To I-pilot or not to I-pilot

Just wanted to run this by you guys. I'm just a weekend Truman fisherman looking to catch more crappie. I fish out of a 16' aluminum deep-v. Fish mostly with my dad. Going to start taking baby steps into doing some rigging. I'm thinking about upgrading to a down imaging graph and thinking about an I-pilot. I've mentioned this a to a couple of people and didn't get a very positive response, but I believe that they were a little stuck in their ways and didn't like spider-riggers anyway.

Just wanted your opinions on the I-pilot and any tips about buying one if I decide to. Looking at Bass Pro, but would take suggestions.

Thanks,
Casey

For spider rigging, IPilot is the way to go. You also have the foot pedal option for dipping if you want. There is a little bit of a learning curve on the pedal because it responds differently than a traditional pedal controlled unit, but it isn't bad after you learn it.

Heck yea, go for it, I am not a spider rigger, but hey to each there own, and I learn from them riggers, they find the fish, and I can move in after they leave and pick them leftovers apart.... as for the I-pilot double yes,,, good for slow trolling, long line trolling, dipping, crank bait trolling, can't beat em, but like speck said , small learning curve, and as for as the up grade on the electronics, get more than you want, better to have and not need as to need and not have...

Unless you are a died in the wool standing timber jig fisherman the Ipilot is only way to go. It has so many good functions mine is indispensable. Would let all my electronics go before my Ipilot Terrova.

They are super nice for spider rigging. You won't be dissappointed. The new ones are a whole lot more responsive than the old ones to turn. Plus the spot lock is kick butt. in the wind. touch of the spot lock and put your fish in the well. Still close to where you were. Can't do that with a cable system.

I also am thinking of adding a Terrova to my boat but will be putting a quick release mount so I can go back and forth to my cable steer when dipping in the summer. On the DI unit you need to go along with someone with one and see if it's something you will like. Or in better words "if it's worth the extra $$$". I have a 1159 up front with DI and very rarely fish fast enough to make it preform the way it should. I run a split screen with DI and 2D but usually don't get a clear image because I am in shallow water and not going fast enough. If you fish deeper water or troll pretty fast it can help you find stuff and have a clear image of what is really down there.

I made the switch to the terrova with ipilot and will never go back. I mainly rig so it is perfect for me. It took me a little bit to get used to but now I love it and couldn't imagine not having it.

it all depends on your style of fishing. I had it for 3 trips and gave up. I bet its awesome for rigging but its to slow for me. I went back to cable steer.

I like Jiggin's idea! get both then put which ever one on you need depending on style/season! :cheers2

I use the motorguide xi5. And yeah the reaction time from the pedal to the head is slower than with a cable drive. But the anchor function more than makes up for that. Plus having the ability to navigate way points and to set a trolling speed and having a handheld remote control is great. I love mine. I would definately go i pilot if you have the humminbirds to go with it.

I have i pilot but as some on here say there is a learning curve. I don't like it at all for dipping and went back to my cable steer for that. What I did do was purchase the quick release attachment so I can interchange back and forth between each. For my spider rigging I am going to put Terrova back on and make myselph learn to operate it better. I also run 998 Birds so it's a great match up. I just need to learn it better!

the i pilot is not slow dipping trees, period, well at least mine is not, I dip, troll, brush pile fish, bluff fish, drag,bottom bounce, pitch drift, every way thinkable, and no problems,,,, but with any thing fishing related what ever your buddies, family, or friends fish with and talk about is what you will give the most thought to and eventually end up with, or most do. so the more you ask the more you will know, and the people on here will almost always tell it like it is. and give good advice.

You guys have really helped me and I truly apriciate it! I've decided to get one and I can't wait! I'm just hashing out some of the minor details before the purchase.

Thanks again everyone!

You won't be disappointed. Wouldn't have a boat without one anymore.

Great call guys! Had the Terrova with IPilot out four or five times now and can't be more happy with it.

Glad you like it. Great resource for information on this site. I need to get out with someone that has one and make the decision on getting one for trolling. Hard to pull the trigger on $1500 for one when I have a trolling motor that works already and will just use it for trolling a couple months out of the year.