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Having the best spot lock trolling motor installed on your boat has several advantages for fishing and other activities. This is why you should always try to find the best quality one you can buy. The most significant benefit of an electric trolling motor is that it allows you to be able to move or position your boat with great stealth.
Anchor trolling motor typically comes as a self-contained unit with an electric motor, propeller, and controls and can be attached to the stern or bow of your water vessel. This unit allows you to easily propel your boat along a preferred water trajectory. But when paired with a GPS anchor system as most modern units do, the best spot lock trolling motors will have a virtual anchoring system that helps to lock your boat into a preferred spot.
There are different types of trolling motor. In this guide, we review 10 of the best and cheapest trolling motor with spot lock to help you find an ideal one for your needs.
Contents
- 1. Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Electric Trolling Motor
- 2. Minn Kota Ulterra Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
- 3. MinnKota RipTide PowerDrive With i-Pilot Saltwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
- 4. Minn Kota Terrova Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2
- 5. Minn Kota Ultrex Freshwater Bow-Mount Motor with Universal Sonar 2
- 6. AQUOS Haswing CaymanB 12V 55LBS 48inch Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
- 7. MotorGuide Wireless Saltwater Bow Mount Trolling Motor
- 8. Haswing Black Cayman 12V 55lbs 48 inch Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
- 9. ProNav Angler for Minn Kota PowerDrive Trolling Motors
- 10. Lowrance Ghost Freshwater Trolling Motor
- Buying Guide For Best Spot Lock Trolling Motors
- Conclusion
1. Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Electric Trolling Motor
- Suitable for all-day use and a variety of applications
- 8-speed motor
- Built for both fresh water and marine use
- Efficient motor with 55lb thrust
- The motor has no switch so the only way to turn it off is by disconnecting the battery.
2. Minn Kota Ulterra Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
- Sonar system helps to find fish easily
- GPS locks on to fishing spots and paths
- Remote controlled system
- Only suitable for freshwater use
3. MinnKota RipTide PowerDrive With i-Pilot Saltwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
- iPilot GPS trolling system
- Spot lock compatible
- Assist level system
- Advanced corrosion control for durability
- The trolling motor is a little bulky
4. Minn Kota Terrova Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2
- The battery meter makes it easy to monitor battery charge
- Strong and durable composite shaft
- An accurate GPS anchoring system
- i-Pilot system for seamless control
- Only built for freshwater
5. Minn Kota Ultrex Freshwater Bow-Mount Motor with Universal Sonar 2
- Intuitive and very responsive steering system
- A GPS-powered spot lock system
- Easy control with the foot pedal, touchscreen remote, and virtual remote
- The gas assist is not so strong
6. AQUOS Haswing CaymanB 12V 55LBS 48inch Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
- Runs quieter than earlier models
- Variable speed dial improves control and battery life
- Cruise control to maintain the desired speed
- Corrosion resistance design
- The foot pedal is a bit large-sized but still functional
7. MotorGuide Wireless Saltwater Bow Mount Trolling Motor
- Wireless remote control
- Pinpoint GPS compatible
- Versatile motor recommended for boats of different sizes
- Handling and operation may be a bit difficult
8. Haswing Black Cayman 12V 55lbs 48 inch Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
- Can be used both in fresh and seawater
- Ergonomic handle for easy lifting
- Cruise control keeps your boat at normal speed
9. ProNav Angler for Minn Kota PowerDrive Trolling Motors
- 4 smart modes
- Turns your phone into HD chart-plotter
- No cell-service required
10. Lowrance Ghost Freshwater Trolling Motor
- Quietest trolling motor
- Zero interference
- Fully configurable pedal with shortcuts
- Reliable and powerful
- Only works in freshwater
Buying Guide For Best Spot Lock Trolling Motors
What Is Spot Lock/GPS/Anchor Lock Feature In Trolling Motor?
The Anchor lock feature is a mechanism designed to help keep your boat locked into a precise fishing spot. This mechanism operates primarily using a GPS anchor that can lock to a precise location. A trolling motor with this feature can make use of GPS data sourced either from an internal antenna or an additional fish finder integrated into it to hover the boat on a spot.
