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Was thinking about perching tomorrow but my battery situation for the Minn Kota isn’t ideal.  I understand spot lock hasn’t been around all that long but does the Cal River current make things too difficult for anchoring to be worth it?  How much would I be disarming myself without spot lock in there?  Planning on launching out of Hammond if the situation is viable.

Since I purchased my Terrova three years ago, spot lock is the only way to go.
Current fluctuates. Today current was light most of the day. Did increase for a short time.
Not 100% sure if anchoring in the river is allowed? Never researched it.
Many large ships and barges run the river. Might be difficult to have an anchor set and retrieve it when a ship approaches. Week days and Saturdays I find ship traffic pretty constant. Sundays seem non existing 90% of the time. We had to move from center of river four times today.
Just be safe out there without spot lock. It's hard not to get out there and fish for those yellow bandits.

The Coast Guard could probably answer your question regarding the anchor, I believe that because the river itself is a working shipping lane, anchoring would probably be prohibited. If nothing else I would not feel comfortable anchoring due to ships moving around and they can sneak up on you pretty fast and quietly. Hope this helps and good fishing.