new I pilot

[ragnar]

Just installed new minkotta v2 55 with ipilot. Headed out in the winds tonight to see how it does. Ready for monster feist if all goes well. Any helpfull ideas for either one?

[Ozark88]

I have one just like that, had it installed last spring. I really like mine. Only helpful idea is to practice with it and all the features once you get out on the water. You'll like it!!!!

[crappiecaster]

I have a Terrova & in strong wind, I am pretty disappointed w/ spot lock & auto pilot. It takes too long for the gps to realize your moving b4 it kicks in & buy that time, your off course or off the structure your fishing on & you need 10lbs of weight to keep your lure down because your going full blast back to the last spot lock. It's cool when you catch a fish , loose a lure ect. The spot lock keeps you in the area w/o having to pay attention or floating across the lake while you are pre occupied.

[fishingtim]

Awesome, sounds like a good set up, sorry I can't help you out.
...and you picked a great day to test it out in strong wind, currently I see there is a 25mph wind outside.
Good luck and be safe.

[crappieslinger]

One of the biggest things I had to learn was to set my spot lock up-wind of where I actually want to be. The windier it is, the farther up-wind you need to set it.
I would not trade the I-Pilot for anything! I love it!

[Blackdog40]

My experience with spot lock is the same. I wish I would have saved my money.

[laltec]

One of the biggest things I had to learn was to set my spot lock up-wind of where I actually want to be. The windier it is, the farther up-wind you need to set it.
I would not trade the I-Pilot for anything! I love it!

what he said.... I hope u like it. If nothing else it will make the spider rigging ur wanting to do easier

[laltec]

I think if ya got the 2012 model you'll love it for what ur wanting to do!!! If u got the 2011 or earlier model you'll prob trade up

[KAG]

Since I do so much trolling I use mine a lot on auto pilot as I move around the boat and do things or repeat previous tracks. Spot lock has never been that great for me. It does things I have not learned to use yet.

[DuckHuntingUSA]

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.