Trolling motor preference

[Judge]

Thinking of buying new trolling motor for Bullet 20XD.  I have owned both foot controlled and hand controlled both have their pros and cons.  If you "HAD TO" buy and new trolling motor and money was no object which would you buy and why.

Hand Control:  PROS: More room on deck, single button on floor, stays in line easier, easier to balance in rough water.  CONS: Have to push/pull with one hand leaving only one hand on rod when hung, fighting fish or casting, long pro control sometimes in way

Foot Control:  PROS:  Both hands free at all times, adjust speed with foot instead of hand.  CONS:  Less deck space, big cables, less balance in rough water.

I am tempted to buy a high power hand control.  Any thoughts.

[kw4570gov]

I would by the highest thrust hand control I could find. It is just easier on my back to use the small button than stand with my weight on one leg and try to use the foot control.

Kent

[rjn cajun]

I have never owned anything but a hand controlled minnkota and I hate them. I would rather spend the time fishing then messing around with the motor especially in the wind. I have a little boat also with no room up front for a bow foot control. I just recently found out that motor guide makes a transom mount foot control. Soon as I get a little extra cash I`m buying it with no questions asked.

[caddobass]

I really like the hand control, but I have three buttons on the floor one to the front center, one off to the right and left sides back some so when I am fishing to the right or left I can step on them. This helps out alot with boat control. I do keep a second trolling motor in case something happens to my hand control and it is a foot control. I much more prefer the hand control its just much easier on this old body.

[beast96z]

I've never used a hand control motor, and have always wondered why people did. I think I would get tired of bending over and adjusting it all day. However, if you like to sit, it may not be that bad. For me, I'll never have another boat without a built in well for the foot pedal. It is much easier to balance and isn't a strain at all. If you have never tried one, I suggest you do before you make a decision. Any boat can be modified for the Troll-eze easily. I'll also only have Motor guide motors. I really like their narrow foot pedals and the button is really easy to push. It's the complete opposite for the Minkota's I've used.

[squeler]

What Beast said but I prefer Min Kota.

[caddobass]

Judge, I would suggest that you find a friend that has a hand control on his boat and try it if you have never used one. I have arthritis in my left leg and when using a foot control I come in hurting pretty good in my legs & back after a long day of fishing. When using my hand control I come off the water with no pain at all. They make a long handle that you attach to the hand control trolling motor that all you do is push or pull to go left or right. I think mine is called a Pro Kon Troll and was made here in Shreveport. I never thought I would enjoy using a hand control, but I do and I've used both foot and hand.

[wvbassangler]

MK 101 36 volt fortrex

[rjn cajun]

Don`t you guy`s that like the hand control lose alot of fish time by always having to steer it. Especially when the wind is blowing. Like I said all I have ever used is a hand control and I lose alot of time fishing always having to steer it. But if your in pain I guess you don`t have a choice. I found that motor guide transom mount with a foot control and can`t wait to get it.

[BassBUFF]

What Beast said but I prefer Min Kota.

X2!!

[bassadict69]

I went with a hand control because of the way my hip always felt after supporting most of my body weight on one side with the other leg/foot was on the trolling motor pedal all day...after fishing like that for any period of time, it was all I could do to walk!

[FishinSteelersFan]

I went with the recessed trolling motor foot control...love it!  Took a lot more of the standing on one leg stress away.  I've owned both Motorguide and Minn Kota, each has it's pluses and minuses.  I decided to go with the MinnKota Fortrex 80 pound thrust (24 volt), since it was a lifetime shaft warranty, and this is BY FAR the best trolling motor that I've ever owned!

[pawpaw]

I would really like the constant on  on my foot control so I didn't have to stand on the dang thing all the time. Also the variable speed, sometimes it seems like 1 is too slow and 2 is too fast.

