Trolling motor ?

[bugman]

I'm using a tiller style trolling motor and want to switch to a foot pedal type. My question is what type of of foot pedal do you like wire or cable. I have been told that the new "wire" type have had problems with circuit boards not working. Any info on min kota or motor guide would be a big help. I'm looking for a 55# in the $500 range.

[Team_Dougherty]

It all depends on what kind of fishing you do. I find that the cable controlled motor respond much faster than the ones with an electric motor that rotates the unit.

I do a lot of fishing in high current areas with lot of rocks and shallow areas and prefer the quicker response of a cable controlled unit.

[Wayne P.]

For precise control a cable steer is better. For trolling, the electric steer may be better. It depends on how you fish and the species you target.

[CFFF 1.5]

I absolutely love my Minn Kota Powerdrive wireless trolling motor. I guess i'm one of the few on here that actually like them. The foot control is alot more comfortable to me than the cable steer foot controls.

[bugman]

Thanks for the replys. I fish for bass 90% of the time. Up here on Lake Erie I need to have control of the boat to stay on humps or over suspended fish when the wind and waves are pretty tough. I don't do much trolling but will work down a weedline or breakwall at a slow pace and fan cast. Not sure if autopilot would be good for that. I hear that autopilot is better for keeping on corse when trolling.

[BigBassGuy]

Thanks for the replys. I fish for bass 90% of the time. Up here on Lake Erie I need to have control of the boat to stay on humps or over suspended fish when the wind and waves are pretty tough. I don't do much trolling but will work down a weedline or breakwall at a slow pace and fan cast. Not sure if autopilot would be good for that. I hear that autopilot is better for keeping on corse when trolling.

For your type of fishing I WILL recommend the Auto Pilot. Lake Erie is the perfect place for it. Bucking those waves can be a pain with a cable driven TM since you need to have your foot on the pedal all the time.

[HPBB]

I would say cable all the way. I fish erie alot and my MK powerdrive was way to slow. Since I moved to a cable steer it is way better. Also its hard to secure a power drive in rough water. I had one of mine go from stow to running position while running 6 foot waves. ripped that motor right off the boat, and to the bottom of erie.

as for what brand. that is a personal choice. I ran MK for years and had to many problems with them. I run Motor guides now.however I run Tour series TMs that are out of your $500 price range. I do have a MK PD on my small boat and can't wait to get a new cable steer TM for it.  

One more thing if your looking for a new TM and you have the room for two batteries i would highly suggest looking at getting a 24 volt TM. If you don't want to go much past #55 than a #65-70 would be great. the 24volt Tm just runs so much better than a 12 volt. And fishing erie and dealing with that wind up there the more power you have the better. I run a 109# 36 volt on my boat and love it.

[Dc26217]

I just bought a 55# Minn Kota edge for my tracker pro team 175.  It was $499.00 from cabelas like two weeks ago.  I almost bought the powerdrive but then I read some things I didn't like about them plus I am used to the cable.  If you buy it make sure you get a 60 amp circuit breaker.  You won't know you need it until you go to install it.  I couldn't find one anywhere so I had to order it from cabelas after the fact and wait.  I am happy with the motor so far but only had it for two times out