Just an observation and question. If the new I Pilot Minn Kota with its feature that will keep your boat in one spot then why would you need a Powerpole? No dog in this fight just wondering folks options and inputs.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
Talk to Vinman, he has both and rarely uses the power pole.
The powerpole is nice especially if u have 2 because you can stake out in one place and not move at all. With the I pilot it will get off the spot a little then correct its self.
I guess if you were going to be in a spot a long time in strong wind or current it would save trolling battery charge. Another issue which doesn’t apply much when I fish around here but when when staked out for migrating tarpon in Florida and wind is behind you, you want the stern into the wind so the caster on deck is facing the fish. In that case I stake out with the pole or anchor with a quick release and float. The i-pilot would let the stern go downwind. I decided against a power pole when I ordered my boat to save weight. I use the i-pilot the vast majority of the time and use the pole next most and an anchor least. I have never missed having a power pole but my boat is small and light. If I had a big bay boat I might think differently.
I plan on living forever, so far so good
Egret 167, Etec 130
Wood Driftboat
Redfishing- No substitute for powerpole. I don’t want my trolling motor running while I’m within casting range of a school of shallow reds. Trout fishing- Most times, I am in too deep of water to use the powerpole when the peak trout bite is happpening around here (N. Edisto, St. Helena Sound) which is normally during the higher stages of the tide. My opinion- Need to have both for maximum creature comforts.
I pilot- needs someone on the bow to deploy, more noise, works hard in wind/current, keeps BOW in a 5 foot circle so stern swings boatlength +5’ which means you can move 2x boatlength +5 if you’re in the stern (45’ distance in my boat).
PP- can deploy from fob. Keeps the stern in one place quietly. Obviously depth limited.
If you fish varying situations, don’t see the downside to both. Just take the money from your kids’ college savings account.
Putting a PP Blade 8’ on my new skiff. I can move the I pilot between the 2 boats.
Great input. I will have to just get both.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomTalk to Vinman, he has both and rarely uses the power pole.
Vinman speaketh.
Depends a bit on how you fish and how much money you wish to spend. My boat came with a power pole only that would hold me at 6’ or less. When in 7 - 8’, I would find myself looking for 6’ or less to avoid the anchor. I’m certain that yearning for convenience cost me fish.
Then I added the I-Pilot. Now I can pretty much station my boat anywhere I want WITHOUT a power pole or anchor. Unless I hope to be whisper quiet on a flat, all I need do is press a button and be anchored anywhere. That pole is nice for when you want to sit skinny and still.
If I had started with neither, I’d have the I-Pilot. Best of both worlds, and if I need to anchor - I’d anchor. I could still do that quietly and effectively, but I can’t anchor myself in deeper water with my power pole. I can stay positioned in 2 to 2000’ with the I-Pilot.
Plus, don’t forget, its still a trolling motor. Mobility and a bow depth finder have changed my game IMMENSELY. Trolling allows you to hunt fish, not find them.
My 2 pennies.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
2011 Carolina Skiff 178DLV
90 HP Honda
Love my 8ft Power pole.
Stonoman
the stern doesn’t swing any more that it would if you were using an anchor. As far as it working too hard that’s not accurate. I have fished the jetties thru an entire tide and the swing and it held me the entire time, but i do have excellent batteries and maintain them properly. I have also gotten right up against docks and held there for over an hour, even in strong wind and current. Then when it’s time to hit another one just ease over to the next and do it again. Get up with me and I’ll demonstrate. You won’t believe it. I know I was skeptical until I actually used one.
Why not get i-pilot and a stick it anchor pin and save big $$$? Unless you have plenty to throw around, thats the way I’d go.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
quote:
Why not get i-pilot and a stick it anchor pin and save big $$$? Unless you have plenty to throw around, thats the way I’d go.
I’m with tigerfin. Is the convenience of pushing a button vs. taking 30 seconds to stake out with and anchor pin really worth +$1500?
'94 Cobia Caribbean 174 sf
'94 Yamaha 75