Power Pole - A Toy Or A Tool?
November 10, 2008
This last season I've been using the Power-Pole (www.power-pole.com), new to bass anglers, but old news to shallow water saltwater anglers. The device is a shallow water anchor. The Power-Pole is easily operated by a switch at the console or by a remote control unit.
I originally thought the only opportunities I would have to use this device would be for bed fishing or docks, however there are more times it can be used than one would think. Frog fishing during a tournament with my son Joe on Champlain in Ticonderoga proved to be much easier and more rewarding than we could have hoped. 
The wind was blowing in a direction that enabled us to drift into the weeds. Instead of using our Minn Kota we were able to hold ourselves in place and fish the area thoroughly, and when we were ready to move 20’ we would lift the Power-Pole and drift to the next spot and start all over again. We ended up catching three five- pound largemouth out of the mats and weighed a six fish limit for over 24 pounds good for second place.
Another usage is when you're in a shallow area and need to retie and you'd blow into or past the area you want to fish, just stick the Power-Pole in. How many times have you pulled into one of those aluminum docks or an older dock with nails or bolts sticking out? You know the ones that love to put a nice little gouge in your boat’s gel coat, and usually in the metal flake area. I now use the Power-Pole to hold the boat’s stern off the dock and only tie the bow portion.
A different time we were weighing in on a beach with a following wind that was pushing the sterns other boat up onto the beach while ours never moved. Finally, you're dock fishing and the slightest breeze starts to blow you into the dock, you normally reverse the trolling motor, resulting in backwashing the dock with the thrust of the trolling motor screwing up that dock. Just imagine being able to lock yourself in place at your favorite docks and change baits and not move an inch.
One more thing for my deepwater drift sock anglers, Power-Pole has just released a device that allows you to use the Power-Pole for your drift sock. You attach the drift sock to the top of the Power-Pole and activate the Power-Pole thus lowering the drift sock into the water. When ready for another drift just lift the Power-Pole up and move. No more drift sock in the boat while moving to start a new drift.
If you're a viewer of some of the major bass fishing tournaments you will start too notice that a number of anglers are now using two Power-Poles to eliminate any pivoting of their boat. For the professional that needs to make a living by bass fishing I can understand the need for two Power-Poles, however I believe one will handle most angler’s needs.
For my guide brethren imagine fishing beds with two people in the boat and not having to use an anchor or trolling motor to hold a spot. I believe there are numerous items on my boat that I could leave home and still catch fish, the Power-Pole will not be one of them. When my fellow tournament anglers see the Power-Pole they ask what I think of it and my answer is that it's one of the things on my boat that will make me money at a tournament. No the Power-Pole is not a toy and is most definitely a “new” tool for me. BTW both my son and I use the XL unit which is 8 feet long.