I’m considering a shallow water anchor for my boat. What are your opinions on the Minn Kota Talon and the Power Pole? Also, what length (depth) would you suggest?
Before it starts, please note that I am aware that I don’t “need” either one of these contraptions to catch fish. Nor am I saying anyone else “needs” one to catch fish.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
I’ve never had the talon but I do like my power pole. It came on my used boat. If I ever have the extra money to replace it I’d go bigger. Around here it has to sink into the mud so the six foot one that is on my boat isn’t much good beyond four or so feet of water. Power pole has some of the best customer service too, even on old models like mine. But before I replace it I’ll replace my trolling motor with one that has spot lock so I can use it in deeper water.
I have an 8ft Power Pole Pro on my boat and love it. Very easy to deploy and is also very quiet. If anything happens and it gets stuck in the down position it is also very easy to get it back up as well. I can second their customer service. Have sent me new fittings and tubing even though mine was well out of warranty.
I would get the Power Pole, especially if you fish off the back while you’re anchored up. The Talon housing seems it would be in the way when it’s deployed. If you fish artficials mostly, I’d say it’s nice to have but not great. If you fish mostly bait, it would be a worthwhile purchase. Get the longest you can reasonably fit and afford.
We bought a used 22 ft bay boat that came with an 8 ft Talon. Never had a power pole, so I can’t compare them directly. The Talon came with two remotes and has controls on the housing. It has a retract nut that takes a 7/16" wrench to wind it back up in case of dead battery or a really stuck spike. The spike has a lifetime warranty. It holds well in most conditions, we’ve only had problems with hard bottom and moving water. It has a rough water setting that keeps added pressure on the spike.
We fish off the back a lot and it hasn’t been a problem for us, deployed or not. We did put on a Talon Quick Release Handle Kit since we store the boat in a lot we didn’t want to entice it to be stolen. We can remove the Talon and remount it in less than a minute. If we know we are fishing deep water only, we don’t have to mount it, but we have always taken it with us.
When you say “moving water,” does that include tide changes?
I like the idea of the quick release mount.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Saw a pontoon at Santee the other week with a Talon on each end! Thaught that was good thinking!
The quick release kit was a must for us, it’s basically 4 aluminum handles that act as the nuts they replace. As for the moving water, we anchored out by fort Sumter by the dock in moving water, it took a bit for it to hold during a mid incoming tide. A strong wind will affect it to, i guess that depends on the profile of the boat as well.
A lot of great info here!! Thanks y’all!!
Thanks for the explanation, demasb!
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
Have you ever seen the you tube of pp vs talon? It’s lol and not a contest. PP smokes the talon. Moreover, pp is simple electric over hydraulic. Very little to break. Talon is much more complicated, ie, series of pulleys, belts, gears and such. PP’s customer service is legendary and without repose. Do the smart thing and look around you. You’ll see 591 pp’s and maybe 1 talon. Maybe. There’s a reason for things like that.
I’ve heard the Talons have come a long way recently. They got a bad name at first as Minn Kota is working out the kinks. I’m really wanting to try them.
I’ve got an 8’ blade and its awesome. But it too has its issues and requires maintenance. You have to torque the bolts annually, change the fluid periodically and change the spike when needed.
Another guy on another forum I frequent has had both. He fishes professional for his college and recently shared his experiences. This is a copy and paste of his words not mine:
"10 foot blade/8 foot blade or pro series vs 12 foot talon.
12 Foot talon is:
Quicker to deploy
Quieter
Deeper
Easier to use when docking
Soft bottom and rough water mode
No pumps so extra storage
Shorter height when not deployed (Especially the new 8 foot talon coming out)
Built in wave absorption while powerpole you have to buy the wave pack separate
Power pole:
Amazing customer service
9 lbs lighter (10 foot blade)
Lots of accessories
Talon negatives:
They will make a little squeak on the 2nd stage of deployment, to get rid of this i just spray a little 656 on them every 10 trips or so and they are dead silent
Powerpole negative:
More flex in spike
Hydraulic pump takes storage
Thats really about it. I would not hesitate to own either product. They are both great. Just my preference for my style of fishing
A friend who said I was nuts for getting talons now wants them after fishing with me (He has dual 8 foot pro series 2). If the talons stay reliable, then I will continue to really like them
I think talon scared some people off with the original model, but this new design is a very good one. A friend has dual 10 footers and he really likes them, no issues"
quote:
Originally posted by HoppyHave you ever seen the you tube of pp vs talon? It’s lol and not a contest. PP smokes the talon. Moreover, pp is simple electric over hydraulic.</font id=“red”> Very little to break. Talon is much more complicated, ie, series of pulleys, belts, gears and such. PP’s customer service is legendary and without repose. Do the smart thing and look around you. You’ll see 591 pp’s and maybe 1 talon. Maybe. There’s a reason for things like that.
Isn’t PP hydraulic and Talon electric…?
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
quote:
Originally posted by 16bayfisherI’ve heard the Talons have come a long way recently. They got a bad name at first as Minn Kota is working out the kinks. I’m really wanting to try them.
I’ve got an 8’ blade and its awesome. But it too has its issues and requires maintenance. You have to torque the bolts annually, change the fluid periodically and change the spike when needed.
Another guy on another forum I frequent has had both. He fishes professional for his college and recently shared his experiences. This is a copy and paste of his words not mine:
"10 foot blade/8 foot blade or pro series vs 12 foot talon.
12 Foot talon is:
Quicker to deploy
Quieter
Deeper
Easier to use when docking
Soft bottom and rough water mode
No pumps so extra storage
Shorter height when not deployed (Especially the new 8 foot talon coming out)
Built in wave absorption while powerpole you have to buy the wave pack separatePower pole:
Amazing customer service
9 lbs lighter (10 foot blade)
Lots of accessoriesTalon negatives:
They will make a little squeak on the 2nd stage of deployment, to get rid of this i just spray a little 656 on them every 10 trips or so and they are dead silent
Powerpole negative:
More flex in spike
Hydraulic pump takes storageThats really about it. I would not hesitate to own either product. They are both great. Just my preference for my style of fishing
A friend who said I was nuts for getting talons now wants them after fishing with me (He has dual 8 foot pro series 2). If the talons stay reliable, then I will continue to really like them
I think talon scared some people off with the original model, but this new design is a very good one. A friend has dual 10 footers and he really likes them, no issues"
Interesting. Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by archerquote:
Originally posted by HoppyHave you ever seen the you tube of pp vs talon? It’s lol and not a contest. PP smokes the talon. Moreover, pp is simple electric over hydraulic.</font id=“red”> Very little to break. Talon is much more complicated, ie, series of pulleys, belts, gears and such. PP’s customer service is legendary and without repose. Do the smart thing and look around you. You’ll see 591 pp’s and maybe 1 talon. Maybe. There’s a reason for things like that.
Isn’t PP hydraulic and Talon electric…?
Hydraulics don’t work with out being pumped. The hydraulic pump is electric. The kool kids call a system like that - “Electric over Hydraulic”
My bad. I thought you were suggesting electric “over” hydraulic. Didn’t realize you were talking about the system as a whole.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
No prob. The PP is such a simple and proven system and that’s why I think its so dependable and popular.