Trolling Motor Foot Pedal- Do You Mount to Deck?

[PaBassMan13]

Just wondering if folks mount their trolling motor foot pedals to the deck. I do not have a recessed pedal nor do I have plans to buy a tray for it. But is it better to screw it down to the deck or do you guys just leave it loose on the deck. I can see pros and cons to either so I would like to know your experiences either way. I like that I can move it around right now but is it better to always have it in one place? 

[Team9nine]

Personal preference, but I always bolted (not screwed) mine down. Last thing I want is a foot pedal bouncing and banging around running rough seas, plus it made things easy because it's always in the same spot when you go to step on it, or need to avoid it.

[shovelmouth83]

i had recently screwed my foot peddle down. i was having issues with kicking it around and once i kicked it straight off the boat. 

it has helped me a lot. 

[RoLo]

 

I suppose it depends on what you prefer, both will work.

On the Triton I'm now running, the pedal is mounted in a recess, and that works out real nice.

In an aluminum Tracker I once owned, I left the treadle unbolted on a flat deck, and that wasn't too bad either.

T9 makes a good point about the pedal bouncing in heavy seas, but in the main the cable dampens the movement

What I did like about a free pedal was the ability to kick it into the most comfortable spot to suit body contortions.

 

Roger

[RUSS9999]

On my Bass Tracker it bounced all over the place so I screwed it to the deck. That was for a day, hated it so took the screws out and let it bounce.  The Lowe I have now rides good, I have never seen it bounce in ruff water. If it does it is so little that I have not seen it.

[Ski213]

You might be able to fasten a Velcro strap to the deck to hold the pedal when running in rougher water. If you find that you like moving it you stick with that setup, if you don't you can remove the strap and bolt the pedal permanently. 

[Goldstar225]

I screwed my pedal down.  Works for me. Next boat will have a recessed pedal.

[PaBassMan13]

I did end up sinking just one screw to hold the pedal down. It seems to work pretty well but I'll give it a few more trips to make sure I like it before I sink another one or two screws in.

[WIGuide]

Personally, I prefer mine screwed down. I'm not a fair weather fisherman though as there aren't many conditions that will keep me off the water, so I'm sure that plays a part in it. I got sick of watching it bounce around and having to move it when I'd get back up on the deck. I've been toying with the idea of adding in a recessed tray as well. 

[sully420]

I leave it free and remove it between trips have never seen it move. If i had a recessed spot for it i would secure it there

[tracker01]

Two screws does it for me. Before you add the second screw make sure it is in a comfortable spot.

[scaleface]

I leave it free . So i can position it if I'm fishing off the right , side , left side or seated .

[webertime]

One cool thingI have seen is mounting it to a ceiling fan blade, then drilling a hole the diameter of your seatpost on the narrow end.  Slide the post through the hole and it allows the pedal to be attached, yet able to be repositioned to a certain extent.

[WRB]

Secure anything you don't want leaving the boat at speeds over 50 mph, including the trolling motor foot pedal. Can't believe anyone would have a foot pedal banging or sliding around on the front deck of a boat.

Tom

[XpressJeff]

 It only takes two screws to stop having to chase it around the deck. Next boat will have a recessed pedal. Unfortunately I can't do that on this Xpress model.

[S Davis]

The TH Marine Pedal Paddle can solve this problem easily. The video shows assembly, installation, and use - only takes ONE minute!

[RHuff]

I never had mine bolted but I installed a recessed tray and bolted the petal into the tray. 

[Goldstar225]

My previous boat didn't have a recessed tray.  I screwed my pedal down.

[Jig Man]

I'm with WRB on this one.  I never have had one that I did not screw down in the middle of the deck so I could use it with either foot.

[BigTerp]

On 5/31/2017 at 10:17 AM, scaleface said:

I leave it free . So i can position it if I'm fishing off the right , side , left side or seated .

This 

[gim]

The type of pedal and type of boat would play a role in this.  If it is an electric steer motor, it likely has a long cord and a smaller pedal that could easily be moved around more.  If its a cable steer, then the cord is thick and not very long and its designed to stay in one spot (near the motor).  Also, whether its a bass boat or not might make a difference.  Usually, bass boats have an area where the pedal can into a recessed area of the deck (at least modern bass boats do).

[tcbass]

I don't because I like moving the pedal to the left or right side of the deck depending what side I am fishing. 

 

I use the rod holder tiedown to strap the pedal down in rough waters or when towing the boat on the trailer.

[tander]

I screw mine down with one screw in the back, just works better for me.

[jaimeastin]

Funny, I just screwed mind down.  I put it I the center.  I have no issues reaching it with either foot.

 

I was just really tired of it moving around.  I bought a weighted plate, but never used it.  I thought I would recess it, and still might. I really like the idea of pedle paddle.