Jonathan Mickler
Jonathan Mickler, an avid angler from Lake County, Florida, has been passionate about fishing since he was six years old. Growing up in South Georgia and later returning to Florida in 2011, Jonathan spent much of his childhood fishing small lakes in orange groves with his siblings. His love for the sport was inspired by his grandfather, who fished the Harris Chain daily, and his father, a commercial catfisherman on the same chain in the late 1970s. In 2022, Jonathan’s dedication to the craft earned him recognition when he won the prize for the largest bass during the MLF Toyota Series. We sat down with Jonathan to dive into why he made the switch to lithium batteries to power up his fishing gear.
Jonathan’s power system includes:
The 36-volt Lowrance Ghost trolling motor on Jonathan’s 2007 Legend Alpha series boat is powered by two RELiON RB36V40 batteries that are wired in parallel. Jonathan’s RELiON RB100-HP is used to start his Mercury 225 Optimax engine. He also uses a RELiON RB100 battery to power his Lowrance Elite 9 and his Lowrance HDS Live at the console. The RB100 also powers his Lowrance HDS Pro 12 with Lowrance Active Target 2, and his Lowrance HDS Pro 10 with 3-1 Active Imaging Ghost Nosecone transducer.
Why Jonathan switched to lithium:
“This year, I upgraded all of my electronics and trolling motor. For my electronics to perform at maximum levels, the lithium batteries were essential.”
Why Jonathan chose RELiON:
“I chose to reach out to RELiON because my Interstate battery dealer highly recommended them. At the time, Interstate didn’t offer lithium batteries, and my dealer carried RELiON lithium batteries for customers seeking that option. After doing extensive research, I was impressed by RELiON’s deep experience in the angling industry, the longevity of their brand, and the proven reliability of their products.”
How has your lithium system allowed you to challenge your limits?
“This is my first experience with lithium batteries, and they have been a complete game changer. Previously, I was running a 24-volt trolling motor because I only had room for two batteries, which limited my setup. With the new 36-volt lithium batteries, I can double my battery capacity, giving me more time on the water. Upgrading to a 36-volt trolling motor also improves my boat control in rough conditions. Additionally, switching to lithium has allowed me to dedicate a battery solely for my electronics, eliminating any concern about draining my starting battery.”
Jonathan’s advice for people considering switching to lithium batteries:
“With so many companies now offering lithium batteries, it’s crucial to choose a reliable, well-established brand. Otherwise, you risk ending up with a product that doesn’t perform or last as expected. I’ve seen this happen to others far too often—don’t let it happen to you.”
Jonathan’s favorite part about fishing:
“I love everything about fishing - the time on the water, the peacefulness of being in nature, the rush of adrenaline when you get that first bite of the day.”
What advice do you have for up and coming anglers?
"With all the new technology available today—like live sonar, forward-facing sonar, and more—it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for the next big catch. While this technology is incredible, it’s important not to lose sight of the roots of fishing and the value of connecting with nature. I grew up in a time without the internet or even fish finders. We learned our lakes by fishing them, and discovering structures on the lake bottom when we got snagged in the same spot. In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, take time to unplug and truly understand the essence of fishing. Combining that hands-on knowledge with modern tools will make you a much better angler."