Power Pole vs. Minn Kota Talon

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on January 31, 2011 at 10:08pm

Wow... that is interesting. I still haven't been able to put mine to a good test yet. Here's another video for those who may be interested:

 

Permalink Reply by Mike Floyd on February 1, 2011 at 3:04am

Looks like the Talon doesn't want to set when the boat is being pushed by the wind. I believe both the cost and the weight of the 2 units is similar, you might be better going with the power pole.

Permalink Reply by Shawn O'Connell on February 1, 2011 at 5:36am

Well that 1st video is definitely concerning. It's appears to be a pretty impartial test so I'm not sure what to think.

 

I like how fast the Talon is and the fact it goes straight down. This I think would be nice for tight quarters. Hopefully Jordan can play with his a bit and let you know how it works. I've heard that once in a while they get some wind on Lake Washington.

 

Apparently you haven't been told that you have to fish NWB out of a canoe this year and you and your partner are only allowed to use snoopy rods:)

Permalink Reply by Mike Matkowski on February 1, 2011 at 6:40am

Dan,

I have been researching these a little myself, primarily the Talon.   Some of my thoughts for what they are worth: I am not sure how much I would actually use an anchoring system throughout the year, and if I want one hanging on my boat when not in use.  I haven't actually fished from a boat that had them, so I may be underestimating their value for the waters I typically fish. I plan on talking with Don Hogue about his thoughts on the two Power Pole system, which based on that video, mat be required to actually stop a boat soon enough in Tri-cities' winds or the Reach current.  As far as the Talon, I haven't yet confirmed if I can mount them on my hydraulic jackplate, with their bolt on system. I think I would choose the 6' Talon, which should mount about engine height, because I think the 8' may hit my garage going in and out. I also looked at the 8' mounted on the bracket they provide and I have concerns over the stability of the unit, it shakes a lot.  I am also cofident my two young kids would break a few poles on either system while fishing off the back deck. Talon doesn't yet have the "quick release" that the Power Pole has.  Talon appears much easier to install and I think that it being all electric, is a plus, maintainence would be easier than hydraulics.  Being easy to install, the Talon is an easy aftermarket addition.  The Talon is offering competition to Power Pole, so price for the Power Pole will likely drop. I don't like buying new products till the kinks are worked out, so at this point, I am still unconvinced I want to spend the money.  

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on February 1, 2011 at 2:19pm

These are my experiences based on using them since May of last year... I have the 8' poles w/remotes.  I feel they hold well in almost any situation I've been in.  The shallower, the better in terms of holding power.  In water deeper than 6' you can't have 2' waves if you are on a rocky bottom.  In water less than 6', it holds well in strong current.  They hold well in rock.  With rocky bottoms and current you do have to plan where you want to put them down because obviously they won't go through the rock.  They will find a place to grab pretty quick.  They will make some noise while they are "finding" themselves in the rocks.  If anything, they hold better than I thought they would.  I can't recall any situations where I was let down - thinking they would hold when they didn't.  I wouldn't say I've been in any raging current (like you find up the Reach) with them, but strong, steady current.  I have used them up the Reach and they work well in and along current seams and eddy areas. 

 

I found uses for them all year round.  The obvious ones where in launching or pulling in to go get the truck, and using for bed fishing.  They changed how I would approach flipping and pitching cover.  I found myself being more thoughtful in how I approached things, looking for the best angles, etc.   They changed how I would fish shallow flats, and roadbeds.  I've heard (read) some guys say they wouldn't use them much certain times of year because they don't fish water less 8' deep in the summer and fall.  What I found was I began looking for shallow water nearby to put the poles down and still fish something deeper.  Obviously, that doesn't work all of the time.  

 

They are really cool to use at Potholes, and can totally change how you go about your day.  Even little things like messing around in the boat, looking for baits, eating, putting in at Blythe without having to stick you boat in the rocks, camping on a dune, etc. 

 

I found myself forgetting I had them at times, then kicking myself for not using them in a certain situation.  I think there is a pretty big adjustment to them, similar to when guys first starting using electric motors in the ways it will change how you fish.  While I used them a ton, I think I am still learning how to use them. 

 

I was worried about them fitting in my garage too, thinking I might have to partially drop them every time I backed in, but they fit with about 3 inches to spare.

 

Any questions that anyone has, I'll be happy to share. 

