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Started By
Message
re: One, two or no power pole
Posted on 6/24/22 at 8:59 am to YourHuckleberry
Posted on 6/24/22 at 8:59 am to YourHuckleberry
I’ve never fished with one. Does the spot lock just maintain you at a spot or can it maintain your location and boat direction/heading?
1
Posted on 6/24/22 at 9:12 am to YourHuckleberry
quote:
8-12 ft water is likely too deep for poles, although I think they have their place.
Spot lock trolling motor is your best option. You don’t need “I-pilot” but you do need a trolling motor with spot lock. I-pilot adds additional functionality that you won’t need, so look for a more affordable version that has spot lock (anchor mode for a trolling motor).
Power poles have an advantage to spot lock at times. In shallow water, the continuous on and off of the trolling motor while in locked mode can really churn up a muddy bottom and cloud your water. It also can spook certain nervous trout at times, especially when it is fighting the wind and chop. And it can eat up your battery at the end of the day, so a power pole can save your battery if you are trying to stay in that spot for an extended period.
I personally use both regularly, but I’d rank a spot lock or I-pilot trolling motor over 1-2 poles for your needs.
Huckleberry hit the nail on the head here....best advice.
Two is overkill. If your boat doesn't have either, get the trolling motor and 1 pole and you'll be happy.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 9:27 am to TopWaterTiger
Spot lock, no question. But power poles have their purpose. I have 1 8' pole, will eventually get another on my 24' bay boat. I do inshore and some offshore with it. If I'm bass fishing and want to hit a run out from the marsh, then I'll pole down, but 1 pole allows the boat to pivot, 2 will keep it steady. Using spot lock in that situation usually causes the motor to blow mud from the bottom and disturb the area. But pretty much everything else is all spot lock.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 12:11 pm to Royalfisher
Your money is better spent buying a trolling motor with spot lock. You will barely ever use your powerpoles.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 12:25 pm to MorningWood
quote:
Your money is better spent buying a trolling motor with spot lock.
For those looking into spot lock trolling motors is it Minn Kota Terrova or bust? Do you find that the GPS Link to follow tracks a feature that you put into use regularly?
I have a Lowrance GPS and need a 24V, 54-60" shaft, 80lbsh thrust.
Motor Guide is less $$$ and would work with Lowrance
Minn Kota more $$$ but wouldn't work with GPS
MK Power Drive (not great reviews)
MG XI3 (Mixed reviews/Cheaper)
MG XI5 (Mixed reviews/Close priced to Terrova)
MK Terrova (Best reviews but more $$$ than MG)
MK Ulterra (Jury still out on the auto deploy?)
Posted on 6/24/22 at 2:04 pm to Royalfisher
So what do you guys use to stop the back of the boat from swinging in the current or wind? Big mushroom anchor?
Posted on 6/24/22 at 2:40 pm to Royalfisher
I find that my TM in spot lock spins my boat into the wind. I have plenty of room to fish from the fron or back casting decks but I have used my single PP in concert with my TM when I need to be paralell to where i am fishing. Before the PP and with only the TM in spot lock, I didn’t use anything and just moved on the boat or adapted. I didn’t drop an anchor bc i was worried to spook the fish or have the anchor hang up. 25’ bay boat mostly marsh and reef fishing. As everhas stated spot lock has been the best purchase I have made that makes fishing much more enjoyable. For my 36v tm and 10’ PP installed it was 6300ish
Before this boat I also use a spot lock TM but also used a kyak stake anchor for the swings
Before this boat I also use a spot lock TM but also used a kyak stake anchor for the swings
This post was edited on 6/24/22 at 2:42 pm
Posted on 6/24/22 at 2:48 pm to Royalfisher
I just set the boat up to how I know it's gong to spin (go ahead and point the bow into the wind and then hit the anchor button). Depending on what I'm fishing, I can still fish from the bow or if not possible, I'll just fish from the back.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 3:26 pm to Royalfisher
Spot lock type trolling motor. I rarely use my two poles anymore. Game changer
Posted on 6/25/22 at 7:55 am to Royalfisher
A huge part of the question is what are you doing with your boat? Where are you fishing? My style of fishing may be different from yours. 99% of the time I'm sight fishing in the marsh in under 2 ft of water. I have an ulterra on my boat but I have never once used the spot lock feature. It is useless for my application and my style of fishing. To each his own, but for me & what I like to do in my boat, there is nothing better than 2 powerpoles.
