Quick question guys - I'm about as boat ignorant as they come, having never owned a boat.  I've only rented a boat a few times, and that's generally a row boat with my lovely 10# anchor.  This year I'll have a nicer jonboat with a trolling motor/outboard, along with my anchor.  Here are my questions...

When I try and fish, I can never seem to keep my boat where I want it - is it abnormal to use your anchor and trolling motor at the same time?  Is there an ideal place to tie my anchor on the boat to keep it positioned properly?  Or does the trolling motor do it all?

Perhaps I am incorrect in thinking that I should have my boat stand still - maybe it's always moving.  I'm also used to 12 foot jons that I rent at a local conservation area, so maybe a bigger boat would keep me put.

As you can tell, I'm not even at the point of asking what boat positions I should aim for - I hope these questions make sense!

Daryl

Well you can do either and both. I try to use my trolling motor to hold me in place as best I can, if the wind gets too much, Ill use the anchor if I need too. As for the bigger boat it can be a blessing and a curse, Although more stable it can be pushed around more with wind

Your new to this, once you have figured out your TM you can hold a boat very steady. Just get out there and practice. One thing with the TM. don't over power your moves. If you only need to move a few feet. Keep the speed down the boat will move slowly but you will be in better control to stop it where you want it. If you hit the TM in high speed than you might over shoot you spot you want to stop at.  you might feel that you are always using your TM. Well, talk to most guys and they will tell you that they are on their TM all day.

It is always easier to move into the current. Going down or with

the current seems to make steering more difficult. Another thing

that might help with your control is a drift sock. I use one every

now on then if it is really went.

JT Bagwell

I anchor mostly fishing an area thoroughly before using the trolling motor to move locations.  

My first question would have to be, What kind of fishing are you trying to do?  If fishing for bream or crappie on the bed, catfish or whatever and your trying to keep the boat in one spot for an extended period of time, then anchor it.  Anchoring to keep it in one spot works much better if you drop your back anchor at least 20 feet before you get to where you want the boat, go past the spot you want the boat (feeding line to the back anchor) about 20 feet and drop your front anchor.  Use the back anchor rope to pull you back and tie off both anchors so the ropes are snug when you get back to the area you want the boat.  IF fishing deeper water, you will have to drop the anchors farther, you want at least a 45 degree angle on the ropes and I usually stretch mine out further than that.

If you're moving and casting and just trying to stay in one place long enough to work and area good, then use the trolling motor, don't even try to mess with anchors.

If you're fishing from the back seat of a jon and by yourself, a little trick that will help keep the front from going all over the place, place the battery and whatever else you can as far toward the front as you can, then turn around in the seat and run the boat backwards.  Looks dumb as all hell but works great.