Power Poles 8 or 10ft

[dougie511]

yo been a while since ive posted on here but I have now purchased my first bass boat as of about a year ago and the more time goes on i want some power poles.......a lot of you will be like ya duh dont we all lol! But my main concern is what size to get either the 8 or 10 ft? i have a ranger 185svs with a yamaha 150. i do a lot of flipping and most time im looking 6-8 feet of water but sometimes i do end up in more just kind of depends on the lake. i dont wanna have 10ft poles and realize they are to big for a 18.5 ft boat and everything ive read on here ive only seen the battle between power poles and talons or people saying it depends on the water level you fish the most. Another concern also is does it effect the boat ride/performance at all? Thanks for the time and i hope to get some good advice!

[Junk Fisherman]

They are about a 6 lb difference.  If you are going with 2 PPs that is around 70 lbs.  Yeah, you might see a mph or so off your top speed.  That is definitely worth it.

Get the 10s and never wonder.  Sure, 8s might work 90% of the time but why mess with it?

[A-Jay]

I went with 12ft Talons ~

A-Jay

[dougie511]

32 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

They are about a 6 lb difference.  If you are going with 2 PPs that is around 70 lbs.  Yeah, you might see a mph or so off your top speed.  That is definitely worth it.

Get the 10s and never wonder.  Sure, 8s might work 90% of the time but why mess with it?

Ya and that was my thoughts also about the 10s is why not just get the 10s but I also didn't know about performance and if they are to big for a 18.5 ft boat but 1 mph or so I can def deal with because I have never heard a bad thing about them or talons I've always read it's better to have one than none so I might just start with one. Not really sure yet though but thanks! 

24 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I went with 12ft Talons ~

A-Jay

How do you like the talons? And have you ever used power poles? 

[A-Jay]

Just now, dougie511 said:

How do you like the talons? And have you ever used power poles? 

Can't say, the boat is being delivered this week - never used power poles either.

A-Jay

[Junk Fisherman]

I have a 12' Talon and while I love it, the PP does seem quieter and it's a lot lighter.  I never even considered the PP when I purchased but knowing what I know now I would look closely at the PP.  One major negative about the Talon is how ridiculously expensive all the brackets and accessories are.  $50-$60 for a lock?  $200+ for a tilt bracket?  They really stick it to you.  

And I have 1 and do just fine.  You just have to play the wind and realize where your boat is going to swing to.  One is definitely worth the money. I haven't considered spending another 2K for a second.  

[dougie511]

6 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I have a 12' Talon and while I love it, the PP does seem quieter and it's a lot lighter.  I never even considered the PP when I purchased but knowing what I know now I would look closely at the PP.  One major negative about the Talon is how ridiculously expensive all the brackets and accessories are.  $50-$60 for a lock?  $200+ for a tilt bracket?  They really stick it to you.  

And I have 1 and do just fine.  You just have to play the wind and realize where your boat is going to swing to.  One is definitely worth the money. I haven't considered spending another 2K for a second.  

See and thats what ive also read on a lot of different forums is that a couple people have actually gone to only one instead of two because they can use that to there advantage in some points of fishing but i for sure just want to start with 1 and then if i feel necessary get another one later down the road and i like that power pole when deployed moves out of the way for whoever fishes in the back because a lot of the time i have someone back there but even with only one i feel like to control the boat it will still be a million times easier with one than having none lol and i cant justify dropping coin on two at the same time haha

[Junk Fisherman]

Good plan.  And it you are only getting 1 PP, the weight is nothing.  30 lbs  You won't be able to tell any performance difference.  

[Josh_Bovaird]

I ended up going with 2 12ft talons and have been happy with them.  I shopped around and price matched them, with the 100$ rebate going on I paid about 1400$ each

[spartyon8]

I have a 6' talon on mine and wish I would have doubled that. I got it new for $350, so I guess I can't complain too much. I use it a ton and I primarily flip and pitch near shore anyway.

[dougie511]

8 hours ago, spartyon8 said:

I have a 6' talon on mine and wish I would have doubled that. I got it new for $350, so I guess I can't complain too much. I use it a ton and I primarily flip and pitch near shore anyway.

