Originally Posted by
Hanr3
I use follow the contour all the time. Works fantastic once you understand it. Wind plays hell with initial start and maintaining course. If the boat blows off coarse, the trolling motor will take you back to where you started "FTC". then follow the line you choose. I sometimes get impatient and want it to react faster. Give it time and it will get you going in the right direction. A trick I use is to select a point on the contour line way downwind and start. By time i get to that point, the TM has made adjustments for wind and direction, plus it gives me time to put my lines out once it is under control. That point might be a 1/10 of a mile away, even if I'm next to the contour line when I start FTC.
If the contour line moves around a lot, it will follow it, wind will affect the path. I prefer to use a contour line that is pretty fluid and offset the path by X # of feet to either side to fish the depth I want. Say i want to fish the 10' contour line. However, it's pretty irregular and erratic. Look at the 15' contour line, is it smother? Select it and offset 4' close to teh 10' contour line.
Another option, I like to map areas and follow the bottom transition. Hard/soft or vegetation line.
Another option, make way points along the route you want to follow. Navigate to the next way point. Or record a trail and follow it.
Follow the contour has many options, some are better than others and depend on teh conditions.
Whichever method you choose, realize wind plays a part. I prefer to troll into the wind. Although I spent last year learning to troll with the wind. it can be challenging to keep the bow of the boat int eh lead. But playing with TM and wind in my Deep-V has taught me some serious boat control in just about any situation. i can put the boat where I want, when I want in anything under 20mph winds.
While we are talking about FTC, another tool I really like to use is spotlock. I use it to work a shoreline of downed trees. Spotlock allows 5' changes in any direction. Use that feature to your advantage to work a shoreline. go up 5', out 5', out another 5' up 5' more, 5' more, in 5', in 5'. Pretty much how I work a tree. I can fish the shore before the tree, around the tree and the shore on the other side. I keep the boat casting distance from my target and use the remote to move.
I also use it to work fish cribs. I start out a long throw away and work my way close 5' at a time. I can work both sides and all the way around it if needed.
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Another feature of I-Pilot link is the circle feature. I've only used it a couple of times. Still not real familiar with it. I want to play with it in a cove. See if I can't make it follow the shoreline up and down both sides of a cove.
