is foot control that important?

[56 crestliner]

I'm buying a Trolling motor for my boat and posted earlier as to what size, (it is a 15 ft crestliner v bottom aluminum boat with a 40 hp johnson) and i was told 40-50 pounds. Minnkota sells a 55# bow hand controll for the same price as their 45# foot controll bow mounts. So the question is wether foot controll is that much better. ive never used either so im asking the boards wether the convenience of a foot control is that much better than a hand controll.

Thanks

[Live.2.Fish]

I switched to a foot controled last year and would never go back to a hand controlled TM.  Foot controlled TM allows you to use the trolling motor while still allowing you to fish.  

Buy the foot controlled TM!

[Jig Man]

I had a hand control for a while and learned to really hate that beast.  I think I would go back to golf before I had another hand controlled one.  I fished this last winter with a guy who had a hand controlled, he spent as much time diddling around with it as he did fishing.  I am not very opionated either.

[cart7t]

Years ago all the pro's said you were crazy if you weren't using a hand controled trolling motor.  They had the extension handles, seperate on/off switch.  At the time, foot controls were notorious for cables breaking along with mounts.   So I bought a hand controlled.

I'll never own another. It sucked.

[bassmaster8100]

Foot control = hands  free to fish

[FisinCrazee]

If you want to fish half a day and run the trolling motor the other half, then you buy the hand controlled TM.  With any wind, you won't fish any hardly, mostly run the T/M.

If you want to FISH ALL DAY, then you buy the foot controlled one.  (Your foot will then run the TM all day.)  

I have foot controlls on two bass boats.  I also have a 12 foot alum pram that I mount a hand control on the side of near where I sit.  I do fish some with this but it absolutely drives me nuts if there is any wind; talk about heart burn.  lol

Bob

[Catt]

It is a matter of personal preference, I use hand controlled only and have no problem keeping my hands free to fish. There is an adjustment knob that tightens the shaft so it doesn't more with out applying enough force. Adjust this, point the motor in the direction you want to go and step on the big foot switch on the deck. To me with a foot control you are always off balance because you have one foot in the air and you have to be in a certain position in order to use it.

Some times I sit some times I wonder around the deck  

[RecMar8541]

Severl years ago I bought a Minn Kota, power drive model with auto pilot.  I thought it could never get any better.....until....the Minn Kota Co-Pilot.  That little remote and no pedal on the deck is the ONLY way to go IMO.  I would never go back to any form of pedal, and after having fished a hand control for years would rather drop a bowlingball on my tongue than go back!!  Emphatic...hell yeah....co-pilot is that GOOD!!

[LONGEARS]

I'm backing Catt on this one.I had foot control for years as I got older I got more and more tired of standing on one foot.Then arthritis struck (Knees And Ankles) next came a hand control bow mount.I have no problem keeping my hands fishing and I have extended my time on the water due to increased comfort.Not to mention less clutter on the Skeeters deck.

I can also remember my 1st time with foot control so lets just say there is no learning curve with hand control

[Papa_Tom]

Another thing to consider might be the type water you fish.  If you are usually in open water going down an edge, not weaving in and out, then as has been stated, a hand-control properly adjusted and a BigFoot might be a good choice. If you are fishing timber and stump fields where you are zigging in and out then a foot control sounds better.  I have foot control at present but recurring back issues are dictating that something must change.  Even the recessed tray isn't a cure for me. I'll be looking at both handcontrol and/or some sort of remote.  

[Cephkiller]

You know one can sit while operating the pedal.  I have no physical issues (except I'm too fat) and I probably do this 1/3 of the time depending on the presentation I'm using.

[Paul8877]

Can you buy a kit for a hand controlled TM to make it a foot controlled TM?

[Pa Angler]

Well I will have to add another option I don't use foot control or hand tiller control I use remote control called Co-Pilot works for me. Have a Minn Kota 24V Power Drive with the Auto-Pilot feature as well I have had no trouble as some have stated in this forum with this unit and yes be sure you get a variable speed motor which ever one you get.

[linesider7]

I used to be die hard hand control.

Then I bought a boat with a foot control.  At first, I hated it.  Didn't know what the hell I was doing...  Stuck it out for a few outings...  I WILL NEVER GO BACK.

I think the akwardness might scare some people off at first as it did me.  Nobody steps on that pedal and does it right the first time...  If you're on the fence, bite the bullet and try it, you'll be happy you did.

[Redlinerobert]

Foot control is the only way to go in my opinion.  You can concentrate on fishing instead of where your hand needs to be.

[56 crestliner]

I think i am going to go with a foot controll. i was looking at the motorguide pro sereis but i think im going to go with a minn kota edge because it seems there is a lot of problems with MG mounting system.