Operating trolling motor...

[Ness]

You know, I'm not going to admit yet that I regret
buying a bassboat and not a walleye boat. I'm too
stubborn to admit that yet. :-) But it sure seems to me that operating a kicker would be a
##### of a lot simpler to master than this trolling
motor. Talk about making me feel uncoordinated.
I feel like I'm attempting to learn to ride a bike
while juggling...lol

[Kevin A]

You're right, kickers can be easier to operate, they do crossover a bit, but kickers and electric trolling motors really are intended for different purposes. Practice, practice, practice (not a bad thing)....eventually everything will work pretty automatic.

[FJH1]

Ness, Kevin is right on. For the most part kickers and trolling motors really serve different purposes. I know plenty of guys who fish walleyes (including tournaments) out of bass boats without kickers (if they need to troll they throw in a 5 gallon bucket or a drift sock and run the main). The nice thing about a bow mount trolling motor is that it "pulls" the boat around. However, a kicker "pushes" the boat around. Kickers can be a big pain as well - especially when you throw in a little wind. This is because the "fulcrum" point is different. On a bow mount trolling motor the wind may blow the back end of the boat around a little, but this for the most part is no big deal, seeing as the trolling motor is pulling the boat. Running a kicker, especially in a cross wind can really frazzle your nerves, especailly with good gusts. This is because a gust of wind will push the bow around and really affect your steering. As Kevin said, the most important thing is practice. After the good part of a season you'll be a pro.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Den]

Ness, the biggest thing to do is dont look at where the trolling motor is pointed, just use the foot control and do it. it will be a second nature in just a short while also dont run it on the high speed until you get used to the control, that gives you more time to re-act to an over-steer error. as was stated before practice makes perfect. it just takes time. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[mkebenn]

Ness,
I'll trade your trolling motor problems for my incompetence at backing my rig up(lol), I know I'll get better, it's easier each time, but for now, I wait untill everybody else has launched before I go out to embarass myself.
Mike in E.A.

[Ness]

I can back up fine as long as it's with the
Merc :-) We've got launching and loading down.
Just got to get the trolling motor down better.
You'll get it too, Mike.