Trolling motor with anchor function questions

**Palmetto Bug** · 10-03-2023, 07:24 PM

I have been using a 24 volt, 80 ft/lb tiller trolling motor on my fishing boat but I'm intrigued about the ones with "spot lock" capability. I often fish very, very near the jetty rocks and I don't know whether they are precise enough to keep me out of trouble. I also don't know how intuitive it would be steering in close quarters with a key fob. Foot pedal control would be difficult because it would be too difficult keeping my balance without the motor to hold onto with all my weight on one foot.

I do a lot of sheepshead fishing so I keep the boat just a few feet off the rocks. Depending on the wind and current, it requires constant steering and control.

How precise is the anchor function?

What brand is better for this, Motor Guide or Minn Kota?

Do they have to interface with the depth finder/GPS? I already have a small Garmin depth finder unit that is all I need and would prefer not to have to upgrade to a bottom machine/GPS.

How short of a shaft can I get? This is a flats boat so the deck is only about 16" from the water surface.

Any other features to look at?

**JABIII** · 10-03-2023, 07:29 PM

Following. I need one for bottom fishing offshore. Every brand has it's horror stories, but I can't wait much longer...

**scdiver** · 10-03-2023, 07:33 PM

Been happy with MK. The remotes can be a little bit to get used to based on how how tech savvy/remote savvy you are.

Offshore they are fantastic. At the rocks you need to pay attention to your current and wind. The motor will hold the motor in the same spot but the boat will swing around depending on what the current and tide are doing at the time.

**Chessbay** · 10-03-2023, 07:41 PM

I have a RipTide Terrova……60” 80lb with ipilot and blue tooth.

It’s expensive, but worth it. Anchor feature is immediate, and the boat might drift a couple feet or so before it locks, but nothing more. The remote is awesome.

They are about to introduce new models that are going to double in price and the terrova will be discontinued. The jump in cost is close to X2……taking a $2k trolling motor to $4k.

Jab, look at Rhodan.

ETA: boat is a 22’ pathfinder.

**carolinadrifter** · 10-03-2023, 07:44 PM

If there is a constant current or wind direction it will hold perfect. The only time mine spins and moves around a lot is when it’s dead calm and very little current. It does not have to interface with your gps unit. I have a maverick flats boat and run the 80lb 54in model Minn Kota. I love mine. Don’t get the auto stow/ deploy. If you have the coin to drop I’d go with the new power pole move. Otherwise get Minn Kota.

**Catdaddy** · 10-03-2023, 07:50 PM

Get a saltwater Minn Kota model

Sent from my motorola edge plus 5G UW (2022) using Tapatalk

**Whackumstackum** · 10-03-2023, 08:06 PM

Have a minnkota Terrova 112 36v that’s been well used and has been fantastic. I’ve run in to all kinds of shit with it, rocks, stumps, oysters, you name it, it’s been great. I’ve fished it at the jetties and had no issue.

Rubberhead* · 10-03-2023, 10:17 PM

I've been very happy with a Minnkota Rip Tide (I think). The anchor (spot lock) is push one-button button simple. Get the bluetooth compass puck so you can fine tune the location - simply push the plus, minus, right, or left and it bumps the anchor position by 5 feet for every click. Driving it isn't quite so simple and I have to look at the motor occasionally to know which direction to spin the motor. And, wearing the remote around my neck is a little clunky too. But, still well worth the money.

**Saltydog235** · 10-03-2023, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by JABIII

Following. I need one for bottom fishing offshore. Every brand has it's horror stories, but I can't wait much longer...

Your answer is a 36V Rhodan. Just make sure you get Lithium batteries, 3X12V 100ah in a series. I have a single 36V 63ah and if the seas are rough, too much current or wind, it’ll drain in 3-4hrs. I ditched the trash can full of rode, chain and poly ball. Screw that crap. Best investment a bottom fisherman can make.

I have a Terrovs on my Triton 1860, works well.

**SpottailSpecialist** · 10-04-2023, 04:20 PM

Will a 12v power drive I pilot be enough on a 17 foot Carolina skiff jv

**scdiver** · 10-04-2023, 06:51 PM

Low current flow? maybe ok

Saltwater I would want at least 24v

I like as big of motor as you can have for high current around rocks etc.

I have a 12v on 15ft Havoc and when big moon or even mid tide half moon, a 24v just to move faster against tide when crossing between spots without cranking big motor.

When this one fails it will be replaced with 24v and lithium batteries I'm pretty sure.

**SpottailSpecialist** · 10-04-2023, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by scdiver

Low current flow? maybe ok

Saltwater I would want at least 24v

I like as big of motor as you can have for high current around rocks etc.

I have a 12v on 15ft Havoc and when big moon or even mid tide half moon, a 24v just to move faster against tide when crossing between spots without cranking big motor.

When this one fails it will be replaced with 24v and lithium batteries I'm pretty sure.

That’s disheartening to read… didn’t want to take up the storage space with batteries.

**Fowlmouth30** · 10-04-2023, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by SpottailSpecialist

Will a 12v power drive I pilot be enough on a 17 foot Carolina skiff jv

Spend the extra money and get a Terrova. Had the powerdrive and the steering system on the Terrova is much better.

**Jay** · 10-04-2023, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by carolinadrifter

If there is a constant current or wind direction it will hold perfect. The only time mine spins and moves around a lot is when it’s dead calm and very little current. It does not have to interface with your gps unit. I have a maverick flats boat and run the 80lb 54in model Minn Kota. I love mine. Don’t get the auto stow/ deploy. If you have the coin to drop I’d go with the new power pole move. Otherwise get Minn Kota.

This. It does better with wind or current. It can be aggravating in still conditions. You can cut the shaft down if you think it is too long.

**Jay** · 10-04-2023, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Rubberhead*

I've been very happy with a Minnkota Rip Tide (I think). The anchor (spot lock) is push one-button button simple. Get the bluetooth compass puck so you can fine tune the location - simply push the plus, minus, right, or left and it bumps the anchor position by 5 feet for every click. Driving it isn't quite so simple and I have to look at the motor occasionally to know which direction to spin the motor. And, wearing the remote around my neck is a little clunky too. But, still well worth the money.

I hook the remote to my waist. Much easier. Just don’t let it get hung up when throwing a cast net.

**Jay** · 10-04-2023, 09:42 PM

One more thing, if you have decent electronics, get a trolling motor that is compatible with the gps.

**SCDkhntr** · 10-05-2023, 05:26 AM

Spotlock is the tits. beats the hell out of using an anchor. The only thing I would suggest is make sure you get a large enough system. I have a 24 volt on a 22' bay boat and in strong current ie, inlet, jetties etc, it will not hold...If I had it to do all over again I would have gotten a 36 volt system.

**carolinadrifter** · 10-05-2023, 06:24 AM

Minn Kota also sells a mini remote for around 100-150. Has the basic functions. Steering, speed, and spot lock which is all I use anyway. I ditched the neck lanyard and used a piece of 80lb mono to make a loop through my Minn Kota and power pole remote. Hook it to a carabiner on my belt loop. You will get used to the remote eventually to where you don’t have to look at it for steering and speed adjustments.