Three Forms of Boat Control to Make You a Better Angler by Ross Robertson photos by the author At some point, most of us have used the same lures as our buddy but with far different results. My time fishing tournaments and guiding has caused me to come to the conclusion that less than stellar boat control is often to blame for many mishaps. The ability to keep your boat where you want it and how you want it is critical and often easier said than done. Mastering three different tools of boat control will make you a much better angler. While all three of these tools focus around trolling or controlled drifting, they also play a role with other styles of fishing. Bow-mounted trolling motor A kicker mounted to the transom will allow you to troll fast without draining your bow-mount batteries and provide peace of mind as a backup in case of main engine trouble. 42 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014 A bow-mounted trolling motor is one of the most universal ways to control most boats, ranging from small jonboats all the way to 22-foot models. This style of trolling motor pulls the boat instead of pushing it like rear-mounted engines. In the past, most anglers used cable steer bow-mounts for their ability to quickly turn and maneuver. Advancements in technology have caused more and more anglers to use electric steer motors for their ability to utilize so many more features. Electric steer motors can be found mounted on the bow of almost every Walleye tournament angler's boat because of their versatility. Options like autopilot allow an angler to PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat