minn-kota co-pilot

[stubby1]

I just bought a minn-kota co-pilot and put it on.Can something this easy to install and use be this great?Played a little bit with it in the yard and it sure seems like its going to be a great accessary for the boat.Sure beats the 18' corded control.I sure hope it lasts a long time to come.Anyone out there have any opinion on theirs.

[hitthebricks]

They work great, no wires to trip on, stay with you wherever you go. If you have friends with it, program it to work their motor, great laughs. HTB

[porterhouse]

I love the co-pilot. Had it for the last 3 years with no problems. When you have some extra money buy yourself a few extra remotes.

Brian

[Chad Halvorson]

Great system. I am always wondering why the Big Boys fishing BASS events still use the foot control when this system is out there.

[azzclwn]

I've had one on my 55# AP,

for a few years, works well I like it a lot.

[wplatehunter]

I just put one on my boat last weekend and it works great. What does an extra remote cost?

[buddha]

The co-pilot is a great thing. It is nice to be able to sit anywhere in the boat and control direction. I was lucky enough to grab mine last year when Gander in Bloomington was going out of business and saved a few bucks.

[VMS]

I've been curious about these for a while. I fish muskies and am casting all the time, but am leery as to where I would put the remote. I like the foot pedal for having both hands free 100% of the time. If I need to adjust the motor during a retrieve I can do it with the foot pedal, whereas I cannot with the co-pilot...that is why I am unsure. ... opinions from any who cast?

thanks

steve

[minnesotamusky]

I've had the co-pilot for two years now and absolutely love it. You can mount it right on your rod, if you want. And you can buy extra remote controls for all your rods. I also do alot of casting and never really had any problems with it. It might take a few days to get used to using it though. I use mine on a Auto Pilot trolling motor, so I just set the direction and the compass keeps the boat going in that direction. So all I have to do is little minor adjustments once in a while.

[rgoi812]

you are going to really enjoy it.I have been using it with the remote mounted on my rod and could not be happier with it.buy extra mounts and put on all you favorite rods is my preferred method as the wrist band gets to be a challenge to use when you have large fish to fight with and need both hands on your rod.

[porterhouse]

vms, I also fish for muskies. I love the co-pilot. I mount the remotes on my rods right above the reel seat. The remote is only a finger length away. I have 3 remotes I use. 2 of the remotes I switch between all my muskie sticks and I always have the 3rd remote on my throw back rod. It took me 1 day on the water to get use to the co-pilot.

Good luck.

Brian

[jigginjim]

I have a co-pilot on a 55# pd. I just keep it on my belt loop. I can have my guide clients in the front of the boat while I run the motor from the back. It can also keep you from tripping on the foot pedal at the wrong time. With a muskie on you sometimes need to move the boat. This way you can be anyplace in the boat and move the boat to your advantage.

[LocalGuide]

The Remote retails for around $40 I believe.

I have it on a lanyard so I can toss it around the boat. When trolling BottomBouncer's I can just have the rod in the holder and I use the remote on the lanyard so I can walk around, (net a fish or w/e). Its a nice addition to any AutoPilot/Powerdrive.

[CanOCorn]

Gotta say I love mine too. Although, when bass fishin I pull the old pedal back out. Old habit maybe but I like the foot control when I am trying to keep a consistent pull or pattern with my lure and not stopping to move the motor. But 9 out of 10 times I am not bass fishing anyway and love the copilot!

[Tonka Boy]

Quote:

---

vms, I also fish for muskies. I love the co-pilot. I mount the remotes on my rods right above the reel seat. The remote is only a finger length away. I have 3 remotes I use. 2 of the remotes I switch between all my muskie sticks and I always have the 3rd remote on my throw back rod. It took me 1 day on the water to get use to the co-pilot.

Good luck.

Brian

---

I don't own one, but have used it before. I absolutely love the thing with the exception of muskie fishing (casting). Say the motor was on constant at the same time a muskie is following you lure. This entire time you're trying to work the lure perfectly. The wind blows and you have to stop working the lure to press the button. The muskie looses interest and it's too late.

I went on a week trip last year with one. I bet I lost interest from 10 different fish because I had to stop and change direction on the trolling motor. I switched over to the foot pedal and things were ok.

