Hoping for feedback... if anyone has purchased hydraulic anchor(s), do you think they are worth it? Did anything surprise you regarding their use? Any brand or model you, particularly, like? Is one any good or must have two? How has it made your fishing better, if so?

Powerpoles don’t hold as deep as you think they would. 8’ poles hold at 5-6’ depth reading max. They work great other than that. Really hasn’t changed my fishing other than has helped me save a ton of lures on windy days.

Depends on the kind of fishing you do. If your shallow water fishing there great. I use two so the boat doesn’t pivot back and forth. If your fishing deeper all the time then spot lock is the way to go.

There also good for launching your boat alone.

Talons don’t fold down when deployed..pain of your fishing off the back

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

Depends on the kind of fishing you do. If your shallow water fishing there great. I use two so the boat doesn’t pivot back and forth. If your fishing deeper all the time then spot lock is the way to go.

There also good for launching your boat alone.

 

How do they help you launch, you mean anchor at dock after launch instead of tying rope?

 

1 hour ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Powerpoles don’t hold as deep as you think they would. 8’ poles hold at 5-6’ depth reading max. They work great other than that. Really hasn’t changed my fishing other than has helped me save a ton of lures on windy days.

 

How does it help save lures?

 

I've got one 12 foot talon.  I bought it it in 2015 because the Ultrex (which has spot lock) had not existed yet.

 

The reason I bought a talon instead of a power pole was because it can reach deeper and I didn't have room for a pump in my bilge area.  They now make a 15 foot model too.

 

One does not hold me in a true specific position.  Its more of a pivot-point that I use in conjunction with the bow mount.  Two is better than one, but its obviously twice the cost.  It has never failed in 5 years.

 

At the time, I am glad I bought it.  I use it regularly.  It comes in very handy when launching and loading at the access.  However, if I had an option between an Ultrex with spot-lock or a talon/power pole, I would choose the Ultrex now.

1 hour ago, livemusic said:

 

How do they help you launch, you mean anchor at dock after launch instead of tying rope?

 

 

 

 

When I’m alone I can bump the boat off the trailer and use the remote control to put my poles down and not worry about the boat smacking into the dock before I can get out and tie it off to the dock. 

I used the talon more for panfishing than I ever did for bass fishing. It's a great tool and the next boat will have one as well 

You have gotten some great advice on this thread.  I use my Talon much less after getting a spot-lock trolling motor.  Overall, I use my Talon more for convenience (at the launch, retying, taking a break, ect.) than fishing.  Make no mistake, it is great at the launch.  But I do think the Talon is loud and the couple boats I've been in with Poles were quieter.  If money were tight I would not get one but it sure is convenient.  For my purposes, I would only get one.  I definitely don't think getting two at 4K-5K total is worth it.  

5 hours ago, livemusic said:

 

 

How does it help save lures?

 

I can anchor the boat so it’s stationary and I can use the lure retriever to get the bait. A lot harder to do when the boat is being pushed around by the wind.

There's one minor distinction: the Talon are motorized, while Power Pole are hydraulic.  I've gone back and forth about which I'd prefer and why.  Not sure I'd want to deal with the remote pumps over the extra weight.  They both sit next the outboard, so I'm not so sure they're as big an obstruction as many make them out to be.  I wouldn't want a non boater casting over my outboard anyway.