new I pilot

[crappieslinger]

I like spot lock, holds good enough for me. Open water with a wind over 15mph isn’t so hot depending on motor and boat size, but less then that is decent enough. Like using it to control drift patterns using the route or direction control function. I do a lot of trolling. The best trick I use I learned from SpringHillDuckMan who fishes way more than I do. Use it like an autopilot when trolling with the big motor. Tie the steering wheel down, enable your saved route or direction control, and bring the big motor up to the desired trolling speed. Set the trolling motor speed just high enough to turn and control boat direction, then it works like regular autopilot, it does all the steering leaving you free to rig and retrieve the fish. If your using direction control, and its productive, save it as a route and stay on it. If you’re not on um, adjust the direction to change depths till you find the good pattern and then make a route and repeat. You can troll over the same spots over and over again with no steering, just pushing buttons. Love it when you’re on um. Pattern sets up again on the next trip, and the route is in the memory, and you're instantly productive.

That is a great idea! I had not thought of that! I will certainly give that a try!

[ragnar]

being 12v and 55lbs thrust how does the battery draw seem to be?
thanks for advise already

[crappieslinger]

being 12v and 55lbs thrust how does the battery draw seem to be?
thanks for advise already

On the 16 foot Alumacraft I had before this pontoon I had a 12 volt 55 lb thrust and I could use spot lock on it all day in fairly heavy wind without any problems. Dont get me wrong, the battery was low by the end of the day but it was still holding me on the spot I set it on.
I now have the Terrova 24 volt with I-Pilot on my pontoon and have used it all weekend without charging it and it still has plenty of zip.
At least in my experience they are great on power consumption.

[ragnar]

'thanks thats what i was looking for as well. now any advise on ft gibson?

[tdinges]

x2 on the trolling. No more having to sit at the wheel and steer...It's really nice putting it on auto pilot and steering with the remote; with your big motor straight ahead...but once you have a route set, you have it made...don't have to look forward until your at the end of you route...or you almost run into someone because you're not paying attention ahead of you. Makes trolling by yourself awesome.

The main thing I use my spot lock for is jumping off the boat and swimming in the middle of summer. No more anchor in the boat, and you don't have to chase the boat down when it's windy...probably not what it was made for, but it's what I get the most use out of it. I don't sit still long when I fish though.

Good luck on Ft. Gibson...closest I've been is Tenkiller partying with friends. Not sure if they've had rain that way since September, but my buddy said Tenkiller was getting dangerous with points of of water Memorial weekend already. Be careful...quiz Shane on the hot spots...I think he fishes it every year.

[ragnar]

Thanks for. The replys. Went ahead and hooked 2-29series batteries up. Just to be sure.

[ragnar]

Used it friday in 17mph winds. It did better then I could. Have. Really nice today in 6 mph wind. Need to figure out the auto piolot better. Took a bit to run remote around stumps why jigging. Now if only it would find the fish for me also on a lake I don't know. One nice black at 12.5". Nothing else worth keeping for us today. 2.1 was big fish at tournament with 11.1 stringer of 7.

[laltec]

Glad u like it . How did the batteries do?

[crappieslinger]

I think you will fall in love with the spot lock once you get used to setting it up wind of where you want to be. It lets you move back and forth over the pile and catch a boatload of fish using this method!

[ragnar]

ran it all day but ususally not past 3. had 80percent left according to charger. with both batteries i think i could troll at 1.5mph all day.