Hand Control trolling motor

I'm in the market for a new trolling motor. I've been trying to get use to a 2006 MK power drive with foot pedal. It came on a new to me boat (1756 Alumacraft). I'm about ready to throw it overboard :D.

My old boat has the hand held MK..while it is a hassle to keep making hand adjustments...I find those adjustments to be much more precise..especially in tight spots. Mostly, I longline or tight line for Crappie and fish the skinny salt water for Reds and Trout.

I'm really thinking of a MK Riptide hand control that can be used in both fresh & salt water.

Is it just me :confused:..or do alot of you guys also prefer hand control for Crappie and salt water inshore?

I prefer the hand operated. I never owned a foot model but have use one, just didn't like it. I take a hand operated and turn it a 180 so it's a front unit. been don't it for 25 years it works great for me on a 1544 boat

I had nothing but hand controlled until recently. Thought I'd never want a foot control unit, but I prefer to slow troll with 2 jig rods in my hand or Spider Rigging. I put a new iPilot Terrova on my boat and I love it. Had a few probs with the remote at first, but the ease of use of the foot peddle kept me on the water.

You can either use the remote control or the foot controller. The foot controller can be operated with two tabs (to go right or left) with a momentary on between these two tabs. You can also operate it the traditional way by putting your foot onto a foot pedal, but I prefer the tabs when I have jig rods in my hand.

I use a hand control. For my boat, and how it's set up, I really like it. My front deck is short, so I am right up over the trollling motor, but still have room for a rod rack. Great setup for jigging too.

The new Ipilots are tempting..(set it and forget it) for trolling. But, in close to cover I think they would be agravating. I really like the "instant" control of a bow mount hand control. My feet and mind are not use to working like my mind and hand. (Maybe two left feet!):D

On the foot pedal I have to turn the head all the way around to go in reverse...then all the way back around for forward. On the hand control..I just click reverse or forward and steere.

Do the new foot controls or Ipilots have a button for "instant reverse"?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MoSkeeter

Do the new foot controls or Ipilots have a button for "instant reverse"?

---

Good question, I was looking at this today. I have had a hand control for a while now and am interested in a hands free situation but fliping the thing all the way around seems kind of silly.