Any self-respecting angler is always on the lookout for a brand new accessory or piece of equipment to improve the returns of each fishing trip. But take heed - a lot of the fancy new products you’ll find on the market might not be as effective or worthy as they seem.
The Power Pole is just one of the many interesting boating accessories you’ll find. Considered one of the newest innovations on the fishing market, the Power Pole is making ripples in the industry as the hottest new must-have. But what does a Power Pole do on a bass boat and do you actually need one?
What is a Power Pole?
According to their website, the Power Pole is ‘the first and only name in shallow water anchoring.’ The pole attaches to your transom and adds between 13 and 27 lbs of extra weight, which is negligible at best. What it does is that it deploys a long, ‘indestructible’ pole at the push of a button to keep your boat steady in the water.
This Everflex spike jams itself into the bed below, working exactly as a conventional anchor. This instant anchor deployment system is swift, silent, and secure, perfect for those moments when you just want to get out there and throw your line without a moment to lose (which is probably every time.)
Designed for shallow waters up to 10 feet, the Power Pole is lightweight, compact, and effortless, making it the latest and the greatest innovation when it comes to bass fishing. Of course, that also means that the nifty gadget comes at a steep price. So purchasing one might not be too practical or accessible for a lot of bass anglers who fish just for fun.
Do You Need a Power Pole?
You might be thinking, hey, that’s something I need. Of course, the idea of having an anchor you can instantly deploy minus the legwork can definitely tickle any angler. But is it something you actually need, or will it end up being just another fixture on the boat?
Well, that really depends on what kind of angler you are. For the record, the ability to effortlessly deploy an anchor at the push of a button is something that all bass boats could probably use. The issue lies in how much you’re willing to pay to have that feature added to your watercraft.
The Power Pole is anything but cheap. Will it help you catch more fish? Definitely. But if you’re fishing just for the heck of it, the price might be a little too steep to justify. Unless money is no object, buying a Power Pole if you’re a hobbyist could be impractical at best.
On the other hand, if you’re fishing from a bass boat for the purpose of earning a profit, then yes, a Power Pole might be for you. The initial cost might leave a bit of a dent in your wallet, but you could probably earn it back in no time especially since it’s likely to improve the returns of each fishing trip.
How to Install a Power Pole
The bass boat Power Pole isn’t plug and play. On the upside though, the manufacturer does what they can to make the installation process easy for anyone hoping to do it without any extra help.
The package comes with a set of brackets that you affix to your transom or to your motor’s jack plate. After that, you attach a set of poles to the brackets. Once that’s over with, you can then try to map out where you want the hydraulic lines to go. These will connect to a pump that will be responsible for deploying and retracting to your Power Pole.
Lay out some painters tape before you drill the holes to make sure your drill bit doesn’t slide across the surface. And then pass the hydraulic lines through the holes, and fit all of the other components.
You should be able to get the job done in two hours tops. If you’ve got a friend at the ready to hold some of the pieces in place (since some steps might call for more than two hands), that might make the entire process a little easier.
CM1 vs CM2
If you ever decide to buy a Power Pole, one of the considerations you’ll have to make is whether to get a CM1 or a CM2 model. ‘CM’ stands for C-Monster Control System which is essentially what you’ll use to deploy and retract your power pole. This refers to the brand’s dedicated marine protocol, which comes in two variations.
All CM1 anchors operate at 400Mghz. On the other hand, the CM2 controllers operate at 900Mghz. For you, that means using a CM2 controller will showcase faster response times and a greater range, so you can deploy your Power Pole from greater distances compared to a CM1.
Other than that, all CM2 models are built with much more durable materials that can withstand more harsh conditions. It’s worth mentioning that CM1 and CM2 controllers and models are not interchangeable and compatible. That means you can’t use a CM1 controller with a CM2 Power Pole, and vice versa.
Power Pole vs Traditional Rope and Anchor
As the old adage goes: if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. So what’s so wrong about the old rope and anchor that it needs to be replaced by a fancy new instant spike? Well, there’s nothing wrong with it, per se. But there’s always something to gain out of upgrading older features and fixtures that might cost a little extra time and effort to use, right?
Convenient
Let’s admit it, there’s beauty in the effortless deployment of a Power Pole. If you’re tired of having to wrestle with that slimy rode and anchor, then a Power Pole might be the solution. Of course, you could always just get an anchor winch for your bass boat, but then again, that could add some serious weight to your watercraft.
Lightweight
On the topic of weight, it’s worth mentioning that the Power Pole is about as lightweight as they get. With cheap Power Pole anchors weighing in at a mere 13lbs, the Power Pole’s construction ensures that you won’t have to worry about lugging around several pounds of rope and anchor on your bass boat. That’s because they don’t rely on weight to keep you grounded.
Compact
Whether your anchor is on a winch or if you simply keep the rode and anchor on board, that stuff’s going to take up space. And because bass fishing can require quite a lot of gear, there’s the issue of maximizing the floor area on deck. Fortunately, the Power Pole takes that into consideration, helping you make the most of the space on your boat by keeping your anchor system mounted to the transom.
Quick Deployment
There’s no denying that there will be moments when you’ll just have to make a quick anchor deployment. Whether it’s because of a snapped line or because of too much drifting, being able to quickly stay your boat can save you from losing the potential catch when you find a place that’s teeming with bass.
Versatile
There’s a lot more that a Power Pole can do than just anchor your boat while you’re fishing. It works great in tight docks where there might just be enough space to keep your boat. Deploying the Power Pole can help prevent your watercraft from bumping into neighboring vessels. It’s also a great choice if you want to keep your boat from drifting in the wake of fast moving boats as they pass yours. This is something an anchor might not be able to do unless you’re at the end of the rode.
Increased Returns
That’s just how it works when you streamline the different functions on your boat. The main reason why a Power Pole works so well to increase the amount of fish you catch is because it cuts down the time you would spend anchoring your vessel. It also lets you keep your boat stable and stayed instantly in a variety of situations, so you can focus on what you need to do without worrying about drifting.
Shallow Waters
Perhaps the only downside of choosing the Power Pole over a traditional rode and anchor (aside from the obvious price difference) is that they’re only applicable for use in shallow waters. The spike itself can only work in depths of up to 10 feet, and that might be more than enough to get you a fat bass. But as the bass move to deeper waters during the summer, you might find yourself limited to shallow areas if you plan to use your Power Pole exclusively.
Is the Power Pole for You?
If it wasn’t entirely clear what does a Power Pole do on a bass boat, then this short guide should have cleared up the smoke. Is it for you? Well, that really depends. If you’re fishing for fun, then the added expense may be tough to justify. But hey, if you’re doing it for profit or if money is no object, then the Power Pole might be exactly what you need to streamline your bass fishing experience.
