I've googled, but can't find an answer.

 

Let's say you've got a guy fishing on the back deck.  You're in shallow water, but do now want to anchor down as you troll along a bank.  

 

Can you let the "pole" down without anchoring so that it's out of the way and the guy on the rear deck can cast sidearm?

 

From what I've seen, it looks like you can lower them partially... but let's say you're in 3ft of water... are you able to get the pole out of the way without anchoring?

You can let them down by increments. In 3 fow I doubt you can go very much.  I have 8' poles on a 20' boat.  The brackets are in the water when the boat is stopped.

Thanks for the info!