And while the PowerDrive is one of the most affordable models on the market, it still comes with the characteristic high end quality of a Minn Kota trolling motor. Minn Kota have been industry leaders ever since they invented the first electric trolling motor in 1934. Our verdict: The Minn Kota PowerDrive is the best anchor lock trolling motor on a budget Dual 24V/36V voltage compatibility Minn Kota PowerDrive.Gas shock lift assist feature on the mount.Also, unlike the Garmin Force, it doesn’t have a 1200 kilohertz UHD frequency. The latter comes with CHIRP in the regular 2D sonar, but not in the down scan and side scan imaging sonar.
Also the button for engaging the prop can be quickly moved from side to side, making it easier to switch over from a Minn Kota or PowerGuide pedal.Īnd finally, the Ghost comes with a standard Lowrance HDI transducer, which can be replaced with a more powerful 3-in-1 active imaging transducer. With 120 lb thrust, the Ghost also has the highest thrust rating of all motors we tested, making it more reliable than all other models, and is capable of holding anchor lock position accurately with a fully loaded boat, even in strong wind or current.Īnother great feature of the Ghost is that it gives you the ability to program two custom buttons on its foot pedal, which you can use for anything you want (for example, for creating waypoints, or for controlling your shallow water anchors). This means that you can adjust the thrust of the Ghost simply by changing the voltage of the battery (24V generates 97 lb thrust, and 36V generates 120 lb thrust). The Ghost can be used either with a 24V or 36V battery system, making it more versatile in terms of power supply than other trolling motors. This makes the Ghost more efficient in open water, and gives it extra power when driving through weeds. With a brushless motor, most of the power is transferred directly to turning the prop, since there is less internal resistance. In case you’ve ever tried a brushless drill, you’ll understand what I mean. So what’s so good about the Ghost? In short, it can do everything the Ultrex can, but in addition brings a whole set of new capabilities to the table.įirst of all, the Ghost comes with a brushless motor, making it a lot quieter (which explains its name), as well as stronger and more efficient. When the Lowrance Ghost came out in 2019, it challenged the market dominating position of the Minn Kota Ultrex, which had been the industry standard until then. Our verdict: The Lowrance Ghost is the best spot lock trolling motor overall Now let’s dive into the details, and take a closer look at each of these models. My team and I tested 6 of these models on our own boats, and for the remaining 2 we surveyed other boat owners to get the most important insights for you.
The table above compares the most important specs and features of the best anchor lock trolling motors in 2022. What is the best spot lock trolling motor in 2022? Model Image Thrust Voltage Shaft length Built-in transducer Sonar compatibility Verdict Lowrance Ghost 97 or 120 lb Dual 24V/36V 47", 52", or 60" Yes Lowrance Best overall performance Minn Kota PowerDrive 45, 55, or 70 lb 12V or 24V 48", 54", or 60" No N/A Best budget option Garmin Force 80 or 100 lb Dual 24V/36V 50" or 57" Yes Garmin Best runner up Minn Kota Ultrex 80 or 112 lb 24V or 36V 45", 52", or 60" Yes Humminbird Best value for money MotorGuide Xi5 55, 80, or 105 lb 12V, 24V, or 36V 48", 54", 60", or 72" Yes Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird Best freshwater option Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 55, 80, or 112 lb 12V, 24V, or 36V 54", 60", 72", or 87" Yes Humminbird Best saltwater option Haswing Cayman 55 or 80 lb 12V or 24V 48", 54", or 60" No N/A Best runner up budget option MotorGuide Xi3 (36") 55 lb 12V 36" No N/A Best option for kayak In this article we’ll cover the 9 best spot lock trolling motors in 2022, and will discuss their strengths and weaknesses, so you can decide which one is right for you.
In other words, a GPS anchor can hold your boat in position accurately, while you’re free to focus on other things.īut if you’re thinking about getting a trolling motor with spot lock, it’s essential to know what to look for in the top performing models currently available, and how to choose the right one. He later attributed his victory to the fact that the GPS anchor lock of his Ultrex allowed him to fish close to a spillway without having to pay attention to boat control.
Spot lock has revolutionized the world of recreational fishing, ever since bass pro Ott Defoe won the Bass Elite Series Tournament 2016 in La Crosse with a Minn Kota Ultrex. 9 Best Anchor Lock Trolling Motors (2022 Buyer’s Guide)