Do you use the remote or foot pedal when targeting Smallmouth? 

Debating on ordering a foot pedal. 

I fish mainly Lake Ontario , while 90% of the time, I'm fishing for Smallmouth bass.

I recently got advanced gps terrova trolling motor with remote only. 

 

Thanks fellas. 

 

 

 

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

I fish the inland lakes of northern Michigan every chance I get. 

At least 90% of the time, I'm fishing for Smallmouth bass.

Been using a 112 lb Fortrex with a foot pedal going on 8 years now.

I'm always casting & never trolling so this works for me. 

A-Jay

I also always use a foot pedal for my Ultrex.  I like to be standing up front to get a better view of the water around.  I do a lot of sightfishing in clear water so it's important for me to know what's ahead.  

I use the pedal 98% of the time for smallies. I love and die by spot lock. However there are casing I fish out of the back of my boat and use the remote. 

Disclaimer: I rarely fish where there's Smallmouth.

 

Pedal, or remote is just a personal preference thing.  My trolling motor has both but I never use the remote.   My hands are usually busy casting or retrieving.  When the water temperature is cold I get the remote out,  make sure it works and clip it on my belt.  I figure if I fell in the water I could use it to bring the boat to me, or to shallow water if I was having trouble getting back in.  

 

Edit: I suspect many of us older anglers used a foot controlled trolling motor for years before a remote had even been thought about.   My Son in Law, and Grandsons won't touch the pedal.  They're all remote.   

I use both every time I go.   If I had to choose one it would be the foot pedal.

Bear in mind that the foot pedal for the Terrova is quite different than a traditional cable drive foot pedal that you would find on a Fortrex, Maxxum, or an Ultrex.  The Terrova foot pedal is much flatter and its electric steer.  If you're used to a cable drive foot pedal, this will be much different.  The response time is much slower and there is also more noise.

If your always fishing from the front of the boat go with the foot pedal. If your fishing style has you mostly fishing from the back of the boat go with the remote. On the great lakes most of the fishing is done from the back of the boat especially if your trolling at all. You can always try the pedal and see if you like it.   

44 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Bear in mind that the foot pedal for the Terrova is quite different than a traditional cable drive foot pedal that you would find on a Fortrex, Maxxum, or an Ultrex.  The Terrova foot pedal is much flatter and its electric steer.  If you're used to a cable drive foot pedal, this will be much different.  The response time is much slower and there is also more noise.

Remote or foot pedal, they are both electric steer on the Terrova.

If I’m fishing, I’m using the foot pedal on the Terrova 100% of the time. Holding a rod in one hand, the other hand is on the reel. Taking a hand off the reel and looking at the remote isn’t something I’ll do. If I’m not fishing and not in the front seat, I’ll often still use the long wire on the foot pedal to operate from the center or back of the boat. I only occasionally use the remote and never if I’m on the front deck.

I'm a foot pedal guy too @Scott F.  The remote does not appeal to me because I need both hands for how I like to fish.

 

I know a lot of walleye anglers prefer the remote though, my parents included.  They haven't used their pedal in years to be honest.

Lake Ontario I would want a double decker yacht 😂 I used to have a trolling motor that had the remote as well as a remote foot pedal, I would imagine that’s still and option ? 

Maybe I'm a weirdo but I use the remote 100% of the time and sometimes supplement it with the footpedal. Even when going down the shoreline. I set it to a constant speed based on the wind to keep me moving around 0.7 mph. I use the autopilot to keep it pointed in the same direction and make adjustments between casts as needed with the remote clipped on a beltloop. If the wind is really variable I break out the foot pedal but only to make steering adjustments while maintaining constant power. I do operate it from the back deck quite a bit since for a while the only GPS fish finder was at the console.

My autopilot is remote only.  There are times when a foot pedal would be better.  At times I’d like to be able to move the boat mid cast and right now I have to stop reeling and grab the remote.  Not a problem fishing a Texas rig (probably a good thing!).  A little different if it’s a spinnerbait through brush piles.
 

that said, having the remote around my neck with all the capabilities available with just a touch is really nice. Spotlock you can just stomp with a foot pedal but things like navigation and cruise control are really handy and I believe a bit tougher to do with just a foot pedal.
 

since you have the remote, use it and see how you get on. If you feel you’re missing something, then pick up the foot pedal.  

I have an ulterra and find that I used the remote more. Either way I am fine with both. The remote makes simple adjustments easier on straight banks I feel.