 

Mike Matkowski said:

Dan,

I have been researching these a little myself, primarily the Talon.   Some of my thoughts for what they are worth: I am not sure how much I would actually use an anchoring system throughout the year, and if I want one hanging on my boat when not in use.  I haven't actually fished from a boat that had them, so I may be underestimating their value for the waters I typically fish. I plan on talking with Don Hogue about his thoughts on the two Power Pole system, which based on that video, mat be required to actually stop a boat soon enough in Tri-cities' winds or the Reach current.  As far as the Talon, I haven't yet confirmed if I can mount them on my hydraulic jackplate, with their bolt on system. I think I would choose the 6' Talon, which should mount about engine height, because I think the 8' may hit my garage going in and out. I also looked at the 8' mounted on the bracket they provide and I have concerns over the stability of the unit, it shakes a lot.  I am also cofident my two young kids would break a few poles on either system while fishing off the back deck. Talon doesn't yet have the "quick release" that the Power Pole has.  Talon appears much easier to install and I think that it being all electric, is a plus, maintainence would be easier than hydraulics.  Being easy to install, the Talon is an easy aftermarket addition.  The Talon is offering competition to Power Pole, so price for the Power Pole will likely drop. I don't like buying new products till the kinks are worked out, so at this point, I am still unconvinced I want to spend the money.  

Permalink Reply by Dan Jensen on February 1, 2011 at 10:08pm

Mike and Don, thanks for the input, I really appreciate all of the information.  At this point I am pretty optimistic about the Talon, since it is such a new product there are so few user reviews available.  On the other hand the Power Pole has a ton of reviews and most are positive!!  My biggest concern is the detachable aspect of the Talon.  I just can't see the tall 8'4" (the pics of this model I have seen show them standing up taller than the big motor) model being able to withstand more than one 40 mile run from Mcnary to Columbia Point with 4-5 footers.  Don, maybe you can shed more light on this, how does it handle running the river when the wind kicks up?? (i.e. I feel like when I looked back they would be shaking back and forth so bad I would expect them to not make the run).  My new boat went into production tonight and will be finished around the 24th of February.  I decided to hold off on a shallow water anchor for the time being.  I agree with you Mike, it would be a great winter project to add the Talons later on when there is more information available as this is alot of money to spend!!  Don, I agree they would absolutely change the way you fish, I can a shallow water anchor at Potholes, Moses, Banks, Lake Washington, Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille to name a few would be awesome!!   I believe we have a lot of lakes around that these would be beneficial.  Again, thanks for your input and I will see you at Banks here in, lets say, next month!!  Oh, and Shawn, all we use are snoopy poles, they work great!!  Thanks again guys.  DanJ  

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on February 2, 2011 at 7:12am

With the Power Poles I've run pretty hard in some big stuff here and haven't had a problem with anything coming loose.  I do check the nuts/bolts when I get off the water and wipe down, but I haven't noticed anythiing alarming.  There is quite a bit of flex to them when they are upright, so I was skeptical about that at first.

Dan Jensen said:

Mike and Don, thanks for the input, I really appreciate all of the information.  At this point I am pretty optimistic about the Talon, since it is such a new product there are so few user reviews available.  On the other hand the Power Pole has a ton of reviews and most are positive!!  My biggest concern is the detachable aspect of the Talon.  I just can't see the tall 8'4" (the pics of this model I have seen show them standing up taller than the big motor) model being able to withstand more than one 40 mile run from Mcnary to Columbia Point with 4-5 footers.  Don, maybe you can shed more light on this, how does it handle running the river when the wind kicks up?? (i.e. I feel like when I looked back they would be shaking back and forth so bad I would expect them to not make the run).  My new boat went into production tonight and will be finished around the 24th of February.  I decided to hold off on a shallow water anchor for the time being.  I agree with you Mike, it would be a great winter project to add the Talons later on when there is more information available as this is alot of money to spend!!  Don, I agree they would absolutely change the way you fish, I can a shallow water anchor at Potholes, Moses, Banks, Lake Washington, Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille to name a few would be awesome!!   I believe we have a lot of lakes around that these would be beneficial.  Again, thanks for your input and I will see you at Banks here in, lets say, next month!!  Oh, and Shawn, all we use are snoopy poles, they work great!!  Thanks again guys.  DanJ