I am happy to be working with the folks at JL Marine Systems, who introduced this hot new product some time back and is quickly becoming standard equipment on serious bass anglers rigs.
These units come in 6' and 8' models and options include a "Stealth System" with a quieter hydraulic pump to drive the anchor stake, and small convenient push button remote controllers that can be worn.
I had my boat equipped with the Power-Pole Xl Black Stealth System which is the 8' model with the quieter hydraulic pump and remote control. The extra 2' doesn't sound like much when you say it, but when you think about it 6' or 8' either one is a limitation that requires consideration as to when and where the unit can be utilized as a useful tool.
Donald Boris at Boris Marine Electronics in Fort Worth Texas, was great to work with and really came through for me in getting me ready to go to the Red River for the first 2008 event of the B.A.S.S. Central Open series. The installation was truly engineered for my rig and special consideration was required due to the limited amount of room in the rear compartment for the Stealth System, as you can see in the picture to the left.
The Power Pole really became useful to me at the Red River when it allowed me to hold my position in heavy current and high wind, while I was able to concentrate on what my bait was doing. It also allowed me to stay in a small area and retie without having to worry about being blown away from it with the high wind.
These units are ideal for fishing shallow water with long casts on windy days, and in these situations there is absolutely no better tool for total boat control.
For even better control, two units can be mounted and used to keep the boat totally fixed by eliminating the pivot point that a single unit introduces.
Catch me on the water and check out my Power Pole or feel free to contact me with your questions, and as always if I can't answer you on the spot I will make it my objective to get you the correct answer.