Posted on 6/26/22 at 11:38 am to Royalfisher
8' to 12' is going to be a challenge for the powerpole.
I have a 10' pole and it's good for 8.5' of water, if the ground is soft and water is calm. Waves will lift the boat/pole up.
For your depths, the trolling motor with anchor feature is the ticket.
I have one power pole and an terrova minnkota and to me that's the best combo for the $.
I have a 10' pole and it's good for 8.5' of water, if the ground is soft and water is calm. Waves will lift the boat/pole up.
For your depths, the trolling motor with anchor feature is the ticket.
I have one power pole and an terrova minnkota and to me that's the best combo for the $.
This post was edited on 6/26/22 at 11:41 am
Posted on 6/26/22 at 11:47 am to Grassy1
Spotlock or bust.
Posted on 6/26/22 at 1:26 pm to bayouvette
Correct answer is one single power pole in rear and Cajun anchor upfront. It’s what I have and it works perfectly as it saves weight, and does everything that you need.
It’s the best money I’ve spent outside of bobs Jackplate
It’s the best money I’ve spent outside of bobs Jackplate
Posted on 6/26/22 at 1:35 pm to Royalfisher
quote:By being pissed off at the wind. I bet they used rod and reels instead of cane poles like their predecessors.
How did our grandparents catch trout and reds w/o all that?
Posted on 6/26/22 at 4:56 pm to turkish
quote:The spot lock/anchor (different manufacturers use different marketing labels) will hold the nose of your boat in the position you choose (by pushing the anchor/spot lock button on the trolling motor). Wind and/or current will swing the rear of your boat, and you'll be facing the current.
Does the spot lock just maintain you at a spot or can it maintain your location and boat direction/heading?
P.S. This is a great thread. I've been debating in my redneck brain about power poles. I have a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor - haven't yet been in a position (Spillway and Verret areas) where I've needed any thing beyond the "anchor" button.
I sure see a lot of Power poles out there, but I have yet to see someone actually using them.
Posted on 6/26/22 at 7:37 pm to dawg23
Power poles excel redfishing in the marsh. You can stop the boat without causing a bunch of commotion. Works spec fishing also. Really handy for docking the boat to keep the stern away from the dock.
There's no doubt that a smart trolling motor is a far more useful tool for me. It's the best fishing accessory to come out since GPS.
There's no doubt that a smart trolling motor is a far more useful tool for me. It's the best fishing accessory to come out since GPS.
Posted on 6/27/22 at 6:08 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I have 2 pp plus spot lock trolling motor and spot lock engines. I fish for reds, specks and snapper equally. For reds I usually fish the bank with dead shrimp on the bottom. The 2 PP allow me to be parallel the bank with no movement at all. I like to feel the fish nibble. I tried 1 PP and the spot lock but there was too much noise and movement.
For specks it usually deeper water with live bait so the spot lock likes shines here.
For snapper I fish wrecks and the engine spot lock allows me to stay over the site.
Everyone is different so it just depends on how you fish and what you fish for.
For specks it usually deeper water with live bait so the spot lock likes shines here.
For snapper I fish wrecks and the engine spot lock allows me to stay over the site.
Everyone is different so it just depends on how you fish and what you fish for.
Posted on 6/27/22 at 6:25 am to rodnreel
Just get 2 Power Poles, a Spot Lock trolling motor, and a Cajun anchor. Get a drift bag, a regular anchor and an aluminum hook to grab the rig if you go offshore. Nothing beats being prepared. Good luck.
Oh, Don’t forget the transom mount trolling motor as well.
Oh, Don’t forget the transom mount trolling motor as well.
Posted on 6/27/22 at 10:33 am to Royalfisher
If you have to chose between them, Ipilot over the poles. Ipilot and one pole is a great combo too.
Posted on 6/27/22 at 2:36 pm to Royalfisher
2 poles. They are the most valuable things I have ever put on a boat. I could never do without them. With one you will spin around depending on the wind and current.
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