Spot Lock plus manual anchor combination

[Barnettcrew]

After three back surgeries and a broken back, I fish from the back of my Lund tiller. I was getting ready to buy a Minnkota with Spot Lock, in hopes of my having to lift anchor days would be over. This is making me rethink the investment and just become a troller!!!

Don’t let my experience with the first generation Terrova scare you off. I’ve heard really good things about the latest offerings from Minn Kota as far as spot lock goes. I had thought about saving for the new Ultrex, but may try to save for the Ulterra instead. The idea of being able to deploy and stow the trolling motor while in the back of the boat sounds very appealing to me. Especially at my age.


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[Alphahawk]

I had the 1st gen Ulterra and the spot lock was horrible unless you were facing a current or a stiff wind. Doing that and it would hold you dead on.....but on flat water you would be all over the place. I now own the 2nd gen Ulterra and it keeps you where you put it. I fish under bridges...in tail races. I pull up to a mooring cell where the current is subject to switch back and forth....or be flat calm. It keeps me dead on where I lock it. With the 1st gen it would have put me in the mooring cell. I have no clue how good the Xi5 is or isn’t....I can tell you the 2nd gen Spot lock I own is dead balls on. The difference between 1st and 2nd generation Minn Kota spot lock is night and day.

Regards


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[Barnettcrew]

I appreciate the input. Since I’m not going to be buying a new trolling motor soon and I have an anchor lying around, I’ll give it a shot next time I go out.


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[sunshine]

My Xi5 is terrific on spot lock. Even on a 16' s-16 lund that blows in the wind like a leaf.

I've considered the anchoring from the rear also, haven't tried it so I can't report on how it would work. I do get some drift in wind gusts that can be annoying but it holds up well regardless.

I love my trolling motor, it cost more than 50% of what the boat did and I would buy it two more times if I had to.

[Mudskiff]

I will agree on the 1st gen Minn kotas. I bought a 2018 ranger and had it rigged with an Ultrex. It would hold in spotlock very well. I sold it back early spring. I have since bought an older boat and a used Ulterra. The older ulterras spot lock is nowhere near what the newer generations are. It over compensates in low wind and doesnt hold as tight as the newer one did. The newer ones are the business!!