I want to buy a new toy that will help with my bass fishing as well as adding a little resale value to my Triton.  I already have a Humminbird 797 with side imaging, so new electronics aren't a necessity.  Just wondering which one my fellow bass junkies would rather have now!  I hear a lot of people talking about how the power-pole is only useful for when the fish are bedding, but I tend to disagree.  Any input is appreciated.

I polled for the power pole before I looked at your location. oops!

I'd opt for the HB 998 and network them.

Nick

I would go with the Power Pole. Living in Dearborn, you probably fish Erie more. I'm not sure of the depth there. I haven't fished Erie since I was a kid. Here on St. Clair I fish 8' and under 80% of the time, so the 8 footer would be nice. I'm still trying to convince my wife that I really "need" the Power Pole. ;D

Falcon

I actually fish St. Clair more than Erie, and spend most of my tournaments on inland lakes fishing for Largemouths.

Two pieces of equipment I require in my boat, quality electronics and an anchor; you have quality electronics so I would opt for the Power Pole.

You want to spend money to add value to your boat?  Sounds like a bad investment to me. 

I won't say never, but it's extremely rare that your "improvement" adds a value equal to or more than the cost.

It usually the other way around.  A thousand dollar item to add value will add somewhat less than the thousand dollars you spent to get it.

If the Humminbird you want will help you find more fish, that's the thing to get.  If not, then get the power pole since it may help you catch more fish because it will hold you in position once you find them.

I don't think he's trying to spend money to make money.

I want to buy a new toy that will help with my bass fishing as well as adding a little resale value to my Triton. ...

FWIW, If you haven't checked out the numerous new stick systems that are coming out for flats anglers, they're not too shabby, at a fraction of the cost of the of Power Poles.

http://www.wanganchor.com/multimedia/

You want to spend money to add value to your boat? Sounds like a bad investment to me.

I won't say never, but it's extremely rare that your "improvement" adds a value equal to or more than the cost.

It usually the other way around. A thousand dollar item to add value will add somewhat less than the thousand dollars you spent to get it.

If I was to add something to my boat as an investment I would have $100 bills wrapped around my rig under a layer of gel coat.  Even that wouldn't work, since nobody would want to buy something that stupid.  Not really trying to add dollar value, just something that may help it sell faster in a few years when I'm ready to upgrade.

I think what you're asking is which adds more "curb appeal."

It would depend on the potential buyer. For me, the electronics would be more of a draw than the Power Pole, but I fish deeper than most. I will admit, the Power Poles look pretty sweet....

As a Lake Erie guy I am not in water less than 10' very often and would rarely use the power pole. Finding small piles of rocks or rock/sand/mud transitions in 10'-35'? Now that is something that could be most useful! 

Power Pole would be very useful if you fish shallow water often.

How many days of the year do you fish for spawning bass?

How many times are you on the water and need/want a sonar unit?

A potentially good alternative to the Power Pole are the new Minn Kotas with the  iPilot option.  It is a GPS based system that will hold you in the same position (+- five feet) regardless of wind or current.  I recently installed it on my boat, but haven't had the chance to put it through its paces.  I can imagine though, that if one is in very shallow water, the constant on/off of the TM, trying to maintain position, would stir up a lot of silt.  If you primarily fish very shallow water, the Power Pole or an anchor would probably be the best option.

If it were me, I'd get the Power Pole. You already have quality electronics.

I'd go power pole.   I really want one for my boat but I just can't swing it this year.  Maybe next year.

A potentially good alternative to the Power Pole are the new Minn Kotas with the iPilot option. It is a GPS based system that will hold you in the same position (+- five feet) regardless of wind or current. I recently installed it on my boat, but haven't had the chance to put it through its paces. I can imagine though, that if one is in very shallow water, the constant on/off of the TM, trying to maintain position, would stir up a lot of silt. If you primarily fish very shallow water, the Power Pole or an anchor would probably be the best option.

Hey mike make sure to post a review when you've found some time. The whole ipilot intrigues me.

sell one of your kids and buy 'em both :-? ;D

I just added a Power Pole to my Skeeter a few weeks ago and I love it.  We have had a lot of wind in Florida the last few weeks and I drift along an area I want to work and deploy the pole every fifty feet or so.  You can move the boat in an arch around the pole with the tolling motor on low and almost no effort--makes pinpoint presentations a snap.  To count on a good deployment of the 8' pole you need to be in about 6' of water or less.

I also live in Michigan but I rarely find myself in water less than 10-15 feet fishing for bass, both LM and SM.

I would go for better electronics and network them.

I'd go with the 998.

sell one of your kids and buy 'em both :-? ;D

No kids to sell.....But I have a wife I'd be willing to auction off!  With that income I should be able to get a powerpole and the 1197!  ;D

sell one of your kids and buy 'em both :-? ;D

No kids to sell.....But I have a wife I'd be willing to auction off! With that income I should be able to get a powerpole and the 1197! ;D

Careful man. You may find yourself living in the boat with no pole to hold it in place...

sell one of your kids and buy 'em both :-? ;D

No kids to sell.....But I have a wife I'd be willing to auction off! With that income I should be able to get a powerpole and the 1197! ;D

;D ;D