I have a 17ft Nitro and am looking to add a power pole/talon/blade.  Two questions....

One, which brand would you guys suggest? 

Two, can I get away with just having one power anchor?  I really don't want to have to spend the money for 2 of them if I can get by (I know two is likely better) with one.

 

Thank you for the help!

I have twin talons on my rig.

These are the reason I chose them:

Electric unit requires no hydraulics

I prefer the vertical deployment.

My 12 ft models are effective to a depth of 10-11 feet in calm conditions.

(a 15 ft version is now available)

The user selectable modes for various bottom conditions as well as the 'wave absorption' features have proven very effective for my fishing.

One unit is better than none but two offers more of a pinned down feeling when I need it.  

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

 

It's gonna be a Ford vs Chevy thing in the long run.  BTW, a Blade is a Power Pole so you really have only 2 choices.  Soon enough someone will pipe up and tell you to get an Ulterx/Ulterra and forget the anchors.  These Trolling Motors have a feature called "Spot Lock" and although very handy, it is not the same as having a solid anchoring method in shallow water.  Me, I have Power Poles.  Reasons, less weight and I would rather trust hydraulics vs electric.  Power pole customer service is second to none.  Finally, aesthetics.  One style or the other will appeal to you more than the other.  They both do the job they are designed for.  

42 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

It's gonna be a Ford vs Chevy thing in the long run.  BTW, a Blade is a Power Pole so you really have only 2 choices.  Soon enough someone will pipe up and tell you to get an Ulterx/Ulterra and forget the anchors.  These Trolling Motors have a feature called "Spot Lock" and although very handy, it is not the same as having a solid anchoring method in shallow water.  Me, I have Power Poles.  Reasons, less weight and I would rather trust hydraulics vs electric.  Power pole customer service is second to none.  Finally, aesthetics.  One style or the other will appeal to you more than the other.  They both do the job they are designed for.  

Thank you.  I've been watching videos all day.  Since I have a smaller boat (17ft) I think I need less weight.  Therefor I will likely go with the power poles.  Probably going to just suck it up and get two also.  The more I read the more it sounds like with the wind I face I will end up spinning.

Min Kota is currently having a rebate on talons. $500 rebate if you buy 2 of them before the end of June I think. Even with a rebate, they’re pricey.

I have a single 8ft Talon on a 20ft boat. I would say it's ideal 80% of the time. There are times when 2 would be nice, but I have learned to use the trolling motor to make up for any inadequacies. 

There are manual poles as well for a lot less.  I spent around $300 for a 8ft stake and motor mount.  My trolling motor has spot lock and together hold me in place.

 

https://www.diginanchors.com/optin000001

 

 

Talons weigh more and cost more mostly because the brackets are outrageously expensive ~$2-300 each.

 

If I had a bigger boat with plenty of power and a bigger budget I would probably go with Talons. Talons also have the advantage of vertical deployment, meaning you don’t have to look behind the boat to make sure they’re not going to get into a dock cable or something. There is also no hydraulic fluid with Talons.

 

However, I have a smaller boat and budget and needed to be the most weight and cost economical so I have power pole blades.

Power-Poles all the way. They're stronger and quieter than Talons.  I feel they hold better, because they angle outward, thus it's a wider, more stable stance. They're also lighter.

 

Really, this list is long why I like Power-Poles. I've had the original style, and now the newer styles. Love 'em!

 

 

Does your 17' boat transum accommodate power pole or talon? You may need to add a jack plate to mount the anchor(s) onto.

If you are a shallow water angler power anchors may be useful but if you only fish shallow occasionally they are not needed IMO.

Tom