Spot Lock Trolling Motor Fundamentals Explained

The Definitive Guide for Spot Lock Trolling Motor

Bass fishing professionals especially love this feature, since it enables them to spend more time actively fishing, while wasting less time on boat control. The term ‘spot lock’ was originally coined by Minn Kota, who used it for their GPS trolling motor anchor. And since Minn Kota were the first to introduce GPS technology to trolling motors with their i-Pilot system in 2009, the term ‘spot lock’ has since become widely adopted as a synonym for all types of GPS anchor trolling motor system.: What are the least expensive spot lock trolling motors? Spot lock uses GPS signaling to compare the GPS coordinates of a desired location to the actual GPS coordinates it measures at any given moment.


This process is repeated over and over again, with the result that the boat is kept within a 3 to 6 foot radius of the desired location, without any active input from the angler. The revolutionary thing about this is that it frees up the angler to focus one hundred percent on fishing, without having to pay attention to boat control.


The spot lock system then remembers these coordinates, and will direct the motor to actively keep you in that location. Another way to input GPS coordinates that you want to target is by networking your spot lock trolling motor with a compatible mapping device, and then instructing the spot lock system to take you to a specific GPS waypoint on the map.


However, keep in mind that it’s important to calibrate your spot lock correctly in order to achieve this level of accuracy, and that you also need to choose a trolling motor with the right amount of thrust for the size of your boat. An underpowered trolling motor used on a big boat is unable to maintain an accurate position, especially if you’re dealing with a strong current or wind.

The Spot Lock Trolling Motor Ideas

Nowadays it’s hard to find any bass pros (or walleye pros for that matter) who don’t use spot lock, and many amateur anglers use it as a standard feature as well. Yes, you need GPS in order for spot lock to work, but all spot lock trolling motors come with built-in GPS, so you don’t have to add GPS separately.


Also, if you do have a Minn Kota model that is compatible with an i-Pilot add-on, you’ll have to choose between different versions of the kit, depending on whether your trolling motor is bluetooth compatible or not. Spot lock jog is a functionality of i-Pilot that allows you to move 5 feet in any compass direction by pressing a button.


For example, Garmin and Lowrance use the term ‘anchor lock’ on their trolling motors, Motor, Guide calls it ‘GPS pinpoint,’ and Rhodan Marine uses the term ‘GPS anchor.’These slightly different terms actually all refer to the same thing – a GPS lock trolling motor. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may want to choose a brand of spot lock trolling motor that is compatible with your existing boat electronics.: Minn Kota vs Rhodan (side by side comparison) Spot lock trolling motors have been a game hop over to these guys changer for the recreational fishing world since they were introduced more than a decade ago, and if you have the opportunity to try one out on your own boat, I highly recommend that you check it out..


Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. When you find a great spot for fishing, your boat needs to stay put. One of the best ways to keep your boat in the same spot is to use a Spot-Lock trolling motor. With Spot-Lock, you can virtually anchor your boat in place just by pushing a button on the remote or the foot pedal.

The smart Trick of Spot Lock Trolling Motor That Nobody is Discussing

Spot-Lock works in tandem with i-Pilot, the GPS-powered navigation system of Minn Kota trolling motors. When activated, the system will hold your boat within a few feet of the same spot at all times. Spot-Lock is definitely worth its price. It will save you a lot of work controlling your boat while you are fishing.


When you put it in motion, you will be able to hold the boat’s position, no matter what the current or wind conditions are. It does its work with the help of the i-Pilot (spot lock trolling motor). The position you have selected is based on a pinpointed GPS coordinate, determined exactly by the i-Pilot.




Just pushing the button on the remote will do the trick (spot lock trolling motor). You can Recommended Reading also use the foot pedal to do it. Just step on the pedal to activate Spot-Lock. This function is handy in many situations. For instance, if you have hooked up a large fish, push the Spot-Lock button on the remote when you hooked the fish.


You won’t lose your place on the water as you bring the fish on board. Spot-Lock trolling motors are also very useful in other situations. For instance, when you have spotted a big school of fish, you will want to stay within reach to cast different kinds of baits in that area.

The Ultimate Guide To Spot Lock Trolling Motor

Just use Spot-Lock, and your boat will stay there for as long as you go to my blog want. You can also optimize the functions of Spot-Lock and i-Pilot if you combine their use with Record-a-Track, another feature of Minn Kota trolling motors. This feature will enable you to record a certain boat path.


This feature allows you to save a maximum of six pre-recorded paths. You can pay a visit to this spot perhaps tomorrow or a week later. It’s great to have a Spot-Lock on your trolling motor, as well as these two other features. They will allow you to focus more on presenting your lures and catching fish instead of spending your time and energies controlling your boat.