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by Ron Welch (updated 7/22/02) I am sometimes asked by beginning handliners for advice on setting up their equipment. While it is important to start with the right length shank, leads, etc; I rank one other item just as high on my list of basics. I started like everyone else, steering the motor with one hand and fishing with the other. It was my brother, Jack, that suggested that I rig my outboard with a foot steering system and he helped me install it. The first time that I used it, I was amazed at how easy it made landing a fish in a strong wind or a crowd of boats. The mechanics are very simple and can be adapted to almost any boat and motor set-up. The materials needed are a swivel pulley (the larger the diameter, the better – less friction) , 1/4" eyebolts, 3/16" plastic coated steering cable, 1/2" surgical tubing, and a piece of copper or stainless steel tubing or pipe to make the foot loop comfortable. The friction screw below the motor powerhead must be loosened so the motor turns freely. The surgical tubing acts like a spring, allowing you to turn the boat one way by moving your foot forward and turning it the other way by easing back with your foot. Remember! This system is for trolling!! It is important not to use the foot control at high speed because if it breaks or fails in any way, the torque of the motor will put you in a violent turn and could throw you out of the boat. I have included a simple sketch of the typical small boat set-up, but if you need additional help, you can contact me and I will try to help.
We have received numerous requests for photo's of
this system, Recently, I had the opportunity to see and photograph this
system in Greg Canterberry's boat. Greg's boat is one of the most
efficiently rigged out boats that I have had the opportunity to fish in.
Here are some photo's of the foot steering system in his boat.
So You Want To Try Handlining Eh! by Dan Boileau So You Want To Try Handlining Eh! (Part II) by John Sparkman Handline Sinkers by Ron Welch | |||||||||||
