Electric power – the way forward by Brent Hodges

Once considered a luxury item reserved for elite tournament competitors and specialist fishing guides, electric motors have become a necessity for many modern sports anglers.

From a personal perspective, I am so reliant on my bow mount electric motor that charging the battery is the first thing to enter my mind when planning to hit the water. Forget putting petrol in the tank, tackling up the rods or packing a warm waterproof jacket, if the battery isn't powered up, I simply don't go fishing!

TARGETING STRUCTURE

Whether its artificial features or naturally formed habitats, most of our time on the water inevitably revolves around some form of structure. Depending on the location, this may take the form of bridge pylons, yacht moorings, rock walls, patches of reef, fallen timber, weed beds, anything really that provides shelter, a break in the current or nearby food supply.

An understanding of how to identify, and more importantly, the capacity to target likely looking structure, is arguably an angler's most valuable asset.

In the right hands, the combination of an open deck vessel fitted with a raised casting platform and a bow mounted electric motor provides the manoeuvrability to systematically work these areas with shrewd precision.

The ability to silently hold position and make multiple casts at potential fish holding features is a huge advantage over drifting haphazardly at the mercy of wind and current. Tying up to the bank or deploying a noisy and cumbersome anchor has almost become obsolete, particularly in shallow water environments where a stealthy approach undoubtedly results in more fish brought to the net.

OPEN WATER

Drifting under electric power in open water environments is a relaxing way to fish. Armed with a lightweight spinning outfit and a handful of lures, you can be casting and retrieving within seconds of arriving at a destination. No anchor, no bait, no berley and no fuss. Repositioning the boat via a foot pedal or handheld remote control requires very little effort, especially when compared to pulling anchor and powering up the outboard.

The new Minn Kota i-Pilot spot lock system also allows you to remain within a few feet of a GPS-identified position. Once the anchor function is engaged, if current, wind or surface chop causes the boat to drift more than five feet away, i-Pilot automatically adjusts the propeller speed and direction so that the boat returns to the desired position. This is a very handy boat control tool applicable to a range of sport fishing scenarios.

As soon someone in the boat hooks up, hit the spot lock button, and the boat will remain within casting distance of the fish or structure. Up to six different positions can be saved using the latest model which means you can return to these exact locations later in the session.