A trolling motor assembly includes a trolling motor, a motor tube coupled to the trolling motor, an elongate tubular housing telescopically receiving the motor tube, a linear actuator for vertically raising and lowering the motor tube along its axis, a steering arm, and a coupling mechanism between the motor tube and the arm. The coupling mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position while remaining connected to the motor assembly. The coupling mechanism connects the steering arm to the motor tube in the first position, whereby the tube and the motor may be rotated by the arm. The coupling mechanism disconnects the arm from the motor tube in the second position, whereby the tube and the motor may be rotated independent of the arm.