If your gona bass fish much at all you NEED the foot pedal, That said Terrova foot pedal SUCKS,, and I mean REALLY SUCKS.You will spend more time looking at motor head because you have NO feedback as to the motor direction like with a true foot pedal.Go Ultrex.I crappie 99percent of the time with a Terrova,I don't use the remote or Ipilot,I use the foot pedal,Works great for how I Crappie fish.I have considered the Ipilot and remotes many times,I may one day,may not,I have enough things to do with my hands