Thread: Using the Spot Lock function of the updated i-Pilot to target fall crappies

Here's a link to an article and video that shows how the Spot Lock function of the updated MinnKota i-Pilot system can be used to target some nice fall crappies on the Mississippi River. In this particular video, Spot Lock was used to hold boat position off the tip of a very productive tree, while working against a steady downstream current and a swirling wind. This application really demonstrates the true power of the i-Pilot: it will handle routine boat control tasks while you focus your time and attention on catching fish. Hope you like it!

Using Spot Lock to target fall river crappies

thats really kool. thanks

I like, Thanks for takeing time to do. Good looking crappie

Jason, youre always very simple to understand when demonstrating something. I have the older version of the I-polot and hardly ever use the spotlock for my style of fishing. Are there other features that are enhanced on the newer version other than the obvious change in the control?

There are a couple of additional functional changes that have been made to the overall system. I'll be covering those in the coming weeks.

I have been using that feature on the river for trout several times. Also use it on the lakes when the wind is constant from one direction. Variable wind direction really complicates things. The best part is when I bring my little one with me the ipilot lets me focus on teachng her.

i have a older i pilot and some times it will start turnning on its own . seams like it does it in serton places .would like to have the newer one with the spot lock and conture track . going to start saving the $$$$$$ or sell some over stocked fishing equipment .

Jason, I always love your info. I have the minnkota with i-pilot and love it for the record a track for trolling crankbaits but ill be honest the spotlock feature makes me so mad some times. Not to take anything from your video but that particular situation was about the best situation for the spotlock feature. I fish on lakes and when using spotlock in even a 10mph wind is a joke. Don't get me wrong, in some situations (not many) it has kept me on a spot but that is either in a situation like your in or 0-5mph wind. I do fish out of a high sided deep-v boat and I would say that it could work a little better in a heavy bass boat Matter of fact, just the other day I tried staying just close to a laydown with spotlock in approx 10-15mph wind. I would get blown approx 25-30ft off my spot and the motor would race you back, then the boat would go past the spot. It was worthless. Im glad it works so well for ya. We fished the ohio river for cats drift fishing this past summer. NOW THAT was where that thing really shined!!!!! It kept us in the "general" area and caught fish without dropping an anchor or anything. There are times that thing is nice. Other times it makes me want to pull my hair out.

You think that It would tend to do better on a bass boat than a very light deep v alum boat???

My i-Pilot/Terrova 101 is mounted on a Deep V walleye boat (a Ranger 1860), but many of the guys in my circle run the i-Pilot on Deep V tin boats or even on flat bottoms, and most are very very happy with its performance. In my mind, the optimum conditions for using the i-Pilot are when there is a steady force trying to move the boat off position....whether that's a steady current, steady wave action, or a steady wind. Blend two or more of these together, in such a way that they are not all acting to move the boat in the same direction, and the i-Pilot has to work harder to control position. In my mind, by selecting a situation where I had steady current and a cross-current to upstream wind, I ended up with a set of circumstances where the i-Pilot its work cut out for it, and it performed perfectly.

Spot Lock is the most frequently used i-Pilot function in my boat. The most important thing I've learned is to start with the boat heading into the primary force trying to move the boat off its position....bow into the current or the wind or the waves. This tends to minimize steering corrections as the boat returns to the locked position. I still carry a traditional anchor and will use it during those limited times when the current is too strong, the waves too big, or the wind too swirly.

Originally Posted by Jason Halfen #511

My i-Pilot/Terrova 101 is mounted on a Deep V walleye boat (a Ranger 1860), but many of the guys in my circle run the i-Pilot on Deep V tin boats or even on flat bottoms, and most are very very happy with its performance. In my mind, the optimum conditions for using the i-Pilot are when there is a steady force trying to move the boat off position....whether that's a steady current, steady wave action, or a steady wind. Blend two or more of these together, in such a way that they are not all acting to move the boat in the same direction, and the i-Pilot has to work harder to control position. In my mind, by selecting a situation where I had steady current and a cross-current to upstream wind, I ended up with a set of circumstances where the i-Pilot its work cut out for it, and it performed perfectly.

Spot Lock is the most frequently used i-Pilot function in my boat. The most important thing I've learned is to start with the boat heading into the primary force trying to move the boat off its position....bow into the current or the wind or the waves. This tends to minimize steering corrections as the boat returns to the locked position. I still carry a traditional anchor and will use it during those limited times when the current is too strong, the waves too big, or the wind too swirly.

great advice....still getting the hang of my I-pilot, but I have found what your saying to be 100% on....I have mine on a deep v tin boat, wind can be a pain, but made alot easier as I learn how to apply the options to the conditions im facing