Talons / power poles / anchors

[DB-fish]

Are power pole/ talons worth the money in a tournament or should i just buy an anchor.

 

any anchor recommendations?

[Dwight Hottle]

It depends upon your budget. If your a hard core shallow water bass fisherman then yes. You can also use a spot lock feature trolling motor to hold you in place. If you don't have either an old fashioned anchor will get the job done. Mushroom style for muddy bottoms & danforth style for big water & rock. 

 

[DB-fish]

My budget is $600

[12poundbass]

Well it looks like you're stuck with an anchor and rope then. It works just fine.

[DB-fish]

Any model recommendations 

If i was to up my budget should i get a talon or a power pole

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, DB-fish said:

Are talons worth the money ?

Yes.

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

Power poles are very effiencent anchoring system if the depth of water you are fishing is shallow enough for the poles to anchor the boat. When bass are shallow along the shore during the spawn power poles are essential tool for the tournament bass angler. Anchor and rope work but messy and inconvenient.

Tom

[detroit1]

Are power poles / talons worth the money? No.  Don't believe me..ask someone that has them. The honest ones will say they hardly use it for fishing, but will use it at the ramp or when they stop to eat lunch. It's just jewelry for your boat. Just like tackle. People that own $300 + rods will swear by them. What are they gonna say...they spent $300 on junk? Rods/ reels / lures.....they are just tools. It's not how much they cost, it's if you know how to use them.  Do you need a gold plated hammer?  I just hope that the newbies out there don't think that NEED expensive tackle to catch bass. It may enhance your experiences, but you don't need a #400 rod/reel outfit to have fun.

[lo n slo]

oh boy

[12poundbass]

6 hours ago, DB-fish said:

Any model recommendations 

If i was to up my budget should i get a talon or a power pole

You would almost have to triple your budget.

[webertime]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F142161514206

 

Get a push in anchor or 2...  see if you'd use them.  If you do use them and wish it were faster to use...  save up for poles.  If you just drive around with these, the you answered your question. 

[sully420]

I don't have power poles yet but they are on my list. I can think of hundreds on times on the water when they would help. Sight fishing, skipping docks, flipping grass in the wind, i think stealth is really important when fishing shallow and the ability to drift silently and pp down and fish an area with out being on the tm all the time will put more fish in the boat. Yea there expensive and look cool but they definitely have a purpose.

[TOXIC]

I was a doubter on the need for poles.  While I will admit they are waaaaay overpriced, I am now a believer in their usefulness.  Since I held off, my fishing partner had a pair fairly quickly.  We fish the Potomac and use them every trip (not at the ramp).  They are a tool to hold you in current and specific depths. We have used them every year on our trip to St Clair since he has had them.  They actually saved the trip last year when we were fishing in very strong winds.  My other buddy who did not have poles tried an anchor and it just did not work.  He almost could not fish.  We would put the nose downwind. anchor with the poles and fan cast the area.  When we wanted to move we ould lift the poles, let the wind push us ahead, drop the poles and fancast again.  I quickly realized that they are not a gimmick and a very useful tool.  Those that buy them for the "cool" factor may not need them but I saw the benefit first hand over a long period of time.  I bit the bullet last year and went as cheap as possible but still spent a good chunk of change outfitting my boat with 2 8 foot Powerpoles.  How did I go cheap?  First I bought a pair of Gen 1 poles lightly used ($2,200).  Gen 1's are not Bluetooth compatible (I can add that option for $250 and a unit that sits on the pump) so I had to pull wires for my foot switches at the bow and my panel switch on the console.  I don't have the "double tap" or remote options that automatically raises and lowers the poles, I have to keep my foot on the switch.    I also had to fab a mounting plate for the pumps and run the lines.  I also had to buy mounting brackets for my Jackplate ($200).  As in most things there are costs built into a base price and one of those things is Customer Service.  Powerpole has a VERY generous customer service policy and I feel that's where some of the higher price comes from.  As an aside, my partner also has an Ultrex with spot lock.  Also a useful upgrade for a TM but not a replacement for poles.  I won't own another boat without some type of shallow water anchor system Powerpoles/Talon's or whatever may hit the market to compete in the future.  

[gim]

I have one 12 foot talon and it does serve a purpose.  One will not hold my boat in a precise location if there's wind/current though.  Its more of a "pivot point."  Two works better than one.  If the Ultrex had been introduced with upgraded spot lock when I was buying my boat in 2015, I would have just got that instead.  The difference between power pole and talon is the way they operate.  Power pole operates like a crab leg on hydraulics/pumps and the talon is strictly a vertical deployment via battery power.  I do believe that Minnkota just introduced a 15 foot version of the talon too.

