Truth be known, I prefer the front of the boat on inland lakes and the back
of the boat on bigger water. Why? Because on big water, the person up front
spends 50% of their time trying to maintain boat control. One reason why I
have beaten every boater I have ever fished with on the Great Lakes. The
poor guy is continuously working the troll motor while trying to fish at the
same time. Even with drift socks, the person up front is working the troll
motor to help hold the drift line (or path). Being in the back, I get to
focus 100% on fishing. It's kind of unfair for the boater.

On inland lakes, I like being in control and having first crack at all the
fish. I also like to position a boat a bit further off shore than most
people (typically about 60-feet), or right in the middle of narrower
cannels. I also like to follow main river channel breaklines, where a lot
of anglers simply follow the shoreline. I also like having my troll motor
set on the lowest setting I can get away with to maintain boat position, so
I can fish a spot slowly and thoroughly. Being primarily a tubebait and
jig-n-pig angler, slow works better for me. I think too many anglers spook
their fish by having the their troll motor set too high and the fact that
they stop and start their motors, instead of maintaining a very slow but
steady pace.

When would I prefer to be in the back of the boat on inland lakes? yeah, on
windy days where the wind is pushing the boat around badly. Its like being
on big water, being up front means spending a great deal of your time
holding position so the guy in the back of the boat can out fish you.

--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!