Trolling Motors...Foot vs Hand Control

geezer1 · 06-27-10, 02:08 PM

What is your preferred trolling motor setup, foot controlled or hand controlled, & why?

Embrey · 06-27-10, 02:39 PM

hand control sucks. cant fish while trolling,which is a constant thing for me

bamabassman · 06-27-10, 04:27 PM

foot.............nuff said.

WTL · 06-27-10, 05:57 PM

I lean towards foot, but its closer than it should be. Perhaps because my boat is smaller and more tippy, I can find it hard to stand on the pedal and steer as accurately as I would like. Still, you get more casts in a day with a foot control as opposed to hand.

bcklash · 06-27-10, 06:05 PM

They make a hand controlled tm. j/k Foot controlled all the way

BassinBandit · 06-27-10, 07:05 PM

Probably would depend on what you get used to. I love my foot control and would never use a hand control on my bass boat. I have though had to use one on my old jonboat and got used to it and it wasn't bad but foot control was better.

Rebbasser · 06-27-10, 07:45 PM

Depends on the boat. For a small boat like a jon boat a hand control is easier. For a bass rig with casting decks I prefer a foot control. Easier to control the boat IMO.

Abbeysdad · 06-27-10, 09:13 PM

I agree that it depends on the boat - a small Jon boat, perhaps rear hand control is best, bigger boat with a rear gas engine, perhaps front mount/foot control.

bassboogieman · 06-27-10, 09:31 PM

I've had both, prefer a foot control. The previous owner of my current boat had a 36v hand control on it. I tried to use it, and found it virtually impossible to use while fishing. It was fine for moving form spot to spot on electric only lakes in my area, but when fishing very hard to maintain course or position. I was used to a foot control and that may have been part of the problem. The hand control was a bit easier to use sitting vs. standing but I stand a lot of the time so a foot control better suits my style. I tried an extended handle also to bump with my leg, but that was not acceptable. Bought a foot contol a couple weeks later - much better application for my boat and style of fishing.

CamG · 06-28-10, 05:36 PM

Foot...I run a foot control on my big and small boat. Can't stand the hand control at all. You spend more time dinking with a hand control than it's worth.

walkeraviator · 06-29-10, 04:30 PM

Since my salt water experience, i have been looking into making my first boat double duty... it is liek pulling teeth to find a salt water trolling motor that is foot controlled. I can only guess that this is because most salt water trolling motor usage is constant on due to moving tides and not on/off for position control like in a bass boat??? I know foot control just makes more sense to me...

GregK9 · 06-29-10, 10:22 PM

Foot. I use my hands to cast and reel.

Captmikestarrett · 06-30-10, 08:31 AM

I went wireless two years ago and will never go back to foot.. I also prefer hand controll too with a Big Foot switch and extension handle. If you are on a budget and want the most lb thrust availble for the money go with the three items mentioned ..

There is friction sleeve on most hand controls that will not allow the motor to swing left and right very easy or with tension.. mount a Big Foot switch on the deck and set motor to a mid range and just step on the button now and then to adjust. The extension handle will allow you to kick the motor left or right with your knee / body or foot..

Saves some bucks and works very well.

But once you go wireless you will never go back..

Capt Mike

CamG · 06-30-10, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captmikestarrett

I went wireless two years ago and will never go back to foot.. I also prefer hand controll too with a Big Foot switch and extension handle. If you are on a budget and want the most lb thrust availble for the money go with the three items mentioned ..

There is friction sleeve on most hand controls that will not allow the motor to swing left and right very easy or with tension.. mount a Big Foot switch on the deck and set motor to a mid range and just step on the button now and then to adjust. The extension handle will allow you to kick the motor left or right with your knee / body or foot..

Saves some bucks and works very well.

But once you go wireless you will never go back..

Capt Mike

Man...you must have better luck than me. My wireless Motor Guide was the biggest pain in the neck I ever used. I'm pretty sure it was in the shop, more than on the water. So far (knock on wood) my Terrova has been very good to me.

dave · 06-30-10, 05:28 PM

I have been using a hand control for two years. I have it due to a small front deck. (huge space saver) It is working out great for me. Mike is right about the big Foot. It has a lever on it to keep it on constantly. Put it on low and just move slowly along. Kick it off when you want to stop. Or, just keep stepping on and off the button.

carolina-rig-01 · 07-01-10, 11:07 AM

Without hesitation I say foot control. Fishing in the wind with a hand control is next to impossible.

