They make it look so easy

[billmac]

I have new respect for the guys I see standing in the front of the boat, working the trolling motor, and fishing continuously.   I just got my first boat in the Spring, and it's much harder than it looks.  Keeping the momentary button pushed down and steering without leaning on a seat is really tricky.  I keep steering in the wrong direction.  It's going to take a while before I can leave the pedestal seat at home.  I want to add a fishfinder to the bow and that will add another variable.  It should be fun.

[senile1]

I continue to use my pedestal seat most of the time even after years of running a trolling motor, but not for the reason the OP states.  I have a 2000 Stratos 295 Pro Elite with a 91 inch beam.  (Displayed in my profile pic.)  The gunnels of Stratos boats angle in sharply at the bow creating a much narrower area to stand than 91 inches in the front.  The lake I fish most has a lot of traffic and consistent waves due to that traffic.  The pedestal seat provides an additional point to brace myself so I don't fall out of the boat.  So I have one foot on the trolling motor pedal, one braced against a gunnel, and my butt braced against the pedestal seat when a large wake comes crashing in.  And @billmac, you are correct.  It isn't easy sometimes especially when the waves are really bad.  On busy days at Smithville Lake outside of Kansas City the trolling motor blades leave the water on occasion due to the height of the waves.

[Goldstar225]

I won't do it without my pedestal seat.  Besides having the 3rd point of contact for comfort, I fish stumpy areas a lot in muddy/heavily stained waters.  Without it I would be frequently performing man overboard drills.

 

Give it time and you'll be steering without even thinking about it.

[OCdockskipper]

I prefer not to have the pedestal seat, but my lake is smaller, calm with no underwater obstructions or waves from other boats to throw me overboard.  Without the pedestal seat in the middle, I can move around more freely.

 

If it is a very windy day, I'll use the pedestal seat for balance.

[BigAngus752]

I used the seat at first too but now the front seat stays home.  Working the TM has become almost second nature and not having the seat there makes it so much easier to move around.  I do keep the one on the back so I can move it up if I'm out for more than 6-7 hours and my back starts hurting. I fish man-made reservoirs almost exclusively and very clear water for me is a foot and a half visibility.  If I don't hit one or two trees per hour of fishing then I'm doing something wrong.  I will admit, though, that this has caused me to do the gunwale dance on numerous occasions.  I've been really, really close to going in headfirst.  The closest was when I was on the front deck while my wife was taking us in to the dock...

[lo n slo]

toe = right

heel = left

.....and having one of these helps

 

[Big Rick]

3 hours ago, lo n slo said:

toe = right

heel = left

.....and having one of these helps

 

THIS!!  Press down and you're headed right. Lift up and you're headed left... A few trips and you'll not even think about it. Muscle memory is amazing. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Keep doing it. It'll be second nature in no time!

 

When I am on the front I almost always have my foot on the pedal.

[Shimano_1]

As stated, it wont take long and it'll just be memory.  I rarely use my pedestals unless I'm on bigger water. Ky lake for example,  I've been on the ledges at times when I dont think you could stay in the boat without something to lean on and hang onto.

[billmac]

When I bought the boat (16ft) the guy who sold it to me said he needed something bigger.  I wondered at that because it was the biggest boat I've ever owned.  But man, once you get two people in, with tackle, and life jackets, and maybe some food, and it's pretty crowded.  The trolling motor cable sometimes trips the trim/tilt motor.  I have to get a system figured out.

[Oregon Native]

Used to have a MK 109 on front and have put people in the drink when I turned to fast as it was a burst of power.  Now with the 80 spot lock it gradually picks up speed so not so bad in quick turns....time will have you being an expert up front.

[(='_'=)]

Do you have a recessed tray for the pedal??

 

If not, I would strongly suggest you get one. Not only will it help you maneuver the TM easier, but it will also give you more stability and balance, and will reduce your back pain. I was hesitant at first, but once i tried it, i wish i had done it sooner. It is not easy cutting in your new boat, but it is well worth it. 

[boostr]

I always have the pedestal seat because all the lakes I fish on are either rough cause of the wake rats an lake roaches, or calm when I get into creeks or coves. So i'm always either leaning and trolling or standing and trolling on the same lake. And as everbody else has mentioned, a recessed trolling motor tray is a plus. 

[billmac]

How difficult is it to add a recessed tray to an older bass boat?

[Yakalong]

The more you do it the easier it will become 2nd nature.

[(='_'=)]

3 hours ago, billmac said:

How difficult is it to add a recessed tray to an older bass boat?

 

not much, if you are not afraid of cutting into it... i added one to my 94 Javelin in a morning.... i used a jigsaw to cut into the deck... measure 3 times, cut only once...

[Bluebasser86]

My buddy use to get frustrated because he felt I was catching all the fish since I was getting first shot at them. He mentioned it one day while I was catching them pretty good while fighting a stiff wind. I offered to let him run it for awhile, and he happily accepted. I moved to the back and really started wearing them out since I could focus on just fishing while he did nothing but fight the trolling motor and wind. After 30 minutes he was ready to switch back. 20+ years of doing it, I run the trolling motor without even realizing I'm doing it.

[OnthePotomac]

Before cutting into the deck, take a few minutes and pull a deck panel to ensure you will not be cutting into a structure beam/truss..  I cannot install one in my 17'6" aluminum for that very reason and glad I checked before breaking out the saw. 

[gim]

On 8/7/2019 at 11:57 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

My buddy use to get frustrated because he felt I was catching all the fish since I was getting first shot at them. He mentioned it one day while I was catching them pretty good while fighting a stiff wind. I offered to let him run it for awhile, and he happily accepted. I moved to the back and really started wearing them out since I could focus on just fishing while he did nothing but fight the trolling motor and wind. After 30 minutes he was ready to switch back. 20+ years of doing it, I run the trolling motor without even realizing I'm doing it.

Some of my friends think this is true too but whenever I offer them the bow mount they decline.