Minn Kota Maxxum

[lindy rig]

I know there is another post talking about adjusting the indicator / directional arrow on the unit. But, wondering if anyone else has feedback on this unit??

My step dad recently bought one, and as usual does not read the manual and expects me to figure it out on the fly. Looks like a nice unit but I was not impressed with it on the water.

1) the cord is really short! so basically to use it you have to be sitting right up front? even if I sat up front looking to the right (so I can see the sonar on the driver's console) then I would have to use my left foot to control the trolling motor (that's how short the cord is)

this tells me the unit is designed mainly for bass fishing or casting? and not really trolling?

2) if I would put the unit on "constant" mode (to troll) then if I took my foot off even for a moment the unit would spin a different direction out of control.

at the end of the day I did notice a "foot tension screw" on the bottom, is this the answer? I believe a person should be able to take their foot off and have it stay on course.

3) the directional arrow on top is not aligned with the unit head (which is confusing) I know there is another post on how to fix this... but what's the point of doing this?!?

[CAMAN]

You are correct, the Maxxum(all cable drive TM's for that matter) is more designed for a bass/casting setup. I use mine for the occasional walleye/Lindy trolling I do without any real issues, but its not the prefered setup.

The tension screw should help with it spinning but will not stop all of it, especially if you use it at a higher speed. Be advised, the tighter you make it the harder it will be to steer.

There is no point to the arrow being misalligned, it sounds like there was a bad batch that went out, it should be an easy fix though.

[delmuts]

The reason mine got knocked out of alignment was to many stumps! It sounds like your dad would have been better off with a power driver model. The cable ones are great for casting, but not real friendly for trolling.

[lindy rig]

Sigh..... He tries hard but doesn't do his homework sometimes.

Guess it is personal preference, but even for casting I don't know if I would want my foot glued to the control pad. It sits up kinda high, but maybe that part would just take some getting use to....

[delmuts]

I seldom have my foot on the pad/peddle all the time. Much of the time it is move a ways, fish, and move some more, That is why i also love having a taller bicycle seat on the front. Place your rear end on/against the seat with one foot on the floor and the other on the trolling motor. After a little practice, you can cast,move the boat, and scan the water for any activity. Trolling can be done, but you do have to keep your foot on the peddle.

[lindy rig]

Delmuts: Do you have your sonar up front too? Seems like that would be another requirement for using this unit. And, ya, the taller seat seems like it would help too.

[delmuts]

yep! Nothing fancy thou,( i don't have the budget yet!) but it gives me depth, weeds, and contures(sp?) I have the transducer mounted on the bottom of the motor. Works well, but it does/can get knock out of alignment once in a while.

[Esox_Magnum]

I'm not a fan of the Maxxums but Dels is set up pretty good. I still prefer my Powerdrives sine I do like to troll once in awhile and don't like being stuck to the pedal.