In my 24 cc we use gps to find rocks and wrecks offshore. When we get close to the under water structer we put the trolling motor all the way down. Using the Yamaha we bump in and out of gear until we mark the rock/wreck on the Simrad. We then hit spotlock on the trolling motor and catch them up!

Getting an iPilot trolling motor was a paradigm shift every bit
as potent as when I got side scan/downscan sonar.

It's one of those things that when you are considering getting
you balk a bit at the price. Then after fishing with it a few times
you say to yourself, quietly, "Dang. I would have gladly paid more".

.

You can still catch fish without GPS trolling motor. But once you get one, you'll never fish without it again. It's hard to explain, you'll have to experience it. My brother took my advice, and has caught many many big fish since. He attributes his newly found success to the Xi5, because he can now sit on a point or hump and work an area thoroughly, whereas he couldn't before. Before, he'd catch 1 or 2, then lose his position; now, he catches 5 or 6 or more on the same point.

complete game changer. with XI5 i spend my days fishing now and not foolin with the dang trolling motor.
see fish on fishfinder touch finger on screen and trolling motor parks on top of fish.

I have a regular MinnKota Foot Control trolling motor. It is helpful but a pain in the Arse to stay on something.

So.... how much am I looking at spending for an iPilot?

I just got quoted a new 112lb saltwater riptide Terrova with a 60� shaft for $2019.00. If you can get by with a 70lb, the Power Drive is quite a bit cheaper. I had one, and I can tell you it will move a 22� CC bay boat 2.6 mph and it will hold spot lock in 20 mph wind with no issues.

Good to know. Thank you

Well I got to use my new ipilot, spot lock trolling motor this weekend at PK. Anyone who was out fishing there this weekend knew how bad the wind was blowing. I can not believe how much of a difference it makes. I was able to spot lock on a particular spot and never move. Caught fish all weekend long. Would have never been able to do that if not for the new trolling motor. Worth every penny I spent!!

That�s awesome! It is a game changer for sure! I�ve been so surprised how good of a job it does with some strong winds! The �go to� function is priceless as well! I have a recent YouTube video over hybrids/white bass on sonar and in it you�ll see where I put crosshairs over large schools and was able to have successful trip after trip because of this ability to go to them, spot lock, present shad to them within a few minutes.

What did you end up getting?

I was fishing at night using the spot lock trolling motor. Me and my son caught over 60 sand bass after dark in less than a few hours fishing each night. Had to teach him how to fish at night and what to expect when they bite. We would have caught more but spent my time teaching him how to do it. Was more enjoyable watching my son catch fish than it was about catching numbers. Would have been up till 5 am cleaning fish if we had kept our limit on sandbass and striper. Other striper were caught during the day downrigging on buck tail jigs that I pour, paint and tie myself. Would post pics but not sure how to go about doing it. Old guy here and computers are hard......lol

I have an I-pilot trolling motor and guide for stripers on Whitney. I have used my trolling motor one time in 4 years when I hit some rocks and messed up my prop. Trolling motors don't catch fish; experience and technique do. If you are shopping on a budget and have to choose between imaging electronics or a trolling motor go with a quality down scan/side scan/gps/sonar unit.