A couple of very interesting developments are evolving around leader Ott DeFoe.
My first observation, which no one else but myself and Ott have noted, is the Minn Kota Fortrex feature called Spot Lock that is helping him tremendously.
As mentioned earlier it’s an electronic GPS anchor feature. Around DeFoe’s neck is a lanyard with a fob allowing him to press a button to activate the system. When he does the trolling motor keeps the boat on spot. While it does that DeFoe can leave the front deck, unhook and weigh the fish, and place it in the livewell. Then re-rig and get back to fishing.
Normally, and in the strong current where he’s fishing, DeFoe’s boat would drift downstream without power, costing him precious time in manuevering the boat back into position with the trolling motor. Now the boat stays put, allowing him to fire another cast right back into the strike zone.
What else we just learned is that DeFoe’s success isn’t so much about the lure, but how it’s rigged. Out of respect to DeFoe we’ll obviously defer to tomorrow when he shows us all the secret. What’s cool about it though, is DeFoe caught on to the technique by Mark Zona, who in turn found out about it from an old timer.
How cool this sport is for anglers to share knowledge. That’s what it’s all about and has been since B.A.S.S. started in 1968.