I often get asked if I think lithium batteries are worth the investment.
There is no doubt in my mind they are. This is my fifth year with lithium, and I wouldn’t consider going back to lead acid batteries.
Yes, they are more expensive than AGM batteries, but when you weigh all of the benefits and the savings in the long run, they’re worth it.
For example: They can change your boat’s performance, regardless of whether you’re running a Phoenix Boat like me or an aluminum boat.
I previously carried five AGM batteries: three 12 volts for the 36-volt Ghost Trolling Motor and two 12s to run the outboard and my electronics.
I now run two 36-volt Millertech lithiums for my trolling motor and two 12 volts for electronics and outboard.
Due to the power and lightweight nature of lithium batteries, not only did I eliminate one battery, but I took 300 pounds out of the back of my boat.
I can get on plane without having to bury the throttle and my boat simply floats shallower. That’s huge for a guy like me that likes to get into inches of water.
Previously, when I wanted to take off in shallow water, the back of the boat would hang on the bottom in some lakes. With 300 pounds less, it doesn’t.
My Phoenix is the best-riding boat I’ve ever driven, and it’s even better with the diminished transom weight. When jumping big waves in rough water, the boat doesn’t hit as hard when it lands off a wake. That means your hull and the gear in it takes less of a beating.
And here’s a big bonus to consider – fuel economy. The outboard doesn’t have to work as hard with less weight.
I also believe your electronics will run better on lithium because there is no loss of power throughout the day. The screens will be cleaner and likely show better details.
My Millertechs come with a 10-year warranty, something you don’t get from AGMs. Honestly, if you keep a boat for a long time, you may not have to buy another set of batteries. And if you change boats often, they’re easier to switch because they are so light.
Another positive about lithium is they charge quicker. Millertech provides an app for your phone that enables you to check the battery level while fishing or charging. Even on a hard day of running my trolling motor at top speed while looking for bass, I’ve never drawn it down below 50%.
I get new ones regularly from my sponsor, but I used my old batteries for two years and gave them to my son for his 17-foot Bass Tracker.
I also can check the remaining life cycles – each battery is warranted through 500 life cycles – and the ones I handed down to him showed I’d only used 60 life cycles over the course of two years of fishing hard as a pro angler. He’s running one 24 volt and one 12 volt and still uses them today. In addition, he says his Ghost Trolling Motor on that aluminum rig runs 6 mph faster because of the reduction in weight.
Having said all of this, I strongly suggest you get a battery charger designed for lithiums and one recommended by the battery manufacturer.
You’ve probably heard that lithium doesn’t perform in cold weather. Well, I put that to test at the Elite tourney on Guntersville where there was ice on parts of the lake. The first morning of practice the air temperature was 18 degrees, and I had no issues.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hardcore tournament angler or a recreational fisherman with a basic boat, lithium batteries are worth the investment.