GregK9 · 07-01-10, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

Without hesitation I say foot control. Fishing in the wind with a hand control is next to impossible.

I hear ya. And it's almost ALWAYS windy when i fish!

I don't get the whole hand control thing at all.

I did it many years ago when I used to rent 14 foot aluminum boats and had a transom mounted troll motor ..... it was a total pain in the a$$. Like I said earlier, I'm using my hands to fish. Why would I want to keep using one of em to fiddle with a hand control when I could use a foot!??

WatterBoy · 07-01-10, 01:15 PM

Yup, foot control all the way. Would never even consider the hand control.

walkeraviator · 07-01-10, 01:18 PM

Is there a foot control salt water option?

CamG · 07-01-10, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkeraviator

Is there a foot control salt water option?

Yep

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...001000_225-1-4

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...001000_225-1-4

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...001000_225-1-4

The last link would be my choice as it is the same as the freshwater Terrova. Love my Terrova.

Dennis1022 · 07-18-10, 08:02 AM

I have always used hand control trolling motor until now! I had just purchased a Minn Kota 24 volt 70 pound Thrust Edge! I still have a transom mount Minn Kota 55 pound thrust also a 33 pound thrust transom mount!
But now I need t learn how to use a foot control, just get use to foot and not using my hands an allowing me to cast more and less steering!
So I'm hoping I'm going to keep my vote or my opinion to foot control!
Dennis

mgeod · 09-17-10, 09:02 PM

Have had both . Set up properly , I prefer a hand control. Wind or current is not a problem. One of the things I like about a hand control is the friction to keep it pointed where you want it to go. Big Foot switches and a Pro Kontrol handle is the set up I use.

Dave63 · 09-18-10, 06:10 AM

Next motor after this hand control craps, will be a foot control. No question!

andyfender · 09-18-10, 09:07 AM

What about wireless?

dave0943 · 09-18-10, 01:53 PM

I've had a few hand controls in my day. Mostly owned 14 footers, John and deep v. The boat I have now is a bass boat with casting platforms. I bought the Edge foot control and had a learning curve learning not to go in circles.The hand control units served the purpose, but I can't see ever going back. All the trolling motors I've had have been Minn Kota's.

06-27-10, 02:08 PM	#1
geezer1 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lakehills, Tx Posts: 185	Trolling Motors...Foot vs Hand Control What is your preferred trolling motor setup, foot controlled or hand controlled, & why?

06-27-10, 04:27 PM	#3
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	foot.............nuff said. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

06-27-10, 06:05 PM	#5
bcklash BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elliston, Va. Posts: 4,372	They make a hand controlled tm. j/k Foot controlled all the way __________________ The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. keep us free:

06-27-10, 07:05 PM	#6
BassinBandit BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Elliston, VA Posts: 446	Probably would depend on what you get used to. I love my foot control and would never use a hand control on my bass boat. I have though had to use one on my old jonboat and got used to it and it wasn't bad but foot control was better. __________________ H.G.: No. What I did to those men, after I tracked them down? That's the worst pain you can experience.

06-27-10, 07:45 PM	#7
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Depends on the boat. For a small boat like a jon boat a hand control is easier. For a bass rig with casting decks I prefer a foot control. Easier to control the boat IMO. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

06-27-10, 02:39 PM	#2
Embrey BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 505	hand control sucks. cant fish while trolling,which is a constant thing for me

06-27-10, 05:57 PM	#4
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	I lean towards foot, but its closer than it should be. Perhaps because my boat is smaller and more tippy, I can find it hard to stand on the pedal and steer as accurately as I would like. Still, you get more casts in a day with a foot control as opposed to hand.

