One, two or no power pole

2 powerpoles, period. I will never own another boat that doesn't have 2 installed.

Skip the power poles and get spot lock trolling motor (the greatest innovation for fishing since monofilament).

Like others said, spend the money and grab an Ultrex or Ghost trolling motor. Bought a boat with two Talons on it and had them sold before I ever launched the boat. Unless you're anchoring super shallow water where you're worried the trolling motor might run into the bottom or sticks there's no need for poles

Cajun anchor poles with a guide bracket and you have basically the same option for 1/10th the price.

I use i pilot for fishing and my singke PP for hanging out in the lake or at tge beach. A single PP will spin you until you are directly downwind. Spot lock is freaking great and I’d give up all the PPs for it.

i did something like this with just a pvc pipe and a couple hose clamps on the transom and then a rope with bell anchor hold the front. total cost including the pvc pipe was under $35 for all of it. then just get whatever pipe you want for the anchor rod, it doesnt have to be a fancy fiberglass rod but you definitely will want more then one holding point to hold the boat from moving around in wind and current

quote:

---

Skip the power poles and get spot lock trolling motor (the greatest innovation for fishing since monofilament).

---

100% this.

quote:

---

What does the ipilot etc cost?

---

Recently got Motorguide Saltwater Xi5 80lb with GPS for $1900 + install cost.

I have a 22 pathfinder that came (used) with single power pole a 36v tm, no spot lock. I wish I had 2nd pp, but to stop spinning on single pp, I put the pp down, then set tm on low speed pulling in the direction I want to keep boat positioned. More than having 2nd pp, I want spot lock. That shite is the tits.

quote:

---

What size pvc did you use

---

8-10" long 1" with a coupling on each end so it cant slip passed the clamps

quote:

---

What do you do when moving?

---

just pull up the pole rod and lay it in the boat

for front i had a bell anchor on a rope so i can raise/lower it from the drivers seat and tie it off.

if i was getting on plane, i went to bow and lifted it and put it in the boat so it didnt bounce around

quote:

---

What depths does it work in and bottoms?

---

just like with a PP, it depends on anchor rod length, but your mainly using them in 4ft of water or less

this is the clamps i used to hold it LINK

then i used a 1/2" galvanized pipe 6ft long with a tee fitting on top as the anchor rod

i tried pvc anchor rod but it didnt have enough weight to stay stuck in the mud, the galvanised pipe worked best and it was only $20

i will probably get one of these soon for the bow anchor LINK

I have a few specific recommendations for your specific needs:

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.