Well, we all know that you could be the best flippin', dropshottin', pitchin', wormin' machine in North America, but if you're not able to stay on the fish, well.....then your just practicing.

Boat control is my main objective this year. What are some of the tricks you use to stay in control???

I started using my lowest setting on my trolling motor when trying to stay on the fish.  I was using settings 2-3 and it was making me over-compensate.  I now use setting no. 1 and it works great.  Catt was the one that suggested this last year.

I started using my lowest setting on my trolling motor when trying to stay on the fish. I was using settings 2-3 and it was making me over-compensate. I now use setting no. 1 and it works great. Catt was the one that suggested this last year.

Overcompensation of speed and steering are the two things I think I need to work on most. I'll have to try starting at the bottom of the dail too. Working the wind is what has been frustrating for me as I have a lighter boat that sits higher out of the water.

I started using my lowest setting on my trolling motor when trying to stay on the fish. I was using settings 2-3 and it was making me over-compensate. I now use setting no. 1 and it works great. Catt was the one that suggested this last year.

Overcompensation of speed and steering are the two things I think I need to work on most. I'll have to try starting at the bottom of the dail too. Working the wind is what has been frustrating for me as I have a lighter boat that sits higher out of the water.

Same as me.  I just use it a little more on windy days.  Seems like on the lowest setting you have to turn it on a few moments before you normally would on a higher setting.  You'll find the right moment after playing around with it for a few minutes.

Always work with you nose into the wind, it allows you to keep positive control of the boat.

Going with the wind may blow you past your targets were as into the wind just pushes you back but keeps the nose forward.

Always make the furtherest cast to your targets before trying to move in.    I see alot of guys move right up about 10 ft off and start working

The best boat control; anchoring  

im planning on working on boat control also this year, another tip i received was to make sure you have decent electronics if your using them to stay on the fish

The wind never stops blowing here in Nebraska so it is always a battle - when I bought my used boat, it came with an electric anchor lift- I was frustrated with this as it took up space on the front deck, and hardly ever used it.  But last year, while trying to drop shot on a particular area, it occurred to me that I could use the anchor line to tie up to a tree near the area and just let the line out until I was over the spot.  After fishing out, I just hit the button and it reeled the boat back up to the tree.  Now I consider it one of my regular tools, especially when trying to sit on a spot.

Please don't laugh at what Catt says about anchoring.

It works.

I have anchored in by trees, bridges, creek mouths and boathouses and just threw my fanny off all around the structure.

The wind produces the most headaches for me, as stated by the guys.

So for boat control, I try to fish by throwing the bait against the tide if on a tidal river so the bait floats down into the fishes faces.  Many times, I do not even use a trolling motor and just let the current take me down or up river correcting my position as little as possible with the trolling motor.

On a lake I try to position the boat so I can throw the bait to the structure from a variety of angles.

And I keep the trolling motor off or use it as little as possible as I believe the older and smarter fish get to know the sound of a trolling motor and they will not strike at anything.

The best thing I've read was in a shore fishing salt water book.

"If you control the wind you win"

So start with a killer trolling motor. I've also started the big motor and put it gear and streer with the electric.

And the people that think a butt seat impairs there fishing don't fish big water.

Then a logging chain dragged will slow a boat down with some speed adjustment. And also attract fish some times.

Drift socks at least 2.

Then Anchors at least 2.

Those power arm anchors are cool just way over priced.

So you need all these things a some time and a little creativity.

Garnet

Hmmm, log chain to slow a drift. I use chain on my Navy style anchors to help them work better, I bet a nice length of log chain would be enough to slow a boat down. 8-)

face up current it will help keep you from running into the cover you are fishing  

When it's really howling I'll throw out an anchor off the bow.Work the area till I'm satified, then pull up the anchor and drift to fresh water and start fishing again. It's a 50/50 chance for wind around here so we use drift socks alot, which I don't mind as I can concentrate on my fishing and the trolling motor can't spook the fish in this ultra clear water.