova. This bow mount 12-volt trolling motor has 55 pounds of thrust and a 36-inch shaft, making it the perfect addition to the front of nearly any kayak.
Pooling a lot of the same tech you’re used in Minn Kota’s other motors, you can now have features like Spot-Lock on your kayak, too. All things considered, the price tag isn’t all that bad for the added capabilities this motor brings.
I ran the Old Town Auto Pilot 136 for about a year with basically this same motor built into it, and it was a complete game-changer for someone who had only paddled previously.
Features
- Part of the One-Boat Network
- Spot-Lock
- Digital Maximizer
- Weedless Wedge 2 Prop
- Indestructible Composite Shaft
- Micro Remote
- Ethernet Cable
- Safety Switch Kit
Specs
- For Use In Freshwater
- Shaft Length 36 in
- Max Thrust 55 lb
- Voltage 12
- Length 49 in
- Height 10 in
- Width 16.53 in
- Weight 40 lb, 8 oz
Best Stern Mount Kayak Motor
Garmin Force Current
The Garmin Force Current is a stern mounted motor, as opposed to a bow mounted one—and it has some pretty impressive capabilities. For starters, the motor can be controlled by either a remote or two wireless power-steer pedals that determine its direction and speed, functioning much like a zero-turn mower does. If you press both pedals forward, you go forward; press both backward to go backward. Similarly, you press only one to turn, or press one forward and one backward to spin in place like a top.
You can run this motor with either a 12-volt or a 24-volt battery; it recognizes whichever battery is hooked up and then provides either 30 or 50 pounds of thrust accordingly. The motor has anchor lock technology to keep you in place. And if you want to control the whole motor from your wrist, you can even pair it with a Garmin watch.
Available with foot pedals or a standard remote version.
Features
- Power steer foot pedals
- Garmin smart anchor lock technology with multi-band GPS
- Wireless chartplotter integration
- Control throttle and steering from the wrist with Garmin smartwatch
- Wireless man-overboard tag
Specs
- Mount style: four-hole tilt mount
- Max thrust: 50 lbs using high-efficiency propeller at 24V or 30 lbs using high efficiency propeller at 12V
- Voltage: 12V or 24V
- Electric steering
- Built-in heading sensor
- Built-in GPS (dual frequency GPS)
- Water rating: IPX7
- Shaft length (from mount to top of drive motor) 16.6″ (max.); 11.4″ (min.)
Best Crossover Kayak Motor
Power-Pole MOVE PV
The MOVE PV from Power-Pole is essentially a shrunken version of the MOVE ZR trolling motor. It’s designed with 24- and 36-volt compatibility, depending on the configuration of your batteries and, according to Power-Pole, it offers up to 30% more thrust and efficiency than other motors. The PV is rated for both fresh and salt water, and it’s raised and lowered using a step-and-stow system.
You can use the Power-Pole app to control the PV, or one of the two wireless remotes it comes with. There’s Anchor Mode, Vector Mode and Follow-A-Route Mode to hold your boat in position, keep it on a straight line, or have it follow a route, respectively.
There’s also the option of adding a Power-Pole RealFeel Foot Pedal.
Features
- Kayak-Specific Stow & Deploy System
- Quick installation—minimal tools needed and ready to fish in minutes
- Made for MOVE PV-36
Specs
- Kayak Kit Hardware
- Nav Head Anchor Point
- Kayak Kit Handle
- Stainless Steel Carabiners (x2)
- Pre-Crimped Dyneema Rope (x2)
- Power-Pole Rope Handle & Caps (x2)
Best Conversion Kayak Motor
Old Town ePDL+ RetroFit Motor
Available in early 2026
The Old Town ePDL+ RetroFit motor is an innovative electric pedal drive system specifically designed to upgrade various existing Old Town PDL (Pedal Drive) kayaks, transforming them into motorized vessels. This system distinguishes itself by being a simple, drop-in replacement for the standard PDL pedal drive, featuring a self-contained design with the safety switch and a compact 36V 6.5Ah lithium-ion battery built directly into the unit. There is no external wiring for the installation.
The RetroFit offers versatility via three distinct propulsion modes: traditional manual pedaling, Power-Assisted Pedaling (e-Assist) with five levels of boost, and a Full Motorized Cruise Control mode also with five speed settings, allowing for hands-free operation. Depending on the cruise level selected, the system can provide a runtime ranging from about one hour at top speed up to 13.5 hours at the lowest setting, all displayed clearly on a backlit LCD screen monitoring battery life and power settings.
This motorized unit is available in multiple sizes to ensure compatibility with many popular Old Town models like the Sportsman, Topwater, and BigWater PDL kayaks. The total weight of the drive system with the battery is about 37 pounds.
Features
- Plug-and-play Installation
- No tools, no hassles
- Pedal manually, engage five levels of pedal assist, or cruise with full electric
- Battery and charger included
- Includes a compact 36V 6.5Ah lithium-ion battery and charger.