I also do a lot of pitchin and flipping that's why I want to get one so bad because a majority of the time I'm in the shallows lol 

[gim]

Something that no one has mentioned on this thread but I've read before on others many times is whether or not the boat has room in the rear for the pump and hydraulic hoses that is required for a power pole (or 2 of them).  If there's no room, then the only option is the talon.  Both are going to be expensive regardless.

[warrior1]

I have an 8' Power Pole that came with the boat when I bought it and it's good for anything up to 7'.  Just by where it's placed, you automatically lose a foot to a foot and a half.  I was the first to have a power pole in the club, but another member just got the 12 Talon and loves it.  He fishes big time tournaments as well and he said it paid for itself in a couple of times out.  In our meeting last night, several guys were discussing getting one or the other, but the one common thread was how Talon dings you for everything.

I would have got the 10' if I bought it originally, and based on the customer service of Power Pole, I would stick with them.  I bought my boat used and the power pole met be at least 6 years old, but they helped me diagnose a problem and sent me the part I needed for free.

[drc9805]

While I was reading this I started wondering if the new trolling motors that will anchor you in place will eliminate the need for PP's or Talon's... what's your thoughts?

[Tracker22]

11 minutes ago, drc9805 said:

While I was reading this I started wondering if the new trolling motors that will anchor you in place will eliminate the need for PP's or Talon's... what's your thoughts?

I think not. While the GPS trolling motors are very nice, they still drift. The PPs/Talons are rock solid.

[EllisJuan]

1 hour ago, drc9805 said:

While I was reading this I started wondering if the new trolling motors that will anchor you in place will eliminate the need for PP's or Talon's... what's your thoughts?

I am sure the PP or Talon's would lock my boat into position firmer, but my Xi5 with Anchor mode is pretty incredible.  I have an 80 pound model and it holds my 17' Tracker within about 5' against as strong of a wind as I would say is fishable.  Good enough for me.  The heading hold setting is also pretty awesome.  Just point it down a shore line, set the speed and fish.

[stfreed]

They will absolutely affect top end. I have one Talon 8' three stage and love it but won't get a second due to the top end loss! About 3 mph. It is nearly like having another person on board. 71 lbs with Shortest Talon they make and bracket.

And keep in mind you subtract about a foot for the depth it will hold your boat in. So 10' pole = 9' real world depth it will hold you in. 8' pole = 7' hold 

[junyer357]

Ive fished out of boats with both. Both seem to hold the boat just fine. Yes pp drops out of way but after a lil bit of time on one with talons you get used to them and they dont really bother you.  

In regards to the tm's wiith spot lock, one thing to also consider is when conditions push you into the bank you are fishing it will spin tm around and throw propwash right in there. 

Most guys ive been fishing with will often just point boat where they want to go after coming off plane, coast in unpowered, and drop pp down to stop them and never lower tm. Great stealth for finicky and spooky shallow fish. 

[drc9805]

I'm sure another negative to just using a trolling motor anchor could be the continual noise of the prop especially if it's a little breezy out. 

[EllisJuan]

Trolling motor with Anchor mode is certainly no replacement for a shallow water anchor system.  It is not a bad alternative for someone who does not want the few negative of a pole or talon.

[Glenn]

@dougie511 I have the 8' Blades and use them every time I go out, whether or not I'm flippin and pitchin.  Seriously, I was surprised how much I use them.  From stopping while retying, to holding the boat at the dock, to stopping asap for various reasons (like fish!), they're very useful.

I've noticed my 8' poles are useful to about 6 1/2'.  They'll work in deeper water, but it depends on bottom makeup and wind/current conditions on whether they'll hold or not.

My boat performance really hasn't changed, other than my hole shot is a wee bit longer.  Top end speed didn't change.  I do have more backwash to consider when coming off plane, but I have the older-style brackets. The newer ones don't do that, I understand.

[gulfcaptain]

On 5/15/2016 at 6:42 PM, A-Jay said:

I went with 12ft Talons ~

A-Jay

I did this just to have the extra 4ft of pole in a 4ft housing.  Yes spent the money on a fold down bracket as well and WILL be purchasing another one hopefully next year.  I use it shallow, I use in in 11ft of water.  Makes life easy when you're fishing a hump or offshore point sitting in 10ft of water and able to work the edges without having to worry about constantly keeping your boat in position.  Also all contained so no extra equipment to figure out where to store, just plug and go.  Fished a tournament last weekend and I used them A LOT.  Makes windy days and current less of a hassle to fish as well and makes getting out of tight spots really easy when you drop the Talon and spin the bow with the trolling motor as well.

