Why Do Most Pro Fisherman Use Cable Driven Trolling Motors Over Electric?

[tcbass]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are 2 types of trolling motors, cable driven and electric. The benefits of cable are more durable and quicker response and the benefits of the electric are a lower profile foot pedal and more ability to move the foot pedal around the boat? I know that many bass boats have a cut out for the high profile cable driven foot pedals. I actually don't like that since I like to move the foot pedal of my Minn Kota Terrova on whichever side of the boat I'm fishing from. But if I did have a cable driven I would want a cut out for the foot pedal I think the pedal is hard to use because it is so high. The Minn Kota Terrova is awesome. I love how you can use it to anchor and follow a route or autopilot. I'm sure the anchor feature isn't as necessary for pros because they have anchors like Power Poles.

 

 

So, why do most pro fisherman still use cable driven trolling motors over electric?

[MikeinFresno]

Ive been told its due to the quicker turns...but it may also be what they are given from sponsers too

[Wayne P.]

They (pro bass fishermen) like to operate their motor by feel so they can concentrate on fishing instead of looking at the motor to see what directlon it is pointed.

Same here.

 

Open water fishermen (pro walleye) like to use the electric steer types.

[tcbass]

They (pro bass fishermen) like to operate their motor by feel so they can concentrate on fishing instead of looking at the motor to see what directlon it is pointed.

Same here.

Open water fishermen (pro walleye) like to use the electric steer types.

Can't you do that with electric style electric trolling motors?

[Wayne P.]

Can't you that with electric electric trolling motors?

 

Can you?

[tbone1993]

My friend has the electronic steering and I feel like it doesnt have as much control as the cable steer. I feel like I can turn a cable steer much faster. Also less to go wrong with a mechanical steering system than an electronic one. 

[wordfactories]

My friend has the electronic steering and I feel like it doesnt have as much control as the cable steer. I feel like I can turn a cable steer much faster. Also less to go wrong with a mechanical steering system than an electronic one.

Videos of that new Motorguide xi5 show that thing turning way faster than the Minn Kota electric steer models I've used. Probably still not as fast as a cable steer, but impressive either way.

[tcbass]

Why don't electrics steer as fast as cables?

[Long Mike]

For those who have been using cable steer for years, the foot pedal is almost an extension of their bodies.  Without looking, they know exactly which way the motor is pointed.  When I got back into bass fishing after a twenty-year hiatus, I found that I simply could not adapt to unconscious use of the cable steer.  Every time I was distracted by having to re-tie or whatever, I found myself going in circles or running into the bank.  I finally gave up on the cable steer and bought the Terrova with the iPilot.  It's the best move I ever made. Now, if I have to retie, I can set the TM to run a specific course while I'm busy, or I can select the Spot-Lock mode, which essentially anchors me.  As for cable-steer responding faster? Probably, but that has never been an issue for me.  I can easily navigate my way through a forest of stick-ups.  Having a motor that turns faster would be only a marginal improvement under those circumstances.

[TorqueConverter]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are 2 types of trolling motors, cable driven and electric. The benefits of cable are more durable and quicker response and the benefits of the electric are a lower profile foot pedal and more ability to move the foot pedal around the boat? I know that many bass boats have a cut out for the high profile cable driven foot pedals. I actually don't like that since I like to move the foot pedal of my Minn Kota Terrova on whichever side of the boat I'm fishing from. But if I did have a cable driven I would want a cut out for the foot pedal I think the pedal is hard to use because it is so high. The Minn Kota Terrova is awesome. I love how you can use it to anchor and follow a route or autopilot. I'm sure the anchor feature isn't as necessary for pros because they have anchors like Power Poles.

 

 

So, why do most pro fisherman still use cable driven trolling motors over electric?

 

I'm thinking about going the Terrova route but I'm unsure how the foot petal feels in comparison to my current cable operated Evinrude badged Minn Kota.  When I tested out the petal in the store, it felt really stiff and would always return to center when pressure was released.  I really like the idea of the GPS spot lock.  I fish is strong winds on a regular basis and anchoring is a nightmare.  Power poles are nice but are useless outside of anchoring in shallow water.    

[slonezp]

I'm thinking about going the Terrova route but I'm unsure how the foot petal feels in comparison to my current cable operated Evinrude badged Minn Kota.  When I tested out the petal in the store, it felt really stiff and would always return to center when pressure was released.  I really like the idea of the GPS spot lock.  I fish is strong winds on a regular basis and anchoring is a nightmare.  Power poles are nice but are useless outside of anchoring in shallow water.    

I have a Terrova and a shallow water anchor. Both have their uses. If you think spot lock is the end all be all, you will be disappointed BUT the cruise control IS the end all be all. Spot lock has it's purpose for open water anchoring in light to no wind. The cruise control can keep you on spot in medium to heavy winds. It gives you the ability to set a direction and speed and will hold you at that as long as you're pointed into the wind.

[tcbass]

I'm thinking about going the Terrova route but I'm unsure how the foot petal feels in comparison to my current cable operated Evinrude badged Minn Kota.  When I tested out the petal in the store, it felt really stiff and would always return to center when pressure was released.  I really like the idea of the GPS spot lock.  I fish is strong winds on a regular basis and anchoring is a nightmare.  Power poles are nice but are useless outside of anchoring in shallow water.    