- Clear, daylight-readable display
- Backlit LCD screen displaying battery life and power settings
Specs
- Available in three sizes to fit the Sportsman/Topwater PDL 106 & 120, BigWater/Predator PDL, and Malibu/Salty PDL
- Length is one foot, 7.08 in
- Width is 10.9 in
- Height is 37.4 in
- Weight is 37 lb, 9.6 oz
Most Innovative Kayak Motor
FluxJet Jet Motor
The belle of the ball at 2025 ICAST was the FluxJet kayak, winning Best of Show honors. And if you’re wondering why a kayak is mentioned in an article about motors, the FluxJet is the first kayak with a jet motor built inside the hull—no running cables or mounting motors on the back of this one. With variations up to 60 volts, this boat can go upward of six miles per hour.
There’s an intake grate specifically designed to keep vegetation and other debris out when fishing super shallow. And integrated navigation lights, deck lights, and a USB charging port all come standard. There’s even an LED screen that tells you how much battery you have left.
With the built-in motor, this is the most boat-like 11-foot kayak on the market; unfortunately, it’s already backordered well into the spring.
Features
- Weighs 88lbs
- 6+ MPH max speed
- 720 minutes of maximum run time
- 1000w power
Specs
- Dimensions: 132”L x 35”W x 12”H
- Weight capacity: up to 400 pounds
- Underseat utility slot for your choice of battery
- Transducer-ready
- Adjustable foot pegs for steering
- Front hatch and rear tank well storage
- Modular accessory rails
- Molded handles for easy carrying
- Deck and Nav lights included
- USB/USB-C charger built in
Best Purpose-Built Kayak Motor
Newport NK300
The Newport brand took the market by storm with reasonably priced models and different battery options. If you are looking for reliability and efficiency the Newport NK300 is a great option: It is specifically designed for kayaks and is lightweight, very quiet, and simple to use. It has 110 pounds of thrust and a max speed of 6.5 miles per hour.
A 36-volt lithium-ion battery is recommended. The NK300 is easy to install and includes all the hardware to set up. It is also designed for fresh- or saltwater use, but always remember to rinse with freshwater to prevent corrosion. The motor is backed with a two-year warranty.
Features
- Brushless technology
- Remote throttle
- Adjustable steering
- Maximum power
- Extended range
Specs
- Peak power: 1300W (3HP EQUIV)
- Max range: 66 miles
- Top speed: 6.5 MPH
- Max runtime: 30 hours
- Battery required (not included): 36V
All of this focus of major brands bringing small motors to market and the consumers buying them as fast they can points to one glaring fact: kayak and small boat fishing is growing increasingly more popular by the day. These boats are more versatile and more affordable to own and operate than traditional bass boats. And, now that there are lots of options to motorize them, they are more capable than ever.
Modifying Trolling Motors for Kayaks
For the DIY enthusiasts, there are also ways to modify a boat trolling motor for a kayak saving hundreds of dollars. One must also consider whether or not a motor is the right solution for your kayak. Some yakkers might be pushing the limits of weight capacity at some point, especially with larger batteries and accessories.
Types of Kayak Motors
There are basically two major types of motors that can be installed on a kayak. The first would be an outboard-style motor like the Garmin or Newport brands. These types are much faster and can get you to your favorite fishing spot in a matter of minutes, compared to the traditional trolling motor.
These trolling motors are very maneuverable and can also keep you in position to make accurate casts. They offer both a fair amount of speed but most importantly control. Old Town Kayaks has a unique ePDL+ drive so kayakers can switch among manual, power-assisted pedal, or fully motorized cruise. These motors offer the quiet kayak experience at speeds from about 3.5 to six miles per hour. The ePDL+ drive conversion kit is a game-changer for many anglers who own Old Town kayaks that did not come with the ePDL+ drive originally.
While many low-cost brands are basically a paddle-only kayak, the Hobie, Old Town, Bonafide, Wilderness Systems, Ascend, Native Watercraft, Crescent, NuCanoe, FeelFree, Vibe, and other brands can be easily modified to add an electric motor for added propulsion.
We do need to remember that adding a motor also means the responsibility of registering it and adding the required lighting systems as defined in state regulations for craft that are powered by motors. There are numerous accessories available that can easily be added to your plastic boat. You will also need to add the required decals with your assigned registration number. You should check with the state’s guidelines when registering your motorized craft.
Whatever your choice may be for getting to fishing spots faster and more efficiently, the electric motor can be a great asset to saving lots of time on the water to help you keep your line in the water.
Kayak Power Considerations
Thrust
Most electric kayak motors range from about 30 to 55 pounds of thrust that will easily move a kayak on the water. The most popular choice would be a 30-pound thrust electric motor for most average-sized kayaks. For larger and heavier kayaks, a more powerful 50- to 55-pound thrust motor might be necessary. If you are looking at longer distances and higher speeds, more battery power will be required as well.
Speed
If you are looking for speed with an electric motor, most will hit an average of three miles per hour; some will reach speeds up to seven miles per hour. Remember that the more speed you create, the faster the battery will drain: Studies have shown that reducing your speed just 20% will increase your range up to 80%. It is wise to not run at full speed, as you might end up stranded far from your launch with a dead battery.
