Nitro Z18 power pole

[Zach Painter]

Hey guys I got a 2019 Nitro Z18. It has the  mercury 175 pro Xs. I don’t have the jack plate but wanted to do dual power poles. Anyone else install dual power poles with no jack plate? Wonder how hard it is. Thanks 

[Shimano_1]

I haven't but I've studied on it and cple of buddies running talons. I think it would be a lot easier to add a Jack plate. I've pondered adding then to my aluminum Triton but dont wanna mount them to the hull so I'd add the Jack plate if I decided to do em. 

[Logan S]

Not 100% sure, but I think you can still use the sandwich-style bracket between the outboard and the hull without having a jackplate.  

 

But that requires removing the outboard to install - And if you're removing the outboard anyway, you may consider adding a jackplate while you're at it - And if you add a jackplate, you may consider using the standard jackplate mounts for the poles.  

 

...So I guess my answer is Yes but it sort of turns into mounting them on a jackplate anyway, sorry ?

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

It does NOT require removing the outboard. 
 

You can put the sandwich brackets between the outboard and the transom without completely removing the motor.

 

You can trim the motor down on to a jack with a piece of wood on it and then loosen the motor bolts. Take the bolts off only on one side and then slide the sandwich mount in and replace the bolts and nuts. Repeat on the other side. 
 

I would suggest you have a buddy help you just to balance the motor and to hand tools.

 

I did it by myself on my boat in about an hour. Only took me so long because the top motor bolts on the R70 require a contortion act to get to.

[Russ E]

Since your boat is a 2019,I would contact mercury if you plan on using sandwich style brackets. 

when I wanted to do that 2 years ago, Mercury said it would void the warranty.

[Dirtyeggroll]

23 minutes ago, Russ E said:

Since your boat is a 2019,I would contact mercury if you plan on using sandwich style brackets. 

when I wanted to do that 2 years ago, Mercury said it would void the warranty.

This is also true! My motor is out of warranty (2002).

[Zach Painter]

Thanks guys I appreciate your input, will go a step further. Currently running the minn Kota fortrex (cause that’s what came on the boat) I’m a lowrance guy. Would it just be better off getting the new ghost with spot lock over getting power poles?

[Russ E]

1 hour ago, Zach Painter said:

Thanks guys I appreciate your input, will go a step further. Currently running the minn Kota fortrex (cause that’s what came on the boat) I’m a lowrance guy. Would it just be better off getting the new ghost with spot lock over getting power poles?

It depends on where you are fishing.

I don't have power poles. I do have a Minn Kota Ultrex (I am a Minn Kota guy).

I use spotlock a lot. One place it does not work well is in very shallow water. It stirs up the bottom while holding position.

I am not sitting in shallow water very often, so it is usually not an issue for me.

 

Winter is the one time of year power poles would be nice.

I fish the heated discharge water at a power plant lake. The bass often hangout in super shallow warm water. I run the trolling motor as high as it will go without blowing out. If I do try to use spotlock it just stirs up mud. 

 

[Jig Man]

9 hours ago, Zach Painter said:

Thanks guys I appreciate your input, will go a step further. Currently running the minn Kota fortrex (cause that’s what came on the boat) I’m a lowrance guy. Would it just be better off getting the new ghost with spot lock over getting power poles?

I put power poles on my boat when it was new.  It turns out that I had very limited use for them.  When I got a trolling motor with spot lock I had no use for them so I sold them.

 

My recommendation is to change trolling motors or get a bird that works with the fortrex.  They are heavy enough to change the balance of your boat as well as take up room with the pumps.  Just my 2 cents.

[Dirtyeggroll]

10 hours ago, Zach Painter said:

Thanks guys I appreciate your input, will go a step further. Currently running the minn Kota fortrex (cause that’s what came on the boat) I’m a lowrance guy. Would it just be better off getting the new ghost with spot lock over getting power poles?

I have poles and spot lock and fish equal amounts of shallow and deep water.

 

I use the spot lock way more. 
 

Most of my shallow water fishing is “power fishing” meaning 3-4 casts to a spot at max, then keep moving, not really requiring the use of the poles.

 

Honestly, I use the poles mostly for anchoring at the boat ramp. That being said, I do use them enough to find them worth keeping.

 

If I had to choose I would 100% go spotlock. If you don’t already have it, I would suggest you go that route first.

[Zach Painter]

Thanks guys. That’s what I’ve heard is get spot lock first. I mainly fish shallow but getting into fishing deeper so I think spot lock would be better. Going to table rock in April for the first time so wish me luck. Any advice of best place to start? 

[Jig Man]

14 minutes ago, Zach Painter said:

Thanks guys. That’s what I’ve heard is get spot lock first. I mainly fish shallow but getting into fishing deeper so I think spot lock would be better. Going to table rock in April for the first time so wish me luck. Any advice of best place to start? 

There are very few places on Table Rock where poles would be of much use, however, there are thousands where spot lock will be beneficial.

 

What part of Table Rock (it is a good sized lake with 1000 miles of shore line)?  You can run 50 miles up 3 different tributaries from the dam.

 

When in April?

 

Do you like main lake or river fishing?

[Zach Painter]

I plan on going April 8-12. I like main lake. Not much of a river fisherman 

[Zach Painter]

I’ve never been there before. So looking for suggestions on where my most success would be 

[Dirtyeggroll]

I’d suggest to check out the Ozark Anglers Forum. 
 

http://forums.ozarkanglers.com/forum/5-table-rock-lake/

 

For some reason, Table Rock is known as a great fishery, when in fact it can be very difficult to catch many fish over 15”. 
 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Table Rock in April can be a blast. We had our club Classic there a couple years ago end of March/beginning of April and won it throwing underspins and jerkbaits with low 30's for 2 day total and BB for both days over 4. Big fish live there, you just have to fish for them differently a lot of the time. We fished around KC and Aunt's Creek areas.

[Jig Man]

Kimberling City or the Aunt’s Creek give you access to the whole lake with a few miles of driving.  One can’t predict what part will be the hottest this far in advance.  From Aunt’s Creek to Baxter to the dam is generally clear water.  Above them up the White, James or Kings river arms one might find less clear water.

 

Along with Ozark Anglers there is a guide by the name of Eric Prey who gives frequent reports on where and how he is catching fish.   You may want to keep up with both beginning in March.

 

BTW. Where will you be coming from?

 

[Zach Painter]

I’m coming out of northeast Nebraska 

[John O]

Power Pole makes transom mounts for just about every application. Down here (FLA) there lots of center console boats with transom mounted power poles...

[rangerjockey]

 I live on Table Rock and really I can't see much use for poles other than bed fishing . In April there should be some fish up.

 If we get our traditional spring rains there should be some water in the bushes which will help the topwater bite and usually gives us a bit of a flipping deal. Personally I like the James river.

[OnthePotomac]

I would think a any BPS Nitro rigger could help with this.