To the OP, it's kind of like Power Windows in your car. Do you really "need" them?

I have twin 8' PP's on my boat. I would say the percentage of time I actually use them is maybe 15% but when you need them they are worth their weight in Gold. Could I live without them??

Not now. It is a luxury on a boat no question. Would I buy a new boat without them? No way.

^^^^^^ Dead on.

Power poles here, they will definitely help you catch more fish, no doubt about it, if you are a shallow water fisherman.

I want PP or a talon but money is an issue and I would rather have the spotlock myself. I was unaware of the improved spotlock coming until I saw your post. I'm holding off until then to buy one.

I'm sure either brand of anchors will help catch more fish. Many times I have been on them shallow and got blown too close scaring off the fish on an active shallow area. I just wish they weren't so dang expensive or I'd have them now.

Thanks for all of your insight fellow TFF''ers You convinced me. Now all I have to do is research which brand to get, sell my current boat and go pick out the new one in December!

https://universalmania.com/minn-kota-1810406-10ft-talon-white-anchor/

This site has good prices fyi.

I think you've answered your own question.

I use mine ALL the time. They are great! BTW- I went with 10ft Blades. I haven't been sorry one single time.

^^^^^This and I also recommend air conditioned seats in your truck

Got by with these "poor man shallow water anchors" for 30 years. Do like my Power Poles though!

I have a similar boat with a ZX190. I wrestled with the question for some time. I recently added a 8' Talon. This is the newer, 3 stage version. It is very small and sits lower than the motor so it's not in the way. I lost maybe 1 MPH of speed. Is it worth it? I think so. I fish by myself a lot so it's like an extra hand when I launch or if I need to leave the trolling motor pedal. I have fished in places with current that I would have had a hard time fishing without it. It's small enough not to get in the way of my partner. I could have gone with a 10' and still might.

I would say yes, especially if you are financing the boat and can add them in. If you buy one..... Buy 2. I will tell you that 2 down holds you fairly stable, 1 will make you a nice pivot point.

I'll give you another perspective. I had two 8-foot Talons on my last boat. They worked great and I have nothing but good things to say about the Talon product. But I just found that I didn't use them as much as I thought I would. In the spring time, I used them more but outside of that I was using them more at the dock than anything else. And even then, I could have done without them.

Also, 8-foot anchors will hold you only in about 7 foot or less of water. I fish Amistad and Alan Henry mostly, and I am not in 7-foot of water other than during the spawn.

My only advice is to get two and then get the longest two you can find. Talon makes 12 footers. If you get 10-footers, there will be times you wish you had the twelves. If 14 footers come out, I would want those.

So think about your fishing habits. If you are a bank beater year-around, then go for it. If you fish deeper except for the spawn, spend your money on the very best electronics. And if you go with anchors, I would get the longest ones that you can.

On my new boat, I opted to not have any installed. There have been a couple of times that I would have used them, but I haven't felt like not having them has cost me any fish.