powerpole vs spot lock

ive heard many say they're ditching their power poles because they have spot lock pin point what have you, im thinking about adding poles but im also going to upgrade the trolling motor so my thoughts are with poles i can spend less on a trolling motor but for less money than buying both i can get a better motor with spot lock but am i just going to needlessly drain my batteries ? thoughts and opinions welcome ...

you can get a used 80 ultrex for 2000$ if I couldn't afford both id probably get an ultrex but I fish a lot of lakes that 10 feet off shore is 80 feet of water. I bought my fortrex off a guy who solely fishes lake ontario and was selling his poles and and motor for an ultrex. People can't really answer that question for you, you'd have to really look at what you plan on doing and how often you will be in 12 feet of water or less, though I think talons go to 15 feet now.

In my opinion, if I'm doing a lot of very shallow water (less than 5') fishing, I'd much prefer to use the PP/Talon anchor so I'm not creating a ton of noise clipping rocks or cutting through underwater vegetation while pitching/flipping for spooky fish. If my quarry is in 10-15' with little to no underwater obstructions, or I'm mostly going after deeper fish that a PP/Talon would be useless and only occasionally venturing into shallow water, the upgraded motor would be my choice. It's a judgement call, based primarily on your predominant fishing style and depth range.

I would buy the ultrex first, I have poles but have been saving for an ultrex for a while now. I hope to buy one next spring.

I have asked myself the same question... I purchased a MinnKota Terrova with ipilot which has many awesome features that allow angler to concentrate on casts and screens not worrying about speed or direction. I often use the advanced auto pilot so I can work, then when I mark and/or catch I just push button to spot lock at GPS location to continue working the area again while not worrying about moving off the spot...it doesn't hold you tight like the poles do but I see more advantages in a good trolling motor. The poles look cool but I wonder about that point when you set them down... are they loud? Do they spook when penetrating ground?? And how often do I stay in 1 spot for more than a few minutes?? I do see an advantage in heavy chop and currents where these conditions can drain batteries quickly but sitting still in chop in kawarthas could lead to trouble and less action in my opinion..

Imo poles are for bass guys that fish heavy cover. I've dropped them on a spot and caught many bass in pitching distance. In very heavy weeds not running your trolling motor can be the difference between getting bit and getting zeroed.

I would say it depends on your fishing style. Out in the deep spot luck hands down but if you are in shallow pads or slop I think it would struggle especially on a windy day. U may even have to stop to get weeds off the trolling motor which would slow it down even more.

Just halfway through the year I have upgraded to a talon and it has been a life savour in these tournies during the wind it just trying to stick in a spot that I want to work quietly and carefully.

Up to u in the end but I say search kijiji for a cheap used talon.

great debate! I have a PP and use it very rarely - I use it mostly to keep me in place at sand bars so my kids can swim - however, I am a smallie angler and rarely if ever chase largies - if I was, I would probably use it more - I so wish I had the ipilot!
This weekend I fished deep river, 2 other boats had ipilots and stayed locked in on a spot in heavy currents - amazing. I used a drift sock!
I wouldn't use this method for large mouth in deep cover - too loud. The PP is very quiet on non intrusive....
My 2 cents!

you and i have a very similar style and mike and i often use you in our debate about better trolling motor or poles and same/bigger motor because after seeing what you've been able to accomplish with the poles and how we tend to drain batteries and yes im really tired of cleaning salad off the prop

yeah i don't really venture to far past 12 ft deep but i can also pitch pretty far accurately i simply want to hear merits of one the other or both i can see a need for it the way i/we fish but am i going to spend the $$ to only use them once an outing 3 times a year where as a stronger trolling motor has already been determined as a need so its being budgeted for anyway. do buy a 2000$ trolling motor with spot lock or do i buy a 1000$ motor and 1000-2500$ pole ?
these are the questions im asking myself ultimately i want both i love having options but im a libra (very indecisive ) so i want to make the wisest investment possible

I have spot lock and its amazing, but it doesn't anchor the boat like a PP. The boat will spin to face heading into wind/current. Its also not as precise. Also if your in shallow water your dealing with with weeds and stumps.

Id say it depends on the fishing style. Im out in deeper water a lot so I like the spot lock, but if I fished LMB all day in shallow water Id want something else.

Great topic, I was considering PP but now I think I’ll stick with my trolling motor, I’ve got the Minkota Terrova 2012 model 60 inch shaft and 80 lb trust, the spot lock is a great feature but the boat does sway left to right in high winds with the spot lock enabled, my question is, Would the cable driven Ultrex spot lock be more precise in holding on the spot than the electric driven Terrova ? Thanks everyone.

Best anchor to target largies in the summer in my opinion are thick lillies 😉 Won't usually find smallies in there so just let the lillies hold you lol just kidding sort of.. but really it mostly depends on your budget and main target Species.. a pro Bass Angler or aspiring should probably have all the tools to be successful but for recreation, budget is #1 factor

you and i have a very similar style and mike and i often use you in our debate about better trolling motor or poles and same/bigger motor because after seeing what you've been able to accomplish with the poles and how we tend to drain batteries and yes im really tired of cleaning salad off the prop

I will guarentee you that you will start doing better with a talon. U do fish the same type of stuff as me and will notice a difference.

It helped me on that tough day on chemong, as I was able to anchor down and really hit a certain area.
I also find that if u get a tangle or catch a fish even while not anchored u just anchor down and then dont get pushed off the spot. U pole up and continue catching fish without missing a beat.

you and i have a very similar style and mike and i often use you in our debate about better trolling motor or poles and same/bigger motor because after seeing what you've been able to accomplish with the poles and how we tend to drain batteries and yes im really tired of cleaning salad off the prop

I will guarentee you that you will start doing better with a talon. U do fish the same type of stuff as me and will notice a difference.

It helped me on that tough day on chemong, as I was able to anchor down and really hit a certain area.
I also find that if u get a tangle or catch a fish even while not anchored u just anchor down and then dont get pushed off the spot. U pole up and continue catching fish without missing a beat.

thats kinda what i wanted to hear i just feel like you can have too much trolling motor (i feel the same about fish finders too) its the holding one spot shallow without making too much noice specially in the wind chopped shallows