Spot-Lock is Minn Kota’s GPS anchoring feature. When you engage it, a GPS-equipped trolling motor records your position and then steers and runs its motor automatically to hold the boat there, compensating for wind and current, much like a virtual anchor. It is available on GPS-enabled Minn Kota bow mounts such as the Terrova, Ultrex and Ulterra and their Riptide saltwater versions. Other brands offer similar GPS anchoring under their own names.
How Spot-Lock works
- The motor’s GPS receiver records the boat’s position when you press Spot-Lock.
- As wind or current pushes the boat away, the motor turns toward the spot and adds thrust.
- It keeps correcting until you turn Spot-Lock off or move the lock point.
What is Spot-Lock Jog?
Jog lets you move the locked position a short distance in a chosen direction without turning Spot-Lock off, so you can shift slightly to reach a better casting angle. The step size depends on the model and settings.
Why anglers use it
- Hold on a brush pile, rock pile or dock without dropping an anchor.
- Stay put in deep water where anchoring is impractical.
- Keep both hands free for fishing.
- Return to the same spot reliably.
Battery use
Holding position takes very little power on a calm day but much more in strong wind or current, because the motor works constantly. Plan battery capacity accordingly; see trolling motor battery life and lithium vs lead-acid.
Spot-Lock vs a real anchor
A physical anchor uses no battery and holds in any conditions the anchor can grip, but it takes time to set and retrieve, disturbs the bottom and can snag. Spot-Lock sets and releases instantly and lets you move the spot at the push of a button, but it depends on battery charge and works hardest in strong wind. Many anglers carry both, using Spot-Lock for quick stops and an anchor for long stays or when batteries are low.
Using Spot-Lock in current and wind
In a river or tidal current, the motor runs almost constantly, so check its thrust is enough for your boat and conditions. A motor sized up from the minimum thrust holds more steadily; see trolling motor size guide.
Which motors have it?
Spot-Lock comes on GPS models of the Terrova, Ultrex and Ulterra, and their Riptide versions. See Spot-Lock trolling motors and Terrova vs Ultrex vs Ulterra. In our range, the Terrova 80 is $1,899.99, the Ultrex 80 $2,499.99 and the Ulterra 80 $2,799.99; check each listing for its GPS and Spot-Lock features.
Tips
- Lock slightly upwind or up-current of where you want to fish.
- Expect small movements as the motor corrects; it holds within a small area rather than an exact point.
- Keep the motor’s software and GPS up to date.
Choosing between mounting styles? See bow mount vs transom mount.
More guides: foot pedal vs remote · Fortrex vs Terrova · PowerDrive vs Terrova · trolling motor prices by type · trolling motors for bass boats · trolling motors for center consoles.
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