--- title: The No Anchor Anchor description: By Captain Tom Van Horn Weigh the anchor for the last time as technology takes responsible recreational angling to a new level.  As anglers, enjoying and sharing our passions for […] --- - [Home](https://www.anglersforconservation.org) - Events Show submenu for Events - [🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Outreach Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs) - [🗓️ Events Calendar](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/events) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Bait & Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting) - [Knot Tying](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling) - [Know the Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish) - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Get Involved](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Work with Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/work-with-us) - [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer) - [Buy A license Plate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - [Create a Facebook Fundraiser](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - Giving Show submenu for Giving - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor) - [Become a Corporate Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/become-a-sponsor-0) - [Memorials & Tributes](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/memorials-tributes) - Abous Us Show submenu for Abous Us - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history) - [Blog](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1) - [Home](https://www.anglersforconservation.org) - Events Show submenu for Events - [🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Outreach Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs) - [🗓️ Events Calendar](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/events) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Bait & Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting) - [Knot Tying](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling) - [Know the Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish) - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Get Involved](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Work with Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/work-with-us) - [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer) - [Buy A license Plate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - [Create a Facebook Fundraiser](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - Giving Show submenu for Giving - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor) - [Become a Corporate Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/become-a-sponsor-0) - [Memorials & Tributes](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/memorials-tributes) - Abous Us Show submenu for Abous Us - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history) - [Blog](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1) [Fish & Fishing](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog/tag/fish-fishing) # The No Anchor Anchor [Carla Perscky](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog/author/carla-perscky) 14 September, 2025 ***By Captain Tom Van Horn*** Weigh the anchor for the last time as technology takes responsible recreational angling to a new level.  As anglers, enjoying and sharing our passions for fishing and the outdoors with others, we are often challenged by our own impacts on our fisheries and the marine environment, and in some ways we are threatened by our own actions. Our future enjoyment of the outdoor resources is in our hands as responsible recreational anglers, and the tools and skills we learn and practice are essential in carrying our sport and our enjoyment into the future. Have you heard the expression “best recreational fishing practices”? Well, best recreational fishing practices are the skills and ethics we learn and utilize, the tools we use, and the actions we take that help us decrease fish mortality, minimize our impacts on habitats and increase and maintain fish populations for future enjoyment.  Skills like de-hooking and venting fish, proper handling and releasing of fish and tools like circle hooks, de-hookers and barotrauma reversing fish release devices are all examples best recreational fishing practices. These tools, skills and practices are gaining popularity among concerned anglers and will become standard practices to anglers wishing to continue fishing in sensitive and threatened fisheries. What if I were to tell you there’s a new best recreational fishing practice that will not only minimize your impact on essential fish habitat, but also increase your efficiency and effectiveness in catching fish both inshore and offshore. Well there is, it’s called GPS positioning and anchoring.  No longer do you have to drop hook on your favorite offshore mark and hope that you’ve positioned your boat so the current and wind will carry you to the right fishing spot. No longer do you have the noise of your anchor sinking to the bottom and damaging sensitive bottom habitat and no longer do you have to be concerned with the wind and current drifting you off of your mark. Yes, I recently learned using a trolling motor with a GPS positioning component will help you catch more fish with no impact to reefs, bottom structure or sea grass beds. I recently upgraded my trolling motor to a Minn Kota® i-Pilot™ by Johnson Outdoors which utilizes GPS technology to automatically navigate and position the boat for anglers.  “This is a true breakthrough in trolling motor technology,” Minn Kota Product Manager Dave Maryanov said.  “What better way to keep you on fish than to have the trolling motor automatically position the boat for you.  This is the ultimate in hands-free operation.” The revolutionary Spot-Lock feature works like an electronic anchor, holding the boat in place.  If the boat drifts more than five feet from the Spot-Lock location, i-Pilot will activate the trolling motor to keep the angler on the designated spot.  It automatically corrects for wind, waves, current and drift.  The “recall” feature for Spot-Lock provides the ability to return to that specific location at a later time.  Up to six Spot-Lock locations can be stored at a time. Technology is a wonderful thing, and as a professional fishing guide, angler and conservationist I can attest that refitting my 17 year old Maverick Master Angler with a Minn Kota® i-Pilot™ is the best innovation I’ve seen and used in a lifetime of fishing. Visit Johnson Outdoors at  [http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com](http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com) to learn more and find the right Minn Kota® i-Pilot™ for your boat, and become a responsible angler. 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