Power Pole Option or Not??

[Dan]

I'd love a power pole, but I just can't justify the expense in my case. However, I just saw this today and it may be something I will try. Cheap enough and if it holds in shallow water when I'm bed fishing it just might be a good alternative and at the very least it could be used as a push pole. What do you think?? Can you "Dig It?"  http://www.cabelas.com/product/Dig-IN-Anchor-Pole/1353174.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Ddig%2Bit%26x%3D-847%26y%3D-51%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=dig+it&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[Grinny]

I have a version of this on my boat and it works great, I have a bow bracket and one at the stern so depending on what way the wind is blowing I can choose what end to put the anchor pole in. I got mine from this site http://www.stickitanchorpins.com and I got the 8 foot version, I've had it for a year and it has been well worth the money for me.

[fishhound]

These are a good alternative for sure. I am fortunate enough to have dual poles but I still use a push pole in the front to mitigate any sway from the flex of the fiberglass spikes.

[Waterfoul]

Sure with I knew someone who worked at Cabelas and migh offer me a "Friends and family" discount.   

How does the bracket attach to the boat?  Not sure I'd want to drill holes and such.

[dartag]

Made my own for my Ranger.  I ordered a pole from Max Gain Systems.  Made the mount fit the trolling motor from PVC.  I use it in the spring for bed fishing.  I have photos somewhere on this site.

[Grinny]

Mine I had to drill into the boat to attach them.

[Dan]

I may know a guy that has a few Friends and Family invites for the 15-17th weekend. Crummy weekend for that event, but it is set chain wide.

I saw at Cabelas an end cap with a number of drift socks at almost 50% off.

[dartag]

I didn't like there front over the side mount.  Looked like it would get torn off pretty easy.  I did find a couple photos I shot before I cleaned it up.  I do remember the 8 foot rod was about 18.00 and the shipping was 20.00.  With the PVC I had less that 50.00 in the whole thing.  A 10 foot rod would be a little better. 

[Grinny]

I may know a guy that has a few Friends and Family invites for the 15-17th weekend. Crummy weekend for that event, but it is set chain wide.

I saw at Cabelas an end cap with a number of drift socks at almost 50% off.

I got one of their drift socks for my boat and it works great, deploys very quickly. I think I got the 44 inch size for $22 or $24.......

[Grinny]

I didn't like there front over the side mount.  Looked like it would get torn off pretty easy.  I did find a couple photos I shot before I cleaned it up.  I do remember the 8 foot rod was about 18.00 and the shipping was 20.00.  With the PVC I had less that 50.00 in the whole thing.  A 10 foot rod would be a little better. 

I agree about a 10 foot pole would be nice, especially when deploying from the bow, as you loose a lot of distance from where the mount is on the boat to the water.

[TimH]

Dan, thanks for starting this topic.  I have been looking for something very similar to put on my boat, and the one product I found was from a company down south called "The Wang Anchor."  Needless to say I was more than a little gunshy to put anything on my boat with that word on it.

[Dan]

I would really like to have a pair of power poles. After Marshaling numerous BASS events and watching how those guys use theirs, I would really like one or two. However, being poor the $1500 or so they want for one is hard for me to justify. I am leaning toward the http://www.stickitanchorpins.com type. It looks like they do away with even the need for a mount on the boat. The pole reminds me of those flimsy bamboo sticks the guys on TV stick in the mud and then hang alligator bait from. Always wondered about how such slim sticks hold those big gators. They use the Lions defensive strategy of bend but don't break. Wait a minute, maybe they didn't get that idea from the Lions.

[red68prostreet]

ok, here's the deal on shallow water anchors. It does not matter if you have a Talon or Power Pole. You need to have two because only having one is pain when the wind is blowing. The wind spins you around which in most cases puts your boat in the wrong position. Two anchors allow you to keep the boat in position. I have one Talon. I choose Talon because it is electric and does not require another oil reservoir inside the boat. I wish I had waited and talked to someone before getting one as I probably would have got two. I also wish I would have waited because they are now able to go 12 ft in depth.

Oh well one thing is certain. Technology is always advancing. I want to know who will have the first hovercraft bass boat.