Types of Trolling Motors
Engine Mount Motors: These types of motors are mounted on the outboard motors and are designed to provide thrust to your boat. They typically come with a wired remote for controlling the thrust settings. These types of trolling motors are most suited for multi-purpose boats. They also have a space-saving design which makes them an ideal choice in situations where there isn’t enough room to install a traditional unit. Engine mount motors are rudimentary at best and lack many of the features of the other types of trolling motors and they tend to be more expensive as well.
Transom Motors: If you have a small boat, then this is the best trolling motor with a spot lock recommended for you. Transom motors are the easiest to install as they can be easily attached to the stern of your boat using a simple clamp. They are also quite easy to operate and clutter-free since they do not require foot pedals to operate. Transom Motors are cheaper than the other types of trolling motors.
Bow Mounts: Like the name implies, bow mount motors are installed in front of your boat. This can present some challenges since your boat needs to have a flat deck and enough room to install this type of trolling motor. Still, this is the most popular type of trolling motor, especially for serious fishermen. It is most suitable for medium to larger boats and provides better control compared to other types of trolling motor. This is mainly due to the fact that it pulls your boat rather than push it through the water which makes it easier to steer and maneuver.
Features To Consider When Buying A Spot Lock Trolling Motor
Getting a reliable spot lock trolling motor can be difficult especially if you don’t know what to look out for in one. These are some of the features to consider if you want to get the best spot lock trolling motor for your water vessel.
- Precisions speed controls: This feature allows you to vary the pace or speed of movement of your vessel. They are precise which means you get more accuracy in maintaining the speed of your boat when you engage this function.
- GPS Specifications: The GPS of every trolling motor has unique specifications. These include the horsepower rating, fuel consumption, and output level. Check for these specifications and ensure that they suit you in picking a spot lock trolling motor.
- Different modes in GPS: Typically, trolling motors have two GPS modes. These are the spot lock and circle modes. The spot lock mode helps to increase the accuracy of the motor and helps to lock the motor. The circle mode on the other hand helps to identify a fixed spot for the motor. These two functions aid the navigation of your boat.
- Route record/playback: As the name implies, the function of this feature is to record the route plied by your vessel. You can then playback this route subsequently when you need to.
- Foot Pedal: The foot pedal is usually located in the basement of the vessel’s steering chamber. This feature is important for controlling the acceleration and for stopping the motor when you need to.
- Remote Control: The motor is less difficult to control with the wireless remote control feature since you don’t have to be physically present to operate the unit every time.
- Power Drive: The power drive generates the torque needed to drive the entire structure of your vessel forward. This is of course an important feature since it determines the overall performance and reliability of your unit.
- Anchor Feature: As the name implies, this feature makes it possible to hold your vessel to a spot on the water. This typically consists of a bar of strong iron or any other heavy metal that helps to hold your boat in place at a preferred spot when this feature is engaged.
- Straight Line: This feature allows you to navigate your vessel and maintain a preferred trajectory when it moves. Paired with the route record function this feature makes point-to-point navigations a lot easier.
- Battery Meter: The trolling motor runs on a battery that supplies electrical power. Since the charge of the battery depletes as it operates, a battery meter helps to track the battery level accordingly.
- Anchor Button: The anchor button is what you need to engage the anchor function of your trolling motor and this makes effortless control of the unit possible.
Benefits of a Spot Lock Trolling Motor
Powers the Vessel: even the most rudimentary and the cheapest spot lock trolling motor should be able to supply the torque needed by the vessel to move from one spot to the other on the water. A trolling motor typically uses electrical energy from the battery to supply the power needed by the vessel.
Fixed the Vessels: The lock feature of this type of trolling motor serves the purpose of helping to lock the vessel into a given spot. This makes the task of retrieving the boat later much simpler.
Aids in Identification and Tracing: Since they have a GPS anchor lock function, spot lock trolling motors make it easier to track and identify vessels from a distance. This feature can be quite valuable for search and rescue operations.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best trolling motor, there are different types and models to choose from. This roundup will make it easier to choose the best spot lock trolling motor for your specific needs. The AQUOS Haswing Cayman Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor is our top pick from all the products reviewed. This is a versatile unit that you can use for both freshwater and marine applications. It is also one of the cheapest trolling motor with spot lock you can find around and still very functional. Still, any of the other products on this list will make a great choice too and they are all worth considering.
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