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Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
#13331837
11/04/19 04:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 351
iFloat
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 351 |
New to us bass tracker 175. 1st boat. Me and my 9 year old tried fishing saturday at Lake Lavon. Winds were 10-15 from the north.
We just want to catch anything that bites. I ended up with 2 white bass and he caught 1 8 inch bass. We fished from 11:00am - 3:00pm.
How in the heck do you keep the boat in a fishable position with the wind like that. For us it required constant trolling. I couldn't step away from the motor for long enough to even change his lure or we would have blown in to the rocks. Very frustrating. After awhile we just went back in a little corner, wind protected. The water was only a few feet deep so we didn't catch anything, he jumped out and went exploring the bank and enjoyed that.
We have the stock motor guide trolling motor. But that dang thing, on 1 or 2 speed, in constant mode, if you take your foot off the pedal, it will turn itself and go a different direction. Won't stay pointed how you set it.
I tried to get him setup where he could throw down wind from the back of the boat, but it was all I could do to keep us nose in to the wind, ended up be the best way was to turn sideways and let the wind slowly push us sideways across where we wanted to fish.
We tried to drop an anchor, but the 5lb mushroom we have won't stop us at all.
Thought about investing in power pole, but the only spot we've caught fish in this lake is along the rock wall, and the depth there is 16ft or so.
Will a better Trolling motor help? Will it just take more experience? Bigger anchor?
I'm assuming that 10-15mph winds are fairly common for us around here, so gotta figure this out.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331844
11/04/19 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,982
bassmanrudy
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,982 |
Hi. If you have the stock 12V (40lbs thrust?) trolling motor it's not much help at all in the wind. I have the PT190 version and was the same deal. Upgraded to a 24V (75lbs) system and WAY better! That being said the aluminum boats are super light and I get pushed around in the wind way worse than my buddies in the same size but fiberglass boats do. Sorry not much help especially in winds above 10mph.
Last edited by bassmanrudy; 11/04/19 04:12 PM.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331847
11/04/19 04:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,602
ToasterWEyes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,602 |
Buy an ultrex w spot lock. It’ll be expensive, but worth every penny and it’ll hold you in place. I fish from an aluminum Xpress I bought for $2200. Ultrex cost just about that and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!
It's only a good cast if you catch a fish... Personal Best: 11.62 lbs
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: bassmanrudy]
#13331850
11/04/19 04:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 351
iFloat
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 351 |
Hi. If you have the stock 12V (40lbs thrust?) trolling motor it's not much help at all in the wind. I have the PT190 version and was the same deal. Upgraded to a 24V (75lbs) system and WAY better! That being said the aluminum boats are super light and I get pushed around in the wind way worse than my buddies in the same size but fiberglass boats do. Sorry not much help especially in winds above 10mph. Yes, stock trolling motor. It's not the strength of it I feel though, it's that I can't control the direction. Dang thing will spin in a circle if I'm not controlling the foot pedal. Is it possible to put it on 1, constant, point it in general direction (safely away from rocks) and look away to change a lure? Or can't do that with any motor?
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331859
11/04/19 04:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 150
Los Lagos
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 150 |
I run a 19ft G3 and the problem is the dame, I put an ultrex on this boat and it is a total game changer, not cheap but it will hold ya where ya want to be for sure. Prior to this I tan 175 G3 with a 70 and we used a micro pole which did a good job shallow. If you want to go that route send me a pm as I still have the unit and put power poles on my new boat so I have no need for it.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331876
11/04/19 04:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
Any of the trolling motors with spotlock are worth every penny once you try one. MK has 3 different types, and there are other brands out there now offering their version. Pick one and you'll never go back to a trolling motor without it. You can find used ones for sale pretty often on here.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331898
11/04/19 05:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,181
JacksonBean
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,181 |
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13331900
11/04/19 05:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 158
NELA Bassguy
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 158 |
I had a similar issue on my 17.5' aluminum boat and for a cheap quick fix I bought a used 65# 24V trolling motor. With 3 people and ice chests, I was able to get up to 3.2 mph Friday. As for the spinning, make sure you have your motor in the water and pointed straight. I found that the little bit of extra drag will help keep the back end from whipping around as bad if the wind gusts from a different direction.
As for the being able to look away to change a lure, you have three options. 1.) Spotlock 2.) Drop a good digging anchor/tie up to structure 3.) (My dad's personal favorite) teach your kid to tie knots and get him to do it, lol.
I'm currently saving up for a terrova with Spotlock and iPilot Link, but at $2k+ it may be a while.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332051
11/04/19 07:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 117
plk1122
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 117 |
My 2 cents. Best thing to do is (said above) upgrade trolling motor to one with spot lock. A few years ago I bought a used 55lb (maybe 50lb) power drive V2 with ipilot ($600) and put it on my 18ft tin center console. This worked very well and I was really impressed with it. Ultrex is in the top class of trolling motors but anyone of them that has spot lock will work and help you a ton.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332068
11/04/19 08:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,436
Squirrely Dan
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,436 |
You don’t control a bass tracker in the wind.
Fully sponsored by my mom
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: ToasterWEyes]
#13332090
11/04/19 08:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,342
EastTexasBassin
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,342 |
Buy an ultrex w spot lock. It’ll be expensive, but worth every penny and it’ll hold you in place. I fish from an aluminum Xpress I bought for $2200. Ultrex cost just about that and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!! This. You can either upgrade to a trolling motor with spot lock or you can stay out of the wind.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332107
11/04/19 09:00 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
Other than spotlock you can try a big drift sock. Will help somewhat but will be in the way also and takes room to store it and the rope,
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332455
11/05/19 02:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 154
katjim
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 154 |
Wind and trackers suck. When I had mine I put on a 70lb thrust TM and that helped when the wind was pushing it backwards. I used 2 drift socks to slow it's roll and used the trolling motor to steer. Spot lock TM will help hold you without using an anchor. Trackers are like kites in the wind...just they way it goes.
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332666
11/05/19 04:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 683
Resh
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 683 |
I fish out of 17.5 Pro Crappie at Lavon all the time. Say hi if you see me out there. I have the same stock 40lb trolling motor and it does just fine you just have to stay on it. To your point you can't just take your foot off and walk around, you get blown in a hurry when the wind is up. Ultrex sounds like the way to go for sure, but if you're not spending the $ for one just point what you've got into the wind and get it moving forward into the waves, it'll stay straight much longer than just being caught still.
There are no fish in sonic pond EDIT: Except 1 20lb catfish
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Re: Newb - Controlling Basstracker to Fish in Wind
[Re: iFloat]
#13332770
11/05/19 01:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,544
tx_basser
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,544 |
Cheapest is heavier anchor and more rope. On a mushroom you need allot of line to slip out to let the dig in and keep you stationary.
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