Trolling motor setup

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dootech

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Oct 23, 2015
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Twin cities, Minnesota
What are you guys all using? I've got a foot controlled 55lb minkota that I like, but I'm not so good controlling with the foot and I've seen so many people that have a bow mount but hand controlled. What gives?
 
I've had everything from the electric foot control; hand control; and presently have a cable control.

I have NOT purchased the fancy, expensive units that have remote steering. I suspect that would be the Cadillac style, but doesn't fit me or my budget very well.

I know very little about bow fishing, so I can only answer based on regular fishing.

Of the various styles, I think I still prefer the hand controlled units. Both the electric steer and the cable steer devices seem to make me pay a lot more attention to where I am going and what direction the boat is going. They give me less time to pay attention to quality fishing/casting.

Just one old guy's opinion. richg99
 
I've used all 3 styles and have owned a hand controlled and cable steer. Cable steer is my favorite by far. The more you use it, the better feel you get as far as foot positioning. I can troll for hours and never look at the head to see which direction Its facing. I use the angle of my ankle/foot to tell me. I hated having to take my hand off the rod to make the slightest adjustment.

It all just boils down to user preference.
 
Bow mount hand control is the way to go for bowfishing. You will want a long shaft of 50+ inches so that you can steer while standing. Ideally the motor should be mounted so that you can steer with your bow drawing hand.

Hand control advantages:
Quick turns; better maneuverability
Easy operator transition; if you shoot a fish, your buddy can just grab the tiller and take over the motor.
Ease of use; no fumbling with foot control or remotes. This is especially advantageous when you have a fish on.


You can see in this pic how my motor is mounted. When deciding the mounting I gave preference to bowfishing, but it works quite well in most all other applications. Since I'm right handed (my right hand is my draw hand) I have the motor offset to the starboard side of the boat.
 

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