Just wondering if being spot locked on a spot qualified as being at anchor. I had the grandbaby out fishing and she wanted to take off her life vest. I was spot locked and was just wondering what a game warden might say about it being considered at anchor. I know I could just call to find out, but just wondering what everyone else thought.

I'd say probably no, as the boat is still under power from the trolling motor.

But that's only my opinion, and I could easily be wrong.

Same as Zeeks thinking. I always interpreted it (spotlock) as underpower. I’m sure you could get a nice GW or an Ahole GW and have 2 different answers, but by the book, it appears to be anchor with rope only, tied to a tree or power poled down.

this ^ ^ ^ ^
check in tournament rules and this is what they will say also

Seen a warden give ticket to a guy on a pontoon who had a pack of kids without vests on..said the boat was not "docked", the boat was away from shore/beach. didn't see any trolling motor, some where fishing. Didn't hear the warden quote a book/chapter/regulation except the kids didn't have vest on....I guess all of them must of been of age to require a vest on...not sure but why chance it...shtuff happens real quick on the water.....seems every time I get checked is when I have kids on boat or my wife on the boat.

from a GW, being spot locked does not meet the criteria for being physically anchored.
Had him tell me once that no life jackets on kids is an automatic ticket, no use talking about it.
He told me years ago that once you have had to recover the body of a drowned child it really puts things in perspective

Pretty sure you're still required to have an anchor on board even with that trolling motor, so even though you are supposed to be locked on that spot, you aren't anchored.

Anchors aren’t ever required.

I find that the older I get, the more cautious I get on such things. When we're up in Alaska, I routinely wear a lifejacket on the boat.

Down here I may not wear one, but any kids on my boat WILL wear them, anchored or not.

Totally agree. Im the same way. Fight it all you want kids but I'm gonna win or enjoy the lake from the shore. As you said, anything could happen & that "anything" most likely will be a fun ruiner

is there an option for no lifejackets on kids?

Sounds like this has been answered so this is just anecdotal. I've had the spot lock drift a bit and then "catch up" with a big burst of thrust and nearly dump me out of the boat. So keeping the life jackets on them is a good idea.

Boat must be physically anchored to ground or a fixed dock. Not under way or free floating at all is my understanding.

Thanks for all the responses. I am all about safety on the water when it comes to kids. I was just a little curious. Sometimes, like myself, kids get a little warm in the lifejacket and would like to take it off for a minute to get some air under it.

Anchored or not under age kids have to wear life jackets all the time