06-27-10, 09:13 PM	#8
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	I agree that it depends on the boat - a small Jon boat, perhaps rear hand control is best, bigger boat with a rear gas engine, perhaps front mount/foot control. __________________ Fish now, work later

06-27-10, 09:31 PM	#9
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	I've had both, prefer a foot control. The previous owner of my current boat had a 36v hand control on it. I tried to use it, and found it virtually impossible to use while fishing. It was fine for moving form spot to spot on electric only lakes in my area, but when fishing very hard to maintain course or position. I was used to a foot control and that may have been part of the problem. The hand control was a bit easier to use sitting vs. standing but I stand a lot of the time so a foot control better suits my style. I tried an extended handle also to bump with my leg, but that was not acceptable. Bought a foot contol a couple weeks later - much better application for my boat and style of fishing.

06-28-10, 05:36 PM	#10
CamG BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Superior, NE Posts: 974	Foot...I run a foot control on my big and small boat. Can't stand the hand control at all. You spend more time dinking with a hand control than it's worth.

06-29-10, 04:30 PM	#11
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	Since my salt water experience, i have been looking into making my first boat double duty... it is liek pulling teeth to find a salt water trolling motor that is foot controlled. I can only guess that this is because most salt water trolling motor usage is constant on due to moving tides and not on/off for position control like in a bass boat??? I know foot control just makes more sense to me...

06-29-10, 10:22 PM	#12
GregK9 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 57	Foot. I use my hands to cast and reel.

06-30-10, 08:31 AM	#13
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	I went wireless two years ago and will never go back to foot.. I also prefer hand controll too with a Big Foot switch and extension handle. If you are on a budget and want the most lb thrust availble for the money go with the three items mentioned .. There is friction sleeve on most hand controls that will not allow the motor to swing left and right very easy or with tension.. mount a Big Foot switch on the deck and set motor to a mid range and just step on the button now and then to adjust. The extension handle will allow you to kick the motor left or right with your knee / body or foot.. Saves some bucks and works very well. But once you go wireless you will never go back.. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

06-30-10, 05:28 PM	#15
dave BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 401	I have been using a hand control for two years. I have it due to a small front deck. (huge space saver) It is working out great for me. Mike is right about the big Foot. It has a lever on it to keep it on constantly. Put it on low and just move slowly along. Kick it off when you want to stop. Or, just keep stepping on and off the button.

07-01-10, 11:07 AM	#16
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Without hesitation I say foot control. Fishing in the wind with a hand control is next to impossible. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

07-01-10, 01:15 PM	#18
WatterBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Owatonna, MN Posts: 2,280	Yup, foot control all the way. Would never even consider the hand control.

07-01-10, 01:18 PM	#19
walkeraviator BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,119	Is there a foot control salt water option?

07-18-10, 08:02 AM	#21
Dennis1022 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Eden, NC Posts: 24	Foot Control I have always used hand control trolling motor until now! I had just purchased a Minn Kota 24 volt 70 pound Thrust Edge! I still have a transom mount Minn Kota 55 pound thrust also a 33 pound thrust transom mount! *But now I need t learn how to use a foot control, just get use to foot and not using my hands an allowing me to cast more and less steering!* *So I'm hoping I'm going to keep my vote or my opinion to foot control!* *Dennis* __________________ *Dennis iyankapiMatho ( RunningBear )* *Wakan tanan kici un yelo* *( May the Great Spirit Bless You )*

09-17-10, 09:02 PM	#22
mgeod BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	Hand control Have had both . Set up properly , I prefer a hand control. Wind or current is not a problem. One of the things I like about a hand control is the friction to keep it pointed where you want it to go. Big Foot switches and a Pro Kontrol handle is the set up I use.

09-18-10, 06:10 AM	#23
Dave63 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Farmersburg, IN Posts: 341	Next motor after this hand control craps, will be a foot control. No question!

09-18-10, 09:07 AM	#24
andyfender BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 23	What about wireless?

09-18-10, 01:53 PM	#25
dave0943 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Iron Mountain, MI Posts: 174	I've had a few hand controls in my day. Mostly owned 14 footers, John and deep v. The boat I have now is a bass boat with casting platforms. I bought the Edge foot control and had a learning curve learning not to go in circles.The hand control units served the purpose, but I can't see ever going back. All the trolling motors I've had have been Minn Kota's.

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