| Boat control is by far one of the most important | | | | can run way off course on a brisk day just by taking |
| 'know- hows' for a day of success on the water. | | | | your eyes off the screen. The GPS in my opinion |
| You have to compensate for every scenario Mother | | | | should be used to mark fish caught so that you can |
| Nature throws at you and be ready to change in a | | | | have a general area to fish. The buoys then help |
| moments notice! | | | | make that area specific which; I think makes |
| Wind alone can cause havoc in a days fishing, but if | | | | controlling the boat much easier! |
| you have a good sense of boat control it can work | | | | To me, buoys are an excellent aid for boat control in |
| to your benefit. When approaching a potential spot | | | | open water Smallmouth fishing. They are as visible as |
| check the wind direction and work your way in | | | | your rod, always in your line of sight, so you never |
| against the wind. This way you have much better | | | | have to take your eyes off either to see one or the |
| control of the boat and using your bow mount you | | | | other the whole time while your foot is working the |
| can keep yourself totally still to thoroughly work | | | | bow mount. Even while retying a different color bait |
| good cover or move ever so slowly along the fishing | | | | or just grabbing another rod you can still keep the |
| path. | | | | buoy in constant site. If you run off course reeling in |
| Boat control traveling with the wind is equally as | | | | a fish then it is as simple as retying and getting back |
| important for keeping the boat in a certain position | | | | to the visible path with out missing a beat, rather |
| and holding it while the wind moves you along the | | | | than checking the GPS unit at your feet. Mind you, |
| path. I use this technique often when fishing fast | | | | straying way off course calls for the GPS in order to |
| baits like crank baits, spinner baits etc. along a stretch | | | | find your marker quickly. |
| of docks. Then I move up that same stretch against | | | | I use to run an electric steer bow mount on my Bass |
| the wind for more control so that plastics can be | | | | boat, but found the cable steer system more |
| finessed in that same stretch of docks or weed lines | | | | practical for my Bass outings. On the other hand, my |
| for that matter. Using the 'fast' bait approach fan | | | | Walleye boat is equipped with an electric steer Auto |
| casting your offering while the wind propels you is a | | | | Pilot bow mount and I wouldn't have it any other |
| great way to work a body of water quickly. | | | | way. Now there are certain Walleye fishing situations |
| When slow trolling for Smallmouth I like to keep the | | | | where the cable steer system would sure come in |
| bow into the wind. I find I can very much stay in | | | | handy, but you can't have both on the bow! Both |
| constant view of my buoys and where I am in | | | | types of bow mounts have their advantages, which |
| relation to them. If there isn't wind to contend with I | | | | makes for a tough decision when only one is in the |
| can zig zag back and forth all around the markers, | | | | budget! |
| but with a breeze in the mix it's a different ball game. | | | | Now Bass fishing is a whole different 'ball game' for |
| I move into the wind dragging bait. At the | | | | the most part. It requires fast maneuvering of the |
| waterways end I reel in and move, circling back way | | | | boat at the best of times which warrants the cable |
| around the markers using the wind and the bow | | | | steer system foot control. You have to be able to |
| mount to propel me quickly to my starting point. | | | | change direction in a split second. This is where the |
| Vertical jigging with the bow into the wind is made | | | | cable steer shines. Every tool has its time and place. |
| easy with markers in your site. You have something | | | | They say practice makes perfect. Practicing boat |
| in the water to judge your position and that | | | | control on the lake just happens to be something I |
| combined with good boat control is important to | | | | love to do and that's good thing because I can't |
| vertical jigging success. If using a GPS instead, you | | | | practice in the garage! |