Kickers and steering linkage question

Do most guys just run them independently from the main motor?

Thinking about getting the steering kit at a minimum and maybe a troll master.

It depends on what I’m doing. I have the tie bar but typically only use it periodically as I do most of my steering with the Terrova and the kicker just handles the propulsion. Sometimes on Lake Michigan I will tie the kicker to the big motor and steer with the wheel, but that is rare.

Troll masters are nice units and make dialing in your speed more precise, regardless of whether or not you tie the two motors together and steer with the wheel.

I prefer not to have it linked. I also use the terrova and steer with the tiller handle and the terrova. I know some people like to stay in the drivers seat, I just mount my graph right near the kicker so I can see it a little better.

Same here. Terrova for stering and fine speed adjustment. Can even set the advanced auto pilot to a speed and direction. Works pretty slick even on superior.

I feel if you tie it into your steering u have less control. Versus just getting a nice extended handle. But I’m no expert.

I have my kicker with a tiller and also option for steering at the wheel. I have a trollmaster to adjust at the helm precisely. When river fishing I like to run at the tiller it is faster to react. If running large bodies I use the tie cable and steer at the wheel. Gives me the option either way. I run with a jack plate so i cave a cable type setup vs a direct bar. I also don’t like an extra throttle unit at the helm more crap to work around.

thanks guys for the info.

I was thinking about being able to attach it as needed but maybe I’ll wait a year and see if I have a need for it.

I have the tiller version and usually steer with my terrova. I can also quick attach the kicker to the big motor and steer with the wheel w/a trollmaster. This came in handy last year when my terrova quit working.

Just got a kicker mounted on my MX.

Does anyone that uses a tie bar have a photo they could post of how their tie bar connects to their tiller?

I’m using a Panther Tie Bar kit and it seems like I may need an extra screw or 2 other than the hardware that came with the kit.

Never had one connected, and so far see no reason to want it that way… for me. Like others, I use the terrova up front. I also leave the main motor down, and at times if I need to assist the terrova a little for a turn when the power is low, I can still crank the wheel on the big motor a bit, and it helps. Doesn’t take much, it is like a fine tune for tighter turning.

If I get a kicker, I will get a tiller model and a removable steering tie bar and an I-troll speed control.
Tiller because I might want to backtroll or forward troll steering with the tiller handle.
Tie bar for when I want to steer from the console.
I-troll because after much research, they get the best reviews for quality and function.
If I get a kicker this year I will likely get a Suzuki, because they are the only 4-strokes with fuel injection.

I have a quick disconnect tie bar to kicker. I also have forward remote controls because when i use kicker i have main down and keep both motors straight and use ipilot to steer and fine adjustments for speed.

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I got a used boat last year with the tie bar it detaches on both ends also a troll master at the wheel. I really love it 95% of the time i troll rapalas with the kids with the wheel connected its easy for the kids to run the boat, exp when fighting a fish. Then when not in use take the bar off and its out of sight takes about 3 seconds.

I have a tiller kicker mounted on the starboard side. I have a sterns connecting rod. It serves two purposes, one is the obvious, to steer with the big motor, two is, to hold the kicker straight while not in use and trimmed up. The connecting rod mounts to a ball bolted to the deck just in front of the splash tray. Having a LE model prov, my steering console is set back far enough to sit in the captains chair and run the throttle on the tiller handle and steer with the wheel and have my electronics right in front of me.

Thanks for the photos Ryan!