Until recently, I wasn't using the remote for my AP120 kayak to its fullest. I'd use spot lock, spot lock jog (I have the heading sensor add on), control speed, and turn the motor for tighter or quicker turns in conjunction with the rudder.

 

But yesterday I started using the lock route button (the N button). I'd point on a straight line to where I wanted it to go, set the speed, and hit the N button and it would route me in that direction. This allowed my to stand and fish while picking apart a bank. It was a lot easier than doing that and reaching for the remote to adjust my course when the wind or current moved me.

 

I also used this function when traveling across the lake to another spot. This allowed me to turn around at speed and get to my cooler without having to worry about going off course.

 

One of the drawbacks of the AP Minn Kota motor is that it does not pair with your Humminbird (or any) unit so you can't plot a nav course and go. But the remote does allow you to record and save tracks (I think it's up to 12 or 13 tracks). I haven't used that yet but will try it soon.

 

There's also a cruise control feature to keep you at a constant MPH, but I don't see the need for that yet.

 

I use auto pilot a lot.  I think I have used about all of the features that my MK has.  In some instances follow the contour is very useful.

I use those features a lot. A couple of the lakes I fish have large areas of submerged weed beds in water 6-8 ft. deep stretching for hundreds of yards. I'll start at one end and set course and speed ( into the wind) and slowly move from one end to the other. As I go I'll fan cast first on one side then the other and cover the entire area. My favorite bait for this is a spinnerbait retrieved just fast enough to stay just over the weeds. This is how I caught my PB.  

On 7/5/2025 at 9:45 AM, Kayak Koz said:

Until recently, I wasn't using the remote for my AP120 kayak to its fullest. I'd use spot lock, spot lock jog (I have the heading sensor add on), control speed, and turn the motor for tighter or quicker turns in conjunction with the rudder.

 

But yesterday I started using the lock route button (the N button). I'd point on a straight line to where I wanted it to go, set the speed, and hit the N button and it would route me in that direction. This allowed my to stand and fish while picking apart a bank. It was a lot easier than doing that and reaching for the remote to adjust my course when the wind or current moved me.

 

I also used this function when traveling across the lake to another spot. This allowed me to turn around at speed and get to my cooler without having to worry about going off course.

 

One of the drawbacks of the AP Minn Kota motor is that it does not pair with your Humminbird (or any) unit so you can't plot a nav course and go. But the remote does allow you to record and save tracks (I think it's up to 12 or 13 tracks). I haven't used that yet but will try it soon.

 

There's also a cruise control feature to keep you at a constant MPH, but I don't see the need for that yet.

 

 

Cruise control for going down the bank with heading locked.  You must have done it with a constant speed setting which is fine some times.  But when the wind is variable and you want to go a constant speed you just set cruise control. Then the motor will adapt to the changes in the wind and keep you moving.  I found anything from 0.3-1.0 mph was pretty useful depending on the cover and bait you’re fishing.