LOCKED AND LOADED

By Brett Bartho (originally published in the November 2025 issue of Ski-Boat magazine)

OFFSHORE angling has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Nowadays, with the technology we fishermen have at our fingertips, including advanced reef-mapping sonar, live-scope imaging and digital chartplotters, we are able to scout, navigate and fish with precision that was unheard of just a few years ago.

A newer development that is transforming how fishermen hold position over reefs, ledges or wrecks offshore, has been the rise in popularity of electric trolling motors with virtual-anchor (spot-lock) capabilities. Instead of dropping a traditional sea anchor, the skipper can use one of these GPS-controlled, bow-mounted motors to maintain vessel position precisely – even in decent current or wind. The trolling motor allows instant repositioning with the push of a button, drastically improving productivity and reducing physical effort.

CAPABILITIES AND BENEFITS

An electric trolling motor equipped with virtual-anchor functions brings several key benefits when used as a sea anchor.

To start with, the GPS-based anchor lock holds the boat steady over a spot – such as a reef, wreck, or structure – without deploying conventional gear, which avoids anchor tangles, damage to bottom structure, and possible anchor loss should conditions deteriorate.

There’s also no need to take into consideration all the external factors at play and arduously calculate where to deploy your anchor ensuring you are exactly where you want to be.

These motors feature fine thrust control through 24V or 36V brushless designs that are remarkably efficient and whisper quiet, minimising disturbances to fish beneath the hull.

Power settings and precise auto-routing keep the vessel exactly where needed, even in rough conditions. We have proven the capabilities and advantages of our Power-pole trolling motor to hold us over the reef and on the fish with consistent use on our 22ft commercial fishing vessel – even in a 25 knot south westerly wind and messy sea!

This link will take you to an Instagram reel showing it in action. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIj48WUKCzG/?igsh=Z2trN3NkaGNoN2Zq

Many systems provide remote or joystick control (and gesture steering), enabling anglers to reposition the boat quickly. This is ideal for prospecting or moving between structures with virtually no downtime, or even for quietly trolling for gamefish such as king mackerel or leervis, simply by controlling speed and direction through a few pushes of buttons on your remote.

Some electric motors also seamlessly integrate with advanced sonar.

Built-in transducers stream CHIRP, SideVue, and ClearVue or LiveScope imaging through the motor shaft, giving real-time visuals beneath and ahead of the boat without clutter or external mounts. (This is hugely beneficial in the bass fishing world too.)

Finally, another great benefit that also involves a safety aspect, is exceptionally useful when you take young kids fishing.

Employing the sea anchor function gives you the freedom to be able to focus solely on helping the kids and not having to either spend time stuck at the helm or deploying dangerous anchoring equipment.

Many skippers will sometimes forego anchoring and instead constantly be at the helm and on the controls, holding their anglers over a specific patch of reef whilst they bottomfish or jig for certain species of fish.

Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to line entanglement in the props, especially if the conditions are tricky or crew lose focus. However, with the electric motor mounted up at the bow of the boat, it means that even when you’re fishing at the stern and down the sides of the vessel, you never have to worry about getting fouled up in the outboards.

SAFETY BENEFITS

Using an electric trolling motor as a virtual anchor definitely reduces risks compared to traditional anchoring.

There’s no need to handle heavy chain or rope in tricky offshore conditions, thus reducing the chance of entanglement or injury.

If anchoring is illegal in a certain area or navigation is restricted – such as in a shipping channel – a virtual anchor enables anglers to hold position without violating regulations or risking anchor drag or fouling underwater hazards. Because the system can detect drag or drift (in integrated setups with smart-anchor functions), the motor can automatically correct position or redeploy virtual anchor control, keeping the boat safe when currents shift.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Another benefit to using the electric trolling motor’s capability as a sea anchor, is that you are protecting the fragile nature of certain reef systems by not doing any damage whilst deploying or retrieving your anchor.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Below I’ve listed some key considerations to think about when looking into buying an electric trolling motor or sea anchor for use on your offshore fishing vessel. These are crucial to handling wind, current and heavier boat weights safely and efficiently:

• Thrust rating. The rule of thumb here is 5 lb of thrust per 200 lb of boat weight-fully loaded.
• Shaft length. Ensure sufficient length to keep the motor head submerged in all conditions.
• Voltage system. Some products offer 24V and 36V options; it’s best to go 36V on bigger vessels and look for a lithium battery.
• Saltwater durability. Ensure the trolling motor is rated for saltwater use with sealed components and marine-grade materials.
• Advanced features. To get the best out of the product you ideally want GPS anchor/Spot-Lock, wireless remote controlling and system integration.

There are now several key players in this arena of the market, and leading brands such as Lowrance, Power-pole, Garmin and Minn Kota/Humminbird, to name but a few, have all done rigorous testing and development on their equipment.

It is now up to you to decide which one to buy, depending on your personal priorities – whether that’s ease of use, imaging quality, or overall automation and anchoring robustness.

If you’re looking for safe, hassle-free anchoring and fishing, while being kept on the fish at the simple push of a button, then it may just be time to consider one of these setups.