[KHill3611]

Motor Guide all the way. I have owned both min kota & motor guide the min kota has left me stranded several times. It may be just my luck but the motor guide hasn't let me down yet. Knock on wood. With that said, I like Hand control over a foot. I have buddies with foot control and when we fish together we swap on & off steering. I still come home with leg & back fatigue. When I am in my boat I can fish all day with no problem. I have never lost a fish or really had a problem with the wind. But I would try a few different set ups before I made a decision. Good luck.

[Todd]

Foot Control, I would rather fish than play with the trolling motor all day. I fished with a guy a few weeks back on the river and he had hand control w/ 3 buttons. We were in a lot of stumps and he lost a lot of fishing time due to fighting around the stumps. Just what I observed, I wouldn't want a hand control.

[bob_rugratz]

What about the ipilot that you can get on the terrova or powerdrivev2.  i am considering one of those. it supposed to keep you in one spot in the wind by gps. And point it up the bank and it will keep you going on the same direction. doesnt look as strong as the fortrex but interesting. I see more being used up north,but i am just curious how they are fairing in the south with all the stumps.

[Judge]

Judge, I would suggest that you find a friend that has a hand control on his boat and try it if you have never used one. I have arthritis in my left leg and when using a foot control I come in hurting pretty good in my legs & back after a long day of fishing. When using my hand control I come off the water with no pain at all. They make a long handle that you attach to the hand control trolling motor that all you do is push or pull to go left or right. I think mine is called a Pro Kon Troll and was made here in Shreveport. I never thought I would enjoy using a hand control, but I do and I've used both foot and hand.

I have a hand control Great White on my Bay Boat and like it when I am in the marsh and open water and have the Big Foot extension handle that I just kick to make small adjustments, but have not been in the stumps with it to have an opinion.  I figured there would be a lot of opinions based on personal preference but wanted some feedback before I spend over $1000.00.  I appreciate all the feedback gives me a lot to think about.

[Donald Garner]

I like the foot controlled trolling motor better. 

I have used both types and personnally find the foot operation much less of a hassle to operated especially in the wind. 

As far as a better brand I don't know.  I have (2) Motor Guides trolling motors on my G3 > bow foot operated
and a Transom model on the back.

My Stratos has a foot operated Minkota on the bow.

So far I've been pleased with all of them.

[-Shawn-]

I like the foot control with a recessed well.  If I wasn't going to have the well I would want a hand control.  The thing I like about the foot control is you can sin it around and stop the forward motion of the boat alot faster than you can shift a hand control into reverse. but the recesed tray is a must for comfortable fishing. 

[Mikeydidit]

Personally, i like the foot controlled better. I fish a lot of shallows and grass. The foot controlled Motor guide (my preference) lets me still fish while getting the grass/pads/moss off the blades.

[Lawguy513]

I have had both brands, but always have preferred foot control.  I need to get a Troll-eze, but otherwise love the foot control.  I am using a MinnKota 36vt 101.  That thing is very powerful and will last for days on 3 batterys.

[bassindude]

I went with a hand control because of the way my hip always felt after supporting most of my body weight on one side with the other leg/foot was on the trolling motor pedal all day...after fishing like that for any period of time, it was all I could do to walk!

I used to feel the same way with my FC TM, Then I recessed the foot pedal.  The difference is unbelieveable.  My Jon boat gets tossed around pretty easy, and before I recessed the pedal I could hardly stand on the deck and put my foot on the pedal without loosing my balance.  Now I rarely sit down.  Foot control all the way.  MG or Minn  are both good brands IMO, and im sure you can get a lemon in either.

[catt]

With either one you are still having to use it for the same amount of time, one with your foot & the other with your hand.

I personally never touch my hand to the trolling motor using my leg instead or not at all; I adjust the shaft tight so it stays where I point it & then simply step on the Big Foot switch.

I perfer the MinnKota only because the skeg on the bottom protects the transducer

[Kuntry Jr.]

Minn Kota by far, it may be heavier but you can put side scan on it with your normal transducer!