Northwest Fishing Reports

Are bow mount foot controls worth the extra money or is it not necessary? I am just trying to decide what to go with.

Depends on your boat, and it's size. And how you fish.

Depends on how you fish but I would spend the extra money they are worth it. I have a small boat and I have no where to mount a bow mount. So I`m going with the motor guide transom mount with the foot control. I have a minnkota with the handle and I hate it. You have alot more time to fish with the foot control. Just my opinion.

also in the wind it's a lot easier to pull a boat (front mounted) instead of pushing it. Easier to keep it on a track.

If you do a lot of slow trolling with your electric, then a bow mount is a hard way to fish. If you do a lot of shore pounding or drop shotting, well structure fishing in general, then yes, the bow mount is well worth your money.

Bow Mounts are far more steerable, far more "accurate", move better into the wind, and I like them for the style of fishing I normally do, but...

Last Saturday I did some Walleye trolling and I remember how much easier it use to be with a rear hand steer, so.......... No, my wife won't let me have one of each.

Hmmm well I have a small gas trolling motor so maybe I'll look into a bow mount. Is there a minn kota that does both? as long as i could make a mount for the front?

I`m not sure but I don`t think so. You can go to there web site and see everyone they make.

I have the bow mount on my 16 footer. I use the remote that comes with the Autopilot and keep the foot controls under the dash... just in case.

We move around the boat to much to have foot controls and its cable in the way. We just swapped from the transom mount 55 to the bow mount 50 lb thrust. It was the best investment dollar for dollar I have spent on the boat.

Anglinarcher: Im interested in why you said "If you do a lot of slow trolling with your electric, then a bow mount is a hard way to fish."

I have found the bow mount to be better in almost all ways, especially in the way you dont care for them. The only time I have prefered the transom mount is when messing around in very shallow water and I need to adjust height often and quickley. I have gotten better with the bow mount at this task. Just curious.

Rich

If you do go with a bow mount w/ foot control, do the cable style instead of the motor driven steer. Your battery/batteries will last longer.