Coming up to a waypoint

[GoneFishingLTN]

Ok so I have a 18 foot aluminum v hull bass boat   My current issue is I’ll come up to my way point that is in 8/10 foot of water and the wind will blow me way off it until I power the trolling motor to much and end up gliding over it. Or the wind will just blow my boat off where if I turn the boat back the prop wash will hit the target. I’ve been fishing out of this boat for 6 years now but I can’t seem to get this down. What can I do to improve this

[Ski]

Throw a marker and come back to it against the wind with the TM.

.

 

[12poundbass]

Like previously mentioned, the only way I’ve been able to is approach it from downwind. This means you’re casting into the wind but it gives you (me anyways) the best boat control. 
 

I hate fishing in the wind! ?

[GreenPig]

I use my Spotlock and will lock it just were I can cast a bit past my waypoint. Distance away will vary depending on wind speed, wind direction,and lure. The bite is better somedays casting into the wind, somedays across, and somedays with the wind.

[SC53]

Always come in to a waypoint downwind if possible.

You might try to come in from the side of it so you aren’t casting straight into the wind and bring your cast by it on an angle. Move to the opposite side and try again.  

[gim]

I would just like to add that you should be backing off on the big outboard with more distance if you are drifting over it by the time you get your bow mount going.  I learned my lesson on this with crappies in the spring time.  I'd roar in there way too close with the big motor, and I could literally see schools of fish scatter.  Slow down further back and sneak in there from a distance.

[MN Fisher]

As others have said, approach from downwind, cut the main motor well before you get there and sneak up to it on the TM.

 

If approaching from upwind - same thing, but you can let the wind push you to it instead of using the TM.

[A-Jay]

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

[Cgolf]

Like others said work into the wind. Fishing from a 16 foot aluminum boat I feel your pain. They generally sit to high in the water, basically a billboard, coupled with being lighter just handle horribly in the wind. I always feel bad for the coangler in my boat because the boat positioning is awful.

 

Do try a drift sock if there are not a lot of weeds, that should help to stabilize the boat some in wind and make controlling it easier. Just don't forget to unhook it before you take off. I made one out of a 5 gallon pail that does work ok.

[TOXIC]

I never drop waypoints directly on my spots.  I always do a series of waypoints that outline the spot.  This allows me to approach from any direction relative to wind and current.  

[Catt]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

 

C'est Fini (that's it finished)

 

[J Francho]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

This is an easy fix that too few utilize. 
 

 

38 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I never drop waypoints directly on my spots.  I always do a series of waypoints that outline the spot.  This allows me to approach from any direction relative to wind and current.  

I've also found marking every fish you caught can often define the boundaries of a spot. You can sometimes see where those catches align perfectly with some structural element like a ditch, ledge, or flat. 

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

I've got two in the F-9...

[gim]

6 hours ago, Ski said:

Throw a marker

The problem with that is that others can see it too.  The last time I used one of those, there was 8 boats fishing around it (and me) within 30 minutes.  Shortly thereafter, another boat came by and picked it up.

 

I should mention I wasn't bass fishing though.  I was crappie fishing.  That probably is playing a role here as crappie anglers are generally meat hunters.

[MickD]

Invest in Spotlock.  It is a game changer.  When you do this get the motor that has remote deploy and stow.  That too is a game changer.  Being able to control the motor, deploy and stow, from anywhere in the boat is really nice.  Especially as we age.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, MickD said:

Invest in Spotlock.

For some of us....not in this lifetime.

[gim]

11 minutes ago, MickD said:

Being able to control the motor, deploy and stow, from anywhere in the boat is really nice. 

I assume you're specifically referring to the Ulterra since that is the only model that is able to stow or deploy with the touch of a button.

 

I personally will never own another electric steer bow mount.  The steering is way too slow and loud for me.  An instantaneous cable drive steer like the Ultrex is the only bow mount I'll be using.  Additionally, I'd be using a foot pedal 98% of the time because I use two hands to fish.  The remote really isn't an option for me.

[Bankbeater]

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

Once I'm in casting or pitching distance I drop the anchor.  A 15 pounder will hold the boat without any problem.

[MickD]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

For some of us....not in this lifetime.