 

 

I love my Terrova, best fishing thing I've ever bought besides my boat. What's nice about the anchor too is when you catch a fish or are tying a lure on, just hit anchor and you stay in place (relatively).

 

 

The Terrova will really change your life, it's awesome. I'd get one if I were you. You won't be disappointed.

[Long Mike]

slonezp, I agrree that the Spot-Lock is not perfect.  As with all GPS devices, it needs open sky to do its job, but I've not had a serious problem with it maintaining position in both wind and current, but the TM is working its butt off trying to keep me "anchored" when the wind is up.  Best I can tell, under those conditions, it keeps me within a 20' radius.  I suppose it all depends on the ratio between TM thrust and boat weight, vs a given set of wind/current conditions.  Wow!  Try to do the math on that one!

[tcbass]

slonezp, I agrree that the Spot-Lock is not perfect.  As with all GPS devices, it needs open sky to do its job, but I've not had a serious problem with it maintaining position in both wind and current, but the TM is working its butt off trying to keep me "anchored" when the wind is up.  Best I can tell, under those conditions, it keeps me within a 20' radius.  I suppose it all depends on the ratio between TM thrust and boat weight, vs a given set of wind/current conditions.  Wow!  Try to do the math on that one!

 

 

I believe that GPS coordinates can only be within 5-10 meters of accuracy anyway. So that's why I think you move around a bit on spot-lock also.

[slonezp]

slonezp, I agrree that the Spot-Lock is not perfect.  As with all GPS devices, it needs open sky to do its job, but I've not had a serious problem with it maintaining position in both wind and current, but the TM is working its butt off trying to keep me "anchored" when the wind is up.  Best I can tell, under those conditions, it keeps me within a 20' radius.  I suppose it all depends on the ratio between TM thrust and boat weight, vs a given set of wind/current conditions.  Wow!  Try to do the math on that one!

Try using the cruise control in heavier winds. there is a lot less "correction" happening. Again, this all depends on how I'm fishing. If I'm fan casting a point, spot lock is just fine. If I'm fishing vertically above a brush pile, unless it's dead calm, I would rather use cruise control to hold my position.

[Koofy Smacker]

I believe that GPS coordinates can only be within 5-10 meters of accuracy anyway. So that's why I think you move around a bit on spot-lock also.

GPS coordinates can get you down to a foot or two. That being said, it needs several more than 3 satellites to do so

[tomustang]

I'm thinking about going the Terrova route but I'm unsure how the foot petal feels in comparison to my current cable operated Evinrude badged Minn Kota.  When I tested out the petal in the store, it felt really stiff and would always return to center when pressure was released.  I really like the idea of the GPS spot lock.  I fish is strong winds on a regular basis and anchoring is a nightmare.  Power poles are nice but are useless outside of anchoring in shallow water.

Don't use the foot pedal. Mine stays in the locker and I use the ipilot remote.

[cadman]

I have a Terrova, and it's like everything else. I never liked the cable steer, however they do respond faster. I also was never a big fan of the high pedals on the cable steer. But that is not an issue if you have them recessed.  On my old boat, I had a Minn Kota power drive, and yes the turn time was slow. I love my Terrova, for what I use it and I wouldn't get a cable steer. Just my personal opinion. Depends on what you like and what you are used to.

[WIGuide]

Pro's use cable driven trolling motors because it gives them total control over what they're doing. There is no turning lag and adjustments are instantaneous. They don't need to look down and see what they are doing, they just move their foot and it's done. It doesn't distract them from fishing in the least and they can devote their full focus to the fishing. Another perk of the cable driven motors, is they stow and deploy quicker and easier than most electric steer motors. Lastly, cable steer tm's provide easier maneuverability in very shallow water and very weedy water. You can temporarily lift them part of the way up to get over obstacles, or very shallow water and then set it back down and all of this can be done with one hand. Also, in grass, if the tm gets too clogged with grass you can lift the head out of the water and usually spin most of it off. Lastly, there are less things to go wrong with a cable steer. They are simple enough that if something does go wrong with the steering on the water, it can usually be fixed within a few minutes on the water.

 

Some of the more recent electric steer motors like the Terrova are getting closer to closing that gap between the two, as well as offering new abilities we could only dream of in the past. However, I think it will be a long while before we see the pro's using electric steers.  

[Gotfishyfingers?]

I've always understood it was a noise issue. Cables don't make as much noise when turning like electric does. Problem with the cable version is they brake all the time.

[MikeinFresno]

never thot of the not having to look down to see where it is pointed as a benefit of a cable steer. It is obvious once pointed out to you..duh

[Dwight Hottle]

I use a terrova auto pilot with a remote control  from the back of the boat. I have never used the foot control. For open water fishing it works great.

[Brian Needham]

more and more with the move offshore in today's fishing I too am surprised we dont see more terrovas out there.... especially with the known offshore guys.

 

I simply couldnt fish without my terrova, retying, culling, holding the boat on a point, sweet spot, ect.

[K_Mac]

I am not a pro, but the times I have fished from an electric steer boat have only reinforced my decision to buy a cable steer unit. I would agree that there are times when fishing off shore a Terrova might be handy, but the negatives outweigh the advantages IMO. Give me a Fortrex every time.

[Crookedneck]

I've fished both. There is a time and place for both. Open water Terrova all the way. But rivers, shallow water, slop cable steer every time.

Fishing in current around rocks & obstacles only way to go is cable. That remote is a disaster waiting to happen in my experience.