I recently bought a brand new boat and am thinking about its next upgrade. When we got the boat we bought very cheap depth finders to go on it. Should I install one powerpole or upgrade my depth finders?

If you fish shallow mostly then the pp may be more useful. If you fish offshore more a good sonar will be an advantage.

I agree with the above post it depends on your fishing style. I typically beat the banks and cast at cover in shallow water and some freshwater flats. My fish finder is for the most part used for the GPS, comparing the water depth within an area, water temps, and figuring out what depth seems to be the depth most life is hanging around for that day. I could for sure get away with a typical fish finder but just liked the clarity of the dsi unit. I use my power pile more efficiently than my fish finders.

A good depthfinder with the ability to use a map card. Imaging is a plus

A good depthfinder with the ability to use a map card. Imaging is a plus

Yelp!

Spend the same amount for a power pole on a depth finder!

As has been said where and how you fish makes a difference, a big one, but if it were me I'd definitely go with the sonar first and consider the powerpole later. You can get a pretty dang good unit for the cost of the powerpole. I'm not against a power pole by any means though. I'd love to have a pair of them but day in and day out for me the graph is gonna get way more use. Especially one with GPS/Map capability. I'd have never guessed I would have used that as much as I do.

You can hold your boat pretty steady on the trolling motor with practice, you cannot see underwater structure, fish, etc. well without a decent sonar unit or scuba gear. Just an opinion. Do a lot of homework on both before you pull the trigger.

I recently bought a brand new boat and am thinking about its next upgrade. When we got the boat we bought very cheap depth finders to go on it. Should I install one powerpole or upgrade my depth finders?

 

1st:   Depth Sounder (side-imaging is optional)

2nd:  Minn Kota 12-ft Talon (no cricket legs)

 

Roger

I wouldn't be nearly as effective on the water without my Garmins. 

Good depth finder all the way and the ability to really learn how to use it. 

To me, powerpoles would only be used on my boat when I wanted to stop and drink/eat or just take a break, but even if I did need or want them 2 good depth finders would still  be at the top of my list.

For me it would be a power pole, but I flip/pitch a lot and using the trolling motor in shallow water spooks fish. Much of my fishing I don't need a depth finder. I also crappie fish during the winter, often in 10 ft of water or less, and dropping/raising an anchor is a pain.....

There's a guy fishing the FLW this year with a tin boat and only very basic sonar. His thinking is that his most consistent success comes fishing shallow, so by limiting himself slightly with boat and electronics he's not tempted to fish offshore and out of his comfort zone. Fishing shallow all the time there's less utility in a sonar and possibly more utility in a power pole. I wouldn't want to limit myself, but it's a logical point of view.

I'd say a good locator wins vs the power pole. As a lot of people here have said, it depends on how you fish, but mapping with good electronics may change how you fish. To me, it's all around a bit more versatile. 

i've fished many times without an anchor of sorts and felt ok about it....  my depth finder battery died early on me 2 weeks ago and i felt like a child ready to cry... i was blind without it.

I've never really understood the point of having just 1 power pole. 2 poles makes an anchor, 1 pole makes a pivot point. Spend your money on a nice Garmin

There's a guy fishing the FLW this year with a tin boat and only very basic sonar. His thinking is that his most consistent success comes fishing shallow, so by limiting himself slightly with boat and electronics he's not tempted to fish offshore and out of his comfort zone. Fishing shallow all the time there's less utility in a sonar and possibly more utility in a power pole. I wouldn't want to limit myself, but it's a logical point of view.

But even in water less than 10 feet a graph will tell you if theres cover, structure, the bottom composition, drop offs ditches, and if you're lucky, fish.

Powerpole cant do that.

A power pole can't get you home in the fog.

I know, but a sonar won't hold you on a spot and stop you being blown onto the cover either. There is no right answer, but there is acclear choice. I'd go sonar every time, but I like fishing offshore more than many people.

That graph can tell you whether your moving or not with no clear reference point above water. I fish shallow and deep. I've never felt like I had to have a power pole. But man when the graph poops out.... Well, it's gonna be a tough day.

There's a guy fishing the FLW this year with a tin boat and only very basic sonar. His thinking is that his most consistent success comes fishing shallow, so by limiting himself slightly with boat and electronics he's not tempted to fish offshore and out of his comfort zone. Fishing shallow all the time there's less utility in a sonar and possibly more utility in a power pole. I wouldn't want to limit myself, but it's a logical point of view.

When I hear someone say that it is proof positive they have no confidence fishing deep!

I think that's his point. Be interesting to see how it works for him.

I know several guys that fish almost year round, and have for many years in a couple different club tournaments that will tell you in a heartbeat, if the water more than 10 feet, it's too deep.

However, when it comes to fishing large deeper lakes, I'm a firm believer in the fact that if you are only fishing the banks, 90% of the water/fish are behind you. Spring, fall and nights are about the only times you will find me less than 10 feet of water.

You could always make a stake out pole like a manual power pole almost depending how big your boat is. If you're like me amd have next to no confidence or knowledge fishing deep, then a power pole is a good choice. Keep in mind I'm in florida and natural water here 10 feet is almost none existant.

You could always make a stake out pole like a manual power pole almost depending how big your boat is. If you're like me amd have next to no confidence or knowledge fishing deep, then a power pole is a good choice. Keep in mind I'm in florida and natural water here 10 feet is almost none existant.

 

+1

 

he could get one or two Dig-In shallow water anchors with mounts and a decent sonar/GPS combo for the price of one power pole or talon

I would suggest buying a nice side-imaging sonar/GPS.  Then, save up the money for a Powerpole.  When you get the money saved up, buy a second side-imaging sonar instead!  ;-)

 

Tight lines,

Bob

Just checked and the guy fishing the FLW shallow all year was John Cox. He finished the year in second place, just 14 points behind Scott Martin.