Are Power Poles for Me? Is the Cost Worth It?

The whole Power Pole phenomenon grew out of the need to anchor a boat quickly and easily, in relatively shallow water. Traditionally, flats-boat anglers did this by shoving their push-pole into the bottom and tying off the boat. That method works well, for sure, but isn't exactly quick or easy. With a Power Pole, this same tactic is reduced simply to pushing a button. The pole automatically pushes itself down and can anchor your boat in waters up to 10 feet deep.

The first downside to a Power Pole is the steep cost; it can run into the thousands of dollars. Another downside is that an undeployed Power Pole becomes another obstacle to the backseater trying to cast and retrieve his line. He/she already has to deal with the outboard.

What about the upsides?

As one Power Poles owner explained, "Loading and unloading my boat has been made significantly easier with them. I fish by myself a lot, so after I back my trailer down, all I have to do is hop in my boat, back it off, and immediately deploy the Power-Pole Blades at the ramp. Then I get out, park the truck, while my boat waits for me, all ready to go. No more digging through my compartments, looking for that mildew-covered anchor rope."

Another time when Power Poles pay for themselves is when you're fishing a big tournament (say 150 boats or more), with only a little space available to dock your boat for registration. If you have a pair of Blades, all you have to do is "nose in" at the first tiny hole you find at the dock, or for that matter, along a bare bank, set the Blades, go take care of your vehicle, and walk back to your boat, knowing it will be there when you return...well, most of the time, anyway. There seems to be exceptions to everything, as evidenced in the short video you will see after clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1JLK8rdIxQ.

Yet another upside to having Power Poles is the freedom from rushing that you have when retying a lure or picking out a bird's next, especially on a windy day. You no longer have to worry about running your boat into a tree or the shoreline with the trolling motor while trying to look up and down at the same time. And, too, Power Poles give you the luxury of methodically working over a windblown area, without ever having to bump the trolling motor even once.

One more thing to consider here is that, given the reduced number of distractions you'll have on every trip, it's entirely possible you'll start catching more fish. After all, concentration is a large part of the game.

So now we're back to that original downside: the cost of Power Poles, and whether they really are worth it. Individual anglers have to decide for themselves whether catching more fish is worth the additional expense. Tournament anglers, as well as charter guides, embrace Power Poles, because catching more fish is a matter of business. For them, the decision is a no-brainer. For everyone else, it should be food for thought.