Spot Lock con

[Strokerace]

Just wondering... I have a spot-lock trolling motor on my Tracker mainly due to the fact I fish in deeper water where power poles wouldn't work. The problem I face is when I engage spot lock, the boat will rotate to face the wind causing an unwanted boat position. The solution I think might work is to install a remote anchor on the rear of the boat. Has anyone installed one on a bass boat ... is it even feasible?

[BDBR]

You could easily set up a ski bridle attached to your tie down cleats for an anchor line if you want it centered. But if your talking about anchoring in good breeze you're probably going to have waves crashing against and over the transom... I say let the boat face the wind and just fish off the back, it'll be smoother back there too.

I know some guys use a two anchor line system (bow and stern) to hold in the perfect position for still fishing if that's what you're after

[DaveBrabec]

You want it faced into the wind and stopped before spot lock engaged. Fish out of the back. I do it all the time.

[BassinPaPaw]

You want it faced into the wind and stopped before spot lock engaged. Fish out of the back. I do it all the time.

That’s right. You want into the wind. That’s how it works. Move to the back deck for a few casts if that helps.

[styler]

That’s right. You want into the wind. That’s how it works. Move to the back deck for a few casts if that helps.

Same here .. there's times that i want to be facing one way but the wind has another idea. yesterday I made a full circle around where I wanted to be casting so that I could stay in the front.
all I can say is this is a first world problem lol.

[SoonerFan]

If you're wanting the wind at your back with spot lock it ain't going to happen. When you're on anchor mode you are like a wind sock and the stern will follow the wind direction. Like others said, fish off the back when you need to...I've caught some of my best fish off the back deck.

Here is one little tip for preventing the annoying back & forth oscillation when you are on spot lock in high gusty winds. I've found that set a heading straight into the wind and setting the motor on continuous at a speed that counteracts the force of the wind therefore holding the boat in pretty much one place without all the TM drama.

[Highcentered]

I've found planning ahead and pushing into the wind as much as possible makes spot lock a lot more seamless.

[Strokerace]

Thanks for the responses .. problem is that I'm tournament fishing and have a backseater and I really don't like to double-up. That's why I was wondering if a remote controlled drop anchor off the stern might work.

[BOATS]

So go in anchor mode the length of your boat past the spot you want to fish and then when it spins you're on top of them.

[SoonerFan]

Thanks for the responses .. problem is that I'm tournament fishing and have a backseater and I really don't like to double-up. That's why I was wondering if a remote controlled drop anchor off the stern might work.

I believe it would work...different, but it would work as long as the wind didn't cause the boat to drag the anchor.

[SteezMacQueen]

Learn to cast into the wind is all I got for you.

[BigFishSteve]

Dual trolling motors on power poles, like the crappie guys are doing.

[duracraftman]

You would have the same issue with a non-spot lock trolling motor.......lol

[adam_p]

Your theory would work if the trolling motor held you dead still but it doesn't. You're going to end up dragging the anchor with the trolling motor when spot locked.

[mean_dean]

If I am going to spot lock, I approach from the downwind side so the boat is where I want it to be when I start casting and doesn't spin around.

[Thamelau]

With the remote anchor, you will have to let out enough line to let the anchor grab, if the anchor will be able to grab in the bottom substrate you are fishing on. That will mean that you will still rotate into the wind some, if not all the way.

[FloridaFlyer]

Thanks for the responses .. problem is that I'm tournament fishing and have a backseater and I really don't like to double-up. That's why I was wondering if a remote controlled drop anchor off the stern might work.

A rear anchor would help but it will not be a great solution.

I would go into the wind and set the front deck where you want it and fish two people in front. People fish two from the huge front decks all the time. I think a power rear anchor might work some of the time but would be a lot of trouble and weight. The wind will push the rear anyway until the anchor grabs something and then it is in the wrong place again. In wind, the anchor does not hold by weight but by a longer rope and the wings grab something.

If he does not want to fish from the front with you, buy an anchor with a rope and tell him where it is. LOL.

[Bassgod]

The only con I have had with my SpotLoc was fighting an 8 pound bass on a carolina rig, the fish was hot and went under the front of the boat, line was cut by my trolling motor that was running....that sucked, it was a tournament!