Foot control...it's like the DVR feature on your satellite...you'll wonder how you ever did without it

It's an endless debate. I've had both and have my own likes and dislikes on all types.

Personally if someone gave me the best foot controlled unit this morning I would have it on E-BAY before dark. Same for wireless.

Hand controlled (With the proper handle) and foot on/off switch is the only way to go.

I sit to fish most of the time now and using the hand controll and foot switches is a lot less tiring.

I also don't spider rig much (at all) so that might make a difference but I doubt it.

Just my opinion.

I feel foot controlled is the best way to go. It takes a little longer to learn, but with time your muscle memory will kick in, and you will combat the wind/current without thinking.

The foot contol also gives you the ability to go hands free. What I like about this is that it allows you to not only to have more rod control, but to remain more steadily poised.

I like foot control. It's nice having both hands free to fish.

That's a good point. Whether you sit or stand may make a difference in what you like best. When I made the switch from mostly bass fishing to mostly crappie fishing, I made the switch from standing up to sitting in a regular seat, thinking it would be easier on my cratered back. I was completely wrong, and went back to standing.

One foot on the boat deck, one foot on a bolted down trolling motor pedal, and leaning against a stand-up style seat is what works best for me. I step off the pedal and away from the seat often, to keep changing things up for my back, and can fish lots of hours without a problem.

Foot control for me. I used had control the first 15 yrs I fished cause that's all I could afford. After the first foot control, I've never owned a hand control since. Most people, when they get their first foot control, make the mistake of keeping their foot control motor "on" all the time. You only need to bump it on in the proper direction to hold the boat. After a little use, you can tell which way the motor is going to push the front end by the position of the pedal; you won't have to look down. I can operate the foot control and never have to look at the troll motor or foot control; eyes on the line and rod tip all the time. You get that long handle on the hand control and stopping the boat as you move forward thru timber can be a pain trying to swing the handle all the way to the front. Using the reverse function takes your eye and concentration off the rod.

I have had both. Foot is the only way to go. Once you learn to operate it you wont have to think about it, your boat will just go where you want it to.

I use the same controls as Ernest , hand steering with
foot off and on. My neighbor has foot contol and I have
almost thrown myself off the boat on more than one occasion.

I would like to see Ipilot and spot lock in action over
a small brush pile.

MO

Go with Minn Kota Terrova � with I-Pilot ,

I�ve always been a foot control guy � going back to the 1960�s � it�s 2nd nature to me.

But the I-Pilot offers more � the ability to walk away from the trolling motor and set it on Spot-Lock, which works like an electronic anchor.

Also it has abilities to follow trials (via GPS) or set a direction via GPS and it follows the course regardless of the wind direction changes (via a remote - from any where with in the boat).

This is were Trolling Motors are going, (It�s kind of like Side Image depth finders � that�s where it�s all going and that�s where its at)

If you are not keeping up with the technology curve, then you are probably still using a flasher or maybe simply a rock tied to a rope as your depth finder. If so then what are you doing reading this via your computer?

Stay up with Technology,

Foot control.
But you better like standing on one leg. I lean against my seat and don't sit.
Your leg(s) will get tired but after you get used to it, you can seamlessly fish while running the trolling motor.

If you get a digital foot control, you will have to look to see where the head is pointed to know which direction you are pointing. The cable drive motors, you will learn where it's pointed based on how your foot is positioned. Completely hands/eyes free.

I've hand control, remote control and foot control. Foot control all the way. I sit a lot while fishing but I know for a fact Guy Skinner stands all day and uses a foot control. My knees just won't tolerate standing all day especially with all the excess tonage I have. As others have mentioned the cable drive on foot control has a fast response time. The remote control is a mechanical head and reacts too slow for my taste around trees and bridge columns. Hand control requires on hand to steer and a foot to power it on. Again Foot Control all the way.

I use a foot controlled mainly because I stand up mostly all the time fishing for hours at a time and usuallay a pole in each hand one foot on the trollong motor and the other foot on the net really,a balancing act it get to be second nature.

I tried foot control units but once I used a hand control I was hooked. I have a big foot switch on mines and simply bump it when I want to stay on a brushpile. My boat is a 17 footer and I found the foot control took up to much space. I do most of my fishing standing up so it was a no brainer for me.

I have hand control with a bigfoot switch also. I also don't just fish crappie. All i can say is hit a wave where the trolling motor comes out of the water using a foot control........sitting or standing you had better have very good balance and reflexes or you might go for a swim!!!! Also if you have a small front deck and room is and issue a hand control is gonna take up less space. You also mentioned you have a knee problem.....how long could you stand with your foot on and empty shoe box without crushing the box?? That's kinda what driving a foot control was like for me. Just my .02$