I have a 18'8" Ranger 188VS with a 175 Merc and 23. It seems my hole-shot and getting on plane have suffered tremendously after installing a Talon shallow water anchor. I have transom brackets for two Talons, but running one at the moment. When I slam the throttle all the way forward (motor trimmed down), my bow goes way up in the air and takes forever to go on plane.

What can I do to improve my hole-shot and getting on plane quicker?

Do you have a jackplate? Install a holeshot plate

common problem when adding anchors.

1) 6" plate.(with hole shot plate)
2) make sure the talons are mounted as high as possible
3) go to to a 4 blade prop, or a "tuned" 3 blade

4) move some weight back up front (this will also slow boat down at w.o.t.)

these will help.

No sir, no JackPlate installed

No. 2 and 4. I can check today after work. Sent you a PM on the other two.

i replied to your pm.

i can get ya fixed up

Is this high enough. the gap is from the "step" on ranger boats.

I moved my talons all the way up, as high as they would go. Also removed 1 pvs plug from my tempest prop. Hole shot is great now.

Will try that. As soon as I can get out to the lake.

The mounting brackets for the Talons are like big wings that dig into the water when trying to get on plane thus creating hole shot issues. Like said above make sure the brackets are all the way up. I have heard some people have actually used power pole brackets to help reduce the drag.

Tommy. The transom mounting brackets are pre-drilled and I could only fit it to a specific set of holes when mounting. There is no up/down adjustments, except for the Talon itself. On the other hand, the jackplate mounting brackets do offer some adjustment.

You are correct if you are using the first brackets you show. Make sure that the angle of the arm is all the way back as far as they can go.

Tommy. So move the arm as close to the transom as possible?

Images below.

Cool. Thanks!!