I know I'm not the only one that after three or four hours of fishing tht starts throwing down Advil for there back.. I have a hand trolling motor with an extension do foot trolling motors make a big difference or does anyone do anything to help prevent it?

I have a foot control trolling motor and the only time my back would hurt is when I'm warring winter gear.

I have back issues, the foot control would wear me out, I would look for fishing partners to run my trolling motor and I would ride back seat. Then I got a terrova with the I pilot link and it is all done automatically, I can fish all day without any back issues. It was the best money I EVER spent on my boat or for fishing. It will follow the contour lines, you can teach it your preferred route (6 routes up to 2 miles each) it has an auto pilot feature, point and it will follow a straight course, regardless of current or wind. Spot lock when you snag a lure or need to retie. Truly life changing, really improved my time on the water.

+1! Ive had mine for almost a year now and it definitely changed the way I fish. I think if you don't have a recess for your trolling motor pedal it can certainly affect your back after all day on the water but if the trolling motor is doing 95% of the work for you it makes for a much easier day on the back IMO.

You could also come see me! I'll make that ol' back feel better without drugs!

Do you do invasive surgery DrCrappie? This is what I am looking for.

Is your back pain due to sitting or the constant bending forward to adjust the trolling motor.? Unfortunately a foot operated probably won't stop the back pain. If you are sitting and fishing, using the foot operated requires more force to change direction then when you are standing and therefore you find yourself shifting and using your whole leg to to create the pressure you need and that action would most likely still cause you back pain.

I have used hand control, foot control, and finally went to a remote operated ipilot. I had a significant back surgery last year due to herniated discs. I was worried about re-aggravating it with the uncomfortable sitting and leaning to press the foot pedal. The ipilot is the way to go!

HMMMMMMMMMMMM!

CORE EXERCISES, C Brad,
Good ol' all american core exercises, x 1000

Most anyone I've met who complains of back issues, they have one distinct and two letter answer to this
simple question:

"Do you do back exercises ?"

Wanna guess what their answer is ?

Anyway, do some, do a lot of them, do them often, do them every day, and see what happens.
I speak from the experience of having bad lower disks.
The results are impressive, and better than Advil.

You need to find out the reason you're having the pain. Surgery is a last resort, but sometimes the only solution. I just had surgery 6 weeks ago. My disc was shredded. If you do have to have surgery, do yourself a favor and get it done by a neurosurgeon. Don't let just anyone do the surgery. Do your research and visit with them. I went to 5 different surgeons before I found one I was confident in. Good luck!

Had back surgery in '10, took 6 months to get back to work. I'm now retired and fish 2-3 times per week. I was standing and using recessed foot pedal and was having back and shoulder pain. Bought a new boat without recessed pedal tray, sit on power pedestal now with good quality butt seat and have greatly reduced back and shoulder pain. Also take a few breaks during the day.

I think you mean non-invasive which means no cutting.

I think Dr Crappie is a Chiropractor it sounds like

years back, I had a lot of back pain, I was in my 30's then. Went to Chiropractor's and nothing seemed to help. Finally went to a Chiropractor that was a fisherman too. He said for me to put a throw cushion in the drivers seat and that would fix it, well IT DID !!!

He said that from all the jarring I did while running was causing it, and that the seats in a Bass boat didn't have enough cushioning in them.

Hey worth a shot cause im way to young to go under the knife with any kind of surgery! I think most of my problems came from power lifting in grade school. I always get a big not in my right shoulder blade that by the end of a tournament I barely want to throw anymore.