[Lendiesel22]

I just got a 10ft talon and it's a great tool in current, shallow vegetation, and wind. I fished without for the previous 2 seasons and wish I hadn't. I also noticed it allows me to slow down big time and go to work. Super handy when 75 boats are all running around in the dark as well. I'm just sittin.....relaxin while everyone else is stressin. 

[Pro Logcatcher]

The problem with power poles is that one doesn't really work too well. You will spin around and it is a little inconvenient. They are extremely expensive, though.

[Glenn]

On 4/17/2018 at 8:53 AM, DB-fish said:

My budget is $600

With that in mind, the Power-Pole Heavy-duty Spike is the answer. This spike comes in 8.5 ft. and delivers a powerful hold for flats boats, bay boats, bass boats, aluminum boats and pontoon boats. Pair it with the Micro Driver for an electric-powered, silent anchor system powerful enough to hold your boat, and works like the more expensive poles everyone here is talking about, but at an affordable price.

 

The driver is $595, the Spike is $89, and right now, there's a $100 rebate when you buy both - which means it's right within your budget!

 

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/spikes

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/micro/

[LoweStinger]

9 hours ago, Glenn said:

With that in mind, the Power-Pole Heavy-duty Spike is the answer. This spike comes in 8.5 ft. and delivers a powerful hold for flats boats, bay boats, bass boats, aluminum boats and pontoon boats. Pair it with the Micro Driver for an electric-powered, silent anchor system powerful enough to hold your boat, and works like the more expensive poles everyone here is talking about, but at an affordable price.

 

The driver is $595, the Spike is $89, and right now, there's a $100 rebate when you buy both - which means it's right within your budget!

 

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/spikes

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/micro/

WOW that's a great option !! I have a 17' aluminum bass boat I think this would be perfect for !! Thanks for posting this. How do the 2 of them work together though ?

[Glenn]

The Spike fits in the Micro Driver. The Micro Driver is what makes it go up and down. It even comes with a remote.

 

Here's how it works:

 

 

[RockvilleMDAngler]

I have one power pole and it works great. I fish the Potomac regularly and the power pole is a life saver when the wind is blowing, when you need to retie, and when you are trying to stay in one area and cover it thoroughly. I would love a second but I cannot justify it for the money. 

[LoweStinger]

1 hour ago, Glenn said:

The Spike fits in the Micro Driver. The Micro Driver is what makes it go up and down. It even comes with a remote.

 

Here's how it works:

 

 

Ohhh... I didn't realize they were sold separate... Thanks for the video !!

[Logan S]

I went without poles/talons for a long time, I did just fine.  You obviously don't NEED them for anything...But now that I have 2 poles I can't imagine not having them.  They are useful for so many things and provide a huge advantage is so many situations.  

 

It'd be nice if they cheaper, but that's sort of obvious...I wish my boat, tackle, electronics, truck, and everything else were cheaper too.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Anyone who says they are not worth the money or are not useful has never had them. I have dual poles and will NEVER own another boat without them. Especially here in FL with almost all shallow fishing.  

[Glenn]

13 hours ago, LoweStinger said:

Ohhh... I didn't realize they were sold separate... Thanks for the video !!

That way, it's customizable for your exactly your needs.

[fissure_man]

On ‎4‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 11:59 PM, Glenn said:

With that in mind, the Power-Pole Heavy-duty Spike is the answer. This spike comes in 8.5 ft. and delivers a powerful hold for flats boats, bay boats, bass boats, aluminum boats and pontoon boats. Pair it with the Micro Driver for an electric-powered, silent anchor system powerful enough to hold your boat, and works like the more expensive poles everyone here is talking about, but at an affordable price.

 

The driver is $595, the Spike is $89, and right now, there's a $100 rebate when you buy both - which means it's right within your budget!

 

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/spikes

http://www.power-pole.com/products/shallow-water-anchors/micro/

According to those links the HD spike is suitable for flats boats, bass boats, etc., presumably when used as a stand alone "stake out" spike.  Unless I'm reading it wrong, the micro driver unit itself is still only recommended for boats up to 1500 lbs (total weight of boat + motor + passengers + gear).  Anyone have experience with one of these on a big-ish boat?