[A-Jay]

On ‎5‎/‎21‎/‎2016 at 7:04 PM, gulfcaptain said:

I did this just to have the extra 4ft of pole in a 4ft housing.  Yes spent the money on a fold down bracket as well and WILL be purchasing another one hopefully next year.  I use it shallow, I use in in 11ft of water.  Makes life easy when you're fishing a hump or offshore point sitting in 10ft of water and able to work the edges without having to worry about constantly keeping your boat in position.  Also all contained so no extra equipment to figure out where to store, just plug and go.  Fished a tournament last weekend and I used them A LOT.  Makes windy days and current less of a hassle to fish as well and makes getting out of tight spots really easy when you drop the Talon and spin the bow with the trolling motor as well.

Yup - the 12ft double stick show is about as good as it gets. I have the tilt brackets as well - offers the ultimate in versatility.

A-Jay

[slonezp]

On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 0:12 PM, drc9805 said:

While I was reading this I started wondering if the new trolling motors that will anchor you in place will eliminate the need for PP's or Talon's... what's your thoughts?

I have both on my boat. Ipilot link and a talon. One does not replace the other. The spot lock is a great tool for offshore fishing and fishing in current but there is too much "play" (for lack of a better word) in it to be feasible as a shallow water anchor. From what I have read, the MotorGuide GPS motors are better at keeping the boat on spot, but the motor is constantly adjusting. I use the Talon more for panfish than I do bass. I use the spot lock on the Ipilot mostly when I am fishing river current for walleye and white bass

[dougie511]

On May 17, 2016 at 11:06 AM, warrior1 said:

I have an 8' Power Pole that came with the boat when I bought it and it's good for anything up to 7'.  Just by where it's placed, you automatically lose a foot to a foot and a half.  I was the first to have a power pole in the club, but another member just got the 12 Talon and loves it.  He fishes big time tournaments as well and he said it paid for itself in a couple of times out.  In our meeting last night, several guys were discussing getting one or the other, but the one common thread was how Talon dings you for everything.

I would have got the 10' if I bought it originally, and based on the customer service of Power Pole, I would stick with them.  I bought my boat used and the power pole met be at least 6 years old, but they helped me diagnose a problem and sent me the part I needed for free.

You can never beat customer service that's for sure!! 

On May 17, 2016 at 2:20 PM, EllisJuan said:

I am sure the PP or Talon's would lock my boat into position firmer, but my Xi5 with Anchor mode is pretty incredible.  I have an 80 pound model and it holds my 17' Tracker within about 5' against as strong of a wind as I would say is fishable.  Good enough for me.  The heading hold setting is also pretty awesome.  Just point it down a shore line, set the speed and fish.

Sounds awesome 

On May 20, 2016 at 10:04 AM, Glenn said:

@dougie511 I have the 8' Blades and use them every time I go out, whether or not I'm flippin and pitchin.  Seriously, I was surprised how much I use them.  From stopping while retying, to holding the boat at the dock, to stopping asap for various reasons (like fish!), they're very useful.

I've noticed my 8' poles are useful to about 6 1/2'.  They'll work in deeper water, but it depends on bottom makeup and wind/current conditions on whether they'll hold or not.

My boat performance really hasn't changed, other than my hole shot is a wee bit longer.  Top end speed didn't change.  I do have more backwash to consider when coming off plane, but I have the older-style brackets. The newer ones don't do that, I understand.

Awesome! Sounds good and thank you for the help! 

On May 21, 2016 at 7:04 PM, gulfcaptain said:

I did this just to have the extra 4ft of pole in a 4ft housing.  Yes spent the money on a fold down bracket as well and WILL be purchasing another one hopefully next year.  I use it shallow, I use in in 11ft of water.  Makes life easy when you're fishing a hump or offshore point sitting in 10ft of water and able to work the edges without having to worry about constantly keeping your boat in position.  Also all contained so no extra equipment to figure out where to store, just plug and go.  Fished a tournament last weekend and I used them A LOT.  Makes windy days and current less of a hassle to fish as well and makes getting out of tight spots really easy when you drop the Talon and spin the bow with the trolling motor as well.

Pretty slick idea to drop one in a tight spot to turn around!