You only go around once.  Best fishing investment I've ever made.  At the time I bought I thought it extravagant.  I now think it is a necessity.  

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

The steering is way too slow and loud for me. 

I can understand the concern.  But I have caught smallies in less than 4 feet of water right under the boat while spotlock was working.  I know at times they are very wary, but I have many times been successful in shallow water with spotlock cranking away.  No, I don't fully understand.  But what I do understand is that not having to climb up to the bow to deploy and stow is very very nice.  And safer in rough water. 

[MN Fisher]

32 minutes ago, MickD said:

You only go around once.  Best fishing investment I've ever made.  At the time I bought I thought it extravagant.  I now think it is a necessity.  

Let me rephrase - Given I'm on SS only, my fishing budget is based on cash gifts given me by relatives. For me to purchase a Spotlock TM, I'd have to forgo fishing entirely for an entire year as my budget includes things like fishing license, gas, boat insurance, etc. The cheapest Spotlock equipped TM is equal to my annual fishing budget.

[MickD]

40 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Let me rephrase - Given I'm on SS only, my fishing budget is based on cash gifts given me by relatives. For me to purchase a Spotlock TM, I'd have to forgo fishing entirely for an entire year as my budget includes things like fishing license, gas, boat insurance, etc. The cheapest Spotlock equipped TM is equal to my annual fishing budget.

Got it.  Seems like you are doing very well considering all.  Keep it up!  

[gim]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

I can understand the concern.  But I have caught smallies in less than 4 feet of water right under the boat while spotlock was working.  I know at times they are very wary, but I have many times been successful in shallow water with spotlock cranking away.  No, I don't fully understand.  But what I do understand is that not having to climb up to the bow to deploy and stow is very very nice.  And safer in rough water.

I fish from the bow of my boat 100% of the time anyways because that is where my electronics are and my foot pedal are. I don’t really fish in rough water either seeing that I’m in an aluminum mod V bass boat. I could see why it might be safer to avoid manually deploying or stowing a bow mount in 4 footers. But if it’s too rough to manually deploy a bow mount, you probably shouldn’t be out there anyways. At least I wouldnt.

[GoneFishingLTN]

10 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Use an ANCHOR ~

The results are worth the effort.

A-Jay

This is interesting, as a bass fisherman it seems most have went away from his style of fishing. Is it feasible to do this type of fishing if your only hitting a small brush pile or similar target and move after 10 minutes picking it up?

What anchor do you recommended?

[txchaser]

1 hour ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Is it feasible to do this type of fishing if your only hitting a small brush pile or similar target and move after 10 minutes picking it up?

What anchor do you recommended?

Yep, although I'm likely to stay a little longer at the target and see if I can dig something else out. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-3006-6794-BoatTector-Vinyl-Coated/dp/B014HEW1BK

I use this anchor in 18lbs, and clip a 10lb kettlebell to it when I need more weight. I notice a difference between this one and the mushroom style anchors. 

Anchored everything from a jon boat to a skeeter with it. Seems like lots of people don't carry anchors anymore because of spotlock. Worked for me up to an including "son, you should seek shelter" level of winds.

 

Ps get an anchor rope, most of them float, and they shed water really well vs random rope you have laying around. And you want enough diameter to comfortably pull it up with a bunch of gunk or weeds on it without bothering your hands too much. 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Is it feasible to do this type of fishing if your only hitting a small brush pile or similar target and move after 10 minutes picking it up?

What anchor do you recommended?

That's up to you to determine.

I'm not certain exactly what type of rig or set up you have,

but being able to maneuver and or control your rig with your trolling motor

is IMO a basic & very necessary skill. 

Having sufficient TM power is helpful as is understanding/know what your rig does in the wind.

And then anticipating your moves to be where you want to be, when you want to be there.

I learned this doing it at night.

Makes day light fishing pretty easy.

Using an anchor is the same deal. You'll need to learn where & when to drop it, how much line to lay out and how your rig will eventually sit depending on where you secure the line on your rig.

ALL this is super easy when it calm and not so much when it's not.

Bottom line, a trolling motor used effectively is "Easier".

But an anchor works too, it's just way more work.

The unit @txchaser recommended above seems right. 

I use 3/8" x 150FT of DOUBLE BRAID NYLON ANCHOR LINE.

A-Jay