I guess I'd still buy one. I just wouldn't use it at certain times.

[porschevy]

I absolutely love mine. I have never been able to use a pedal.

But one of the best things is that when I am by myself, I can launch my boat, send it off a little with the remote, and then after parking my truck, just have it come back to me. Saves a lot of tie up time at the launch dock and leaves room for other boats getting in and out.

[Eastwind]

I put a Co-Pilot on my boat two years ago and love it. My friend has had one on his boat for three years and loves it also. From what I have seen, those of us that mostly jig or slow troll (Walleye fishermen)love the Co-Pilot. Those of us that cast a lot (Muskie or Bass fisherman) prefer the cable steer foot control. To each his own.

The extra remotes cost me $30.00. It is good to have one in the boat or held by one of your fishing partners so that they can take control when you are fighting a fish or putting on another bait. I keep a remote holder on each of my Walleye rods then just snap the remote on to the rod I am using.

[mahannah]

If you install Co-pilot, I assume you can still use the standard foot controls? Is this correct?

[LocalGuide]

porschevy, thats a great idea...

One flaw though.. make sure the batteries in the remote are stong enough to send a signal far enough!

With new batteries in mine I can go about 100' from it and still be fine... With dead batteries.. well you know whats it like!

Just had to comment on that one!

[porschevy]

mahanna -

yes, you can still use the foot pedal.

Asa far as the range, mine goes for about 225 ft. Maybe it depends on where you area nd what else is interferring (sp?) with it.

The other thing I like to do with it is after stowing the motor, turn it on with the co-pilot and get my fishing partner a little wet with what water is left under the prop.

[Eastwind]

The Co-Pilot bolts on to the side of your Minn Kota in place of one of the side plates. You then plug the Co-Pilot in to the plug that your foot pedal plugs in to. I still carry my unused foot pedal in the boat just in case I ever need or want to use it. Haven't used it yet but it is good to have it along.

[Hoffer]

This is a good thread - I have been thinking of getting the co-pilot but wasnt sure how they worked. I have a minnkota autopilot - and the thing I like about it is obviously the "autopilot" feature. If you have a co-pilot can you still have the trolling motor on autopilot?? Plus for me - I am having some mechanical issues with my footpad. When I want to go right - I sometimes have to put all of my weight on the footpad to make it engage. I was thinking a copilot would be nice so I wouldnt have to mess with getting the foot pad replaced or worked on. Anyway, my main concern is can you still use the autopilot feature?? What is a good "standard" price to look for when purchasing one??

Thanks!!! Hoffer

[Blackduck]

I like mine in certain situations.

I don't like it fishing current where you have to do a lot of adjusting, it takes a hand to run it, taking one of your hands off of your rod, you have 2 hands and a foot the old way.

This is a personal problem for me: When fishing with more than one person in the boat I have a hard time using co-pilot because I can't see which way the trolling motor is facing. I don't know why, but it bugs me to no end. When fishing alone I must, without realizing it, constantly be checking trolling motor position, and when I have someone blocking my view of the motor it bugs the heck out of me.

It does come in VERY handy while drifting current to reposition the boat. Both for fishing and netting fish, etc..

[porschevy]

The autopilot will still work with one no problem. They usually go for 149.00 at most places I have seen, come with a wrist band, and 3 rod mounts.

On another note, Hoffer, if you are having trouble with your foot pad, and I never use mine (just have it for emergency), I would be willing to trade with you. Let me know. I live in Elk River (used to be in Maple Grove) and work in Golden Valley so I could meet you on the way home or something.

[Hoffer]

Porschevy - that would be a great idea - I may even try to meet you and look at your footpad even if i do buy the copilot. I would like the option though of putting your footpad on my troller first - just to make sure that it is actually the footpad that is the problem - and not some other wiring that is causing the issue. i am assuming it is the footpad though. Last question - not knowing how the co-pilot really works - can you add it to a trolling motor that DOES NOT have the autopilot function - and then get autopilot that way....I have a friend who does not have an autopilot - and he wants one - but doesnt want to spend over 500.00 for one - would using the co-pilot - be a way to give him the autopilot function.

Porschevy - my e-mail is [email protected]

I live off of 169 and 63rd - southeast end of maple grove. w