45” or 52” Ultrex?

[Rangerman522]

My son is getting ready to order a Ranger Z519 and was wondering whether to get the 45” or 52” Ultrex. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

[206champion]

Probably depends on what boat my Champion 206 sets nose high in the water so 52 for me

[happykamper]

I have a Triton TRX 21 and the 45 inch is perfect for me, I think it would be good for the Ranger as well because they sit flat in the water, I don't want the trolling motor head hanging over the gunnell of my boat, the 52 was just too big for my likings, I just ordered a new Bullet and it has the 45 inch as well, I guess if you fish the great lakes you may need the 52.

[ifishinxs]

Wake boats and wind waves required a 52 inch for me. I’d rather have longer and not need it than short when you really need the length.

[jc2bg]

Have a 2018 Z519, and 45 inch is perfect. I live near Erie and fish there 50% of the time. Even in the harbors there can be strong wave action and big wakes. 45 inch stays in the water no problem up to 2-footers, and above that I don’t really care to be standing on the bow. But when casting to low targets under docks or overhanging trees, I don’t want the trolling motor sticking up 3 feet above the bow. Rangers sit quite level in the water, so an extra-long trolling motor is only necessary, imo, if you intend to stay on the trolling motor in the roughest conditions you could encounter and don’t fish a lot of shallow stuff.

[krindgen]

45in

[Locknload59]

Z520 and have the 45". I do not fish big water in rough conditions so I have not had any issues.

[DougL58]

Wake boats and wind waves required a 52 inch for me. I’d rather have longer and not need it than short when you really need the length.

This ^^^^

[Jonestrollingmotor]

I would suggest the 45", mainly because of the shorter mount. When you take the measurement of usable shaft, there is 4" difference in the two. A 45 is 48" long and has a 3" collar that gives you 45". A 52" is true 52, take the 3" collar away and it's 49", gives a 4" difference.
John

[SoonerFan]

I have a 52" and wish it were 45". I seldom fish in extreme conditions, beat the banks mostly so I would rather not have to deal with the extra length. It just seems heavy and cumbersome compared to my old 42"(?) 80# Maxxum.
The only reason I bought the 52 was because at that time the 45's were backordered far into the future and the one 52" became available and I wanted it before spring.

[billproxs]

had the 52 and sold it for the 45 ultrex. i'm on ledges on ky lake to. if it gets that rough out there I go home

[Bassmeister]

I'll defer to John....but I have an ulterra with a 60" shaft.....thought I would have to get it cut down, but I don't have a problem with it being in the way even shallow.....sure is nice to let her all the way down when the cruisers are out.....

[squib]

I have the 52 and wouldn't want it any shorter. One of the advantages of the Ultrex is that it allows you to fish out in rougher water. I don't want to get out there and have my prop clearing the water.

[354ranger]

Your cover will fit better with the 45. I have a 52 on a 519 and wish it was 45 when I'm fishing shallow, and have never needed the length ledge fishing.

[cody B.]

I have a neighbor who guides and he went thru 3 different 52 inch having water seeping into the head now he runs a 45 with no problems . I have a 45 with no issues on my 198 champ. I have another friend with the same champ and a 52 and he breaks rods on it all the time. So there’s that

[Boondock]

I have a neighbor who guides and he went thru 3 different 52 inch having water seeping into the head now he runs a 45 with no problems . I have a 45 with no issues on my 198 champ. I have another friend with the same champ and a 52 and he breaks rods on it all the time. So there’s that

Sounds odd, most multi species boats run 60” and most walleye boats. The bigger glass boat run 72”

[Meleagris1]

Weight of the front angler and amount of tackle make a big difference in how high or low the bow sits in the water. I fish big water and when I used 45's would always have days where I couldn't keep my TM in the water. Now with the 52" I don't have that problem. Also with the Ultrex hitting spot lock and fishing from the back I have to bury my 52" and its barely enough in any chop.

[ksubasser24]

45 on my 119c. No issues at all. The way jc put it is spot on.

[ifishinxs]

Weight of the front angler and amount of tackle make a big difference in how high or low the bow sits in the water. I fish big water and when I used 45's would always have days where I couldn't keep my TM in the water. Now with the 52" I don't have that problem. Also with the Ultrex hitting spot lock and fishing from the back I have to bury my 52" and its barely enough in any chop.

My 45 would blow out with wind waves and Wake boat wakes. The 52 eliminated the blow out! When I fish shallow I just slide the shaft up. Best of both worlds!

[itsahog]

I have the 52 inch. In my boat, a 45 would work fine, but the 52 inch allows me to take the motor with me if I decide to go to a bigger boat, and my rod locker still opens up so it’s no problem at all. I see no reason why I would only have a 45 inch. If I was buying again, I would definitely get the 52 inch. No downside whatsoever, and it gives me many more options going forward.