What Are the Two Poles on the Back of a Bass Boat

For years I had observed what I later learned to be Power-Poles on the back of bass boats at nearly every lake I fished. It got me thinking that many fishermen likely don't know what they are and what they do. So I set forth to research Power-Poles and provide a detailed article about my findings.

What is a Power-Pole for a bass boat? A Power-Pole is a shallow-water anchor system which utilizes both electric drive systems and hydraulic pumps to lock a bottom in place in shallow water under 10 feet deep depending on the size of the model.  Let's take a much closer look at these to determine its benefits and why it is so popular among bass anglers.

Power-Pole is a company that designs these shallow-water anchoring systems. From what I can gather, they pioneered this field of anchoring and it has really caught on because it provides a much steadier and faster-deployed anchoring than your standard rope anchor ever could.

With the push of a button, you could go from a slow drift to completely anchored in less than 10 feet. Unlike rope anchors which stretch way out and become an obstacle for fighting fish, a power pole extends only slightly behind the boat.

Many fishermen install two Power-Pole anchor-systems on the back of their boats to completely lock themselves into the ground and provide a very stable surface for hours of casting an area. Plenty of fishermen get by just fine with one single unit, but I've read a lot of benefits to having two.

A Power-Pole is designed to be a rapidly deployable, stabilizing platform to give bass anglers as much control over their boat and it's approach as possible. Since most models are 10 feet and smaller, you will not be able to successfully deploy a Power-Pole in water greater than 10 feet.

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What is a Power-Pole on a Bass Boat?

What is it?

The Power-Pole is both a company and an anchoring system they manufacture which is designed for shallow-water (under 10 feet deep) anchoring using hydraulic and electric components.

What is a Power-Pole Used For?

Anchoring for Prime Casting

If a fisherman drifts upon a location they would like to spend a while fishing, they could drop the anchor and have a steady platform from which to cast for hours. Such an example could be the edge of a weedline, some sunken timber, or tossing frogs up over a bed of lily pads.

Unlike a standard rope anchor which stretches, drags, and twists the boat, the Power-Pole unit will lock your boat in place facing the way you want it and you can fish the whole area until you're ready to move on.

Power-Pole Sportsman II 8′ Shallow-Water Anchor

Anchoring Once You Hook One Fish

A big issue with a lot of bass fishermen is when they hook up with their first fish, the boat keeps drifting and by the time they land the fish, their boat is on top of the hole they just hooked up in. If you catch one bass from a piece of cover, there are likely more hungry fish waiting to strike your next cast.

The good thing about having a shallow-water anchoring system like the Power-Pole is once you hook up, you could drop the hydraulic hooks and within a second be firmly anchored into the ground and not drift over the fish you want to catch.

This will save a fishermen time and energy from having to back up to a safe casting range. It also prevents the boat from drifting over the fish and potentially spooking them.

Anchoring for Self-Launching at Ramp

This is for fishermen who are launching boats solo. Fishermen usually need to launch their boat then tie their boat off to the dock or the bank to go park their truck. They do this to prevent their boat from drifting away from the bank before they have time to get back from parking the truck. This also works just as well when you are done for the day and need to anchor the boat while you prepare to load it back on the trailer.

Instead of having to tie the boat to the shore, you could quickly deploy the anchor system and lock it in place safely until you get back to the water. Obviously, this isn't mandatory as boaters have been doing this successfully for years before these shallow-water anchor systems came around but it does make it easier.

Are Power-Poles on all New Bass Boats

No, Power-Poles do not come standard on new bass boats. They are a separate piece of equipment that must be purchased separately. Many dealerships will install one or two Power-Poles onto your new bass boat for an additional cost plus the price of the anchor system.

Is a Power-Pole Necessary for Bass Fishing?

Absolutely not. As I said, boaters and bass fishermen alike have made due for decades and even centuries before these anchor systems came along. You could just drift along or use a single or double rope-anchor set up for great effect. Power-Poles just offer convenience for bass fishermen with a little extra to money to spend and a nice bass boat worth a little extra gear.

Power-Poles just make bass fishing a bit easier and ultimately lead to catching more fish in the long run than having to deal with minor inconveniences associated with running over fishing holes before you are ready to cast and dealing with clumsy anchor lines.

I think power poles can elevate your bass fishing to the next level. They offer unbeatable fast anchoring and boat control to allow you to systematically dissect a patch of water and catch as many fish from each spot as possible. Of course, they aren't needed, but they sure help. To check out the Power-Pole, click this link to view it on Amazon.

How Much Does a Power-Pole for a Bass Boat Cost

Prices will vary and fluctuate but you can generally expect to pay $1000-$1400 per unit. As an example, on Amazon, an 8-foot model is selling for $1300. There is nothing cheap about these. They surely are an investment but if you can justify them with more fish and easier fishing, I think they would be worth the money in the long-run.

If you don't have that kind of disposable income to spend, a regular anchor can be bought for less than $40 and work just fine.

Can You Use a Power Pole in Moving Water

I was a little concerned about this myself when doing the research. I found some videos of fishermen anchoring into fast-moving rivers just fine. I know if I spent that kind of money on machinery for my boat, I wouldn't trust it to the tension of fast-moving water but apparently, it can handle it. I certainly would not trust it in power flood currents but in moving water, I think it can handle just fine.

What Are the Two Poles on the Back of a Bass Boat

Source: https://freshwaterfishingadvice.com/power-pole-bass-boat/#:~:text=Many%20fishermen%20install%20two%20Power,hours%20of%20casting%20an%20area.

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