Fishing is a pastime many enjoy, yet become frustrated with due to all sorts of small, preventable hassles. While there isn’t a solution for getting the line through the eye of the hook, or getting the fish to bite quicker, there are plenty of ways to organize your boat.
One way to prevent clutter and damage to your equipment is with a recessed foot pedal tray. Why buy a recessed tray? 3 simple reason:
- Comfort
- Organization
- Appearance
A tray easily stores and secures the foot pedal. This helps to keep the pedal off the deck where it can get knocked around and damaged.
Keeping the tray level with the deck allows you to easily hover your foot over the given area to apply pressure to the pedal. Over extended periods of time, this can potentially help save you from minute pains in your ankle, knees, calves, and back.
These trays are relatively easy to install on a weekday evening. While there isn’t anything inherently complex about one of these trays, there are some specific features you’ll want to consider, which we’ve listed below.
Don’t forget to pick up some Velcro too. This will help to keep the pedal further secure in rough waters.
Rod Saver foot tray
ez troll foot pedal tray
everything bass foot tray
Trolling Motor Tray Features
Plastic vs. Aluminum
Which is better depends on who you ask. Aluminum has a cleaner appearance, and if it has been finished properly, it will last for years without fading. Plastic, on the other hand, is typically cheaper and not subject to bending. However, plastic may fade without protection and can chip if struck with a hard object.
Finish - Powder coat, UV protection
If choosing an aluminum tray, make sure it has been powdered coated and had a UV protectant added. Otherwise, the aluminum will rust and fade quicker. Plastic trays are not powder coated but may have a UV protectant.
Size of Tray
This may seem obvious, but before purchasing a tray, you’ll want to be sure it fits your pedal and has some room to spare. You’ll want to keep the pedal as close to a flush mount as possible.
Below are specifications of whether or not a specific pedal will fit with a particular tray. The manufacturer provides these numbers, so if the size is close, you may opt for a slightly larger tray.
Installation
Installation for most foot pedals trays is simple, although the process will vary from boat to boat.
Drain Tubing
Each recessed tray comes with tubing to allow water to drain from the tray. You will want to know the length of tubing your boat needs prior to installation. Depending on the size of your boat, the included tubing may not be sufficient.
If that's the case, you can pick up additional tubing at your local auto parts store. Additionally you may want to pick up a few clamps to help further secure the tubing.
