Electric or cable controlled foot-trollers?

[Indy-Travis]

Hey guys, I have a buddy who is going to upgrade his bow mounted troller. His old one is a cable control, and he is wondering about sticking with that or getting one of the electric foot pedal motors. My fishing is done out of a small boat with a tiller motor, so I am no help to him, but I thought some of you guys could help out. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the electric controls? He is wondering if the long cable is going to be in the way and if it might bo to sensitive or "jerky" compared to the cable control he is used to. Thanks for any insights. -Indy

[Barnacle Bill]

I prefer the electric control. No jerks and not sensitive. If anything, maybe a little slow but you get use to it real quick. For me, the biggest advantage is you don't have to keep your foot on the pedal all the time if you have it on constant run. It won't turn on its own like a cable control.

[Ranger375]

Agree with IBNFSHN
The electric control has another advantage that you have a continously variable speed control rather than specfic set speeds. Another thing that I liked about the electric control TM I had on my old boat was I could fish from either the front or the back of the boat when fishing by myself. Got several stange looks when cruising around setting in the back and moving at a pretty good clip.

There is one disadvantage that I found that the contacts in the control box have a tendency to become corroded with the moisture. Was very simple to take apart and polish the contacts up wit contact cleaner.

The unit I had was 38# thrust MinnKota 765MXT with electrical cable control, not the wireless remote type. I wish it had been a higher thrust motor and would haved traded out on the Ranger I currently have.

[whiplash]

Agree with IBNFSHN
The electric control has another advantage that you have a continously variable speed control rather than specfic set speeds. Another thing that I liked about the electric control TM I had on my old boat was I could fish from either the front or the back of the boat when fishing by myself. Got several stange looks when cruising around setting in the back and moving at a pretty good clip.

There is one disadvantage that I found that the contacts in the control box have a tendency to become corroded with the moisture. Was very simple to take apart and polish the contacts up wit contact cleaner.

The unit I had was 38# thrust MinnKota 765MXT with electrical cable control, not the wireless remote type. I wish it had been a higher thrust motor and would haved traded out on the Ranger I currently have.

I ran a MK 55 autopilot 2 years---worked great in FL. but was way too slow around the trees up north --- at least for me

[Bart]

Ranger,

If you did not have remote control how did you operate it from the back of the boat?

[ncnat]

Ranger,

If you did not have remote control how did you operate it from the back of the boat?

Most of the MK's have 18' cords on them.

[papasage]

i have one and like it .it is slow when you need to turn quick . like otherpost you git use to it . for trolling it cant be beat .maby a uoto pilot might be better .

[ShilohRed]

I have the M/K power drive with auto pilot. And will never go back to a cable again.
Set the auto pilot and make small changes with the foot controller.
Pete

[slabtroller]

Add the remote to the autopilot and you will again say "I'll never go back". The thing is great to have and getting all the cable mess off the boat is another plus. The remote makes the power drives much more sensitive also.

[whizkids]

I have an auto pilot with remote and I love it for trolling.
For fishing vertical over structure I would like to have the foot control cable back.
The electric foot control is way to slow in my opinion. I used cable foot control for 40 years before going to the electric control. I like it for trolling. I don't think it is as good for pin point structure fishing. All around if you do some trolling, the electric controls are the way to go however.