My Ultrex has saved me quite a bit of money by helping me retrieve lures hung on wood. I get right over the top of the lure, some as deep as 12-15 ft., hit spot lock and use my lure knocker to knock it loose. It also comes in handy when fishing brush piles to keep me on spot especially when it's windy, however I couldn't truthfully say I've caught more fish since I've had it but it has made fishing easier. I haven't experienced any malfunctions with my Ultrex but I've only had it a little over 2 years. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I don't get that you would rather have none than one?? I have a 10 ft PP on a 20' Center Console bay boat and use it just as you do. I beach and power down every trip and never have had a single problem with one PP not holding my boat right where I leave it. I use it along with spot lock in shallow water if I want to keep from swinging around. Doesn't work every time but the times it does is welcome. It only takes me a push button to try. Sometimes I PP with TM stowed in shallow water to save my TM from banging on rocks. Works great most of the time.

I blew a hydraulic hose and was without my PP for several trips and I missed it terribly.

A .45 would be great but i'd rather have a .22 than no gun at all.

I had a set on 2 different boats. Bought a new boat that had only 1. Figured I would not notice a difference. Took me a couple of months of using one to make me want another. Hated doing curckes or spinning away from where I wanted the boat to stay. Added the second one. As I stated based on my own experience I would rather have none than one. Not saying this to be rude but it doesn't have to make sense to anyone but me.

This is correct. I have only one, too. Though, I would much rather have 2 and just pull straight into the direction I want to fish and not have to take into account wind swing.

Splitting hairs...You’re gonna hang me out about a few bucks? I didn’t say one decision over the other was bad or good. The point stands.

+1

Two poles are definitely better than one but one is better than none, you just have to strategically plan how and when to deploy the one pole, the wind is your friend.

Exactly my experience. I’d survive with one but I wouldn’t like it.

teo Is better. You won’t pin in the winds or rock way back and forth. One is better than none. But, I would never have just one after having two on my last two boats.

They weren't fishing out in 20-25mph winds I bet either but yet here we are and can certainly do it with power poles.

If you have $5000 for an Ultrex you will have $2500-3000 left over, if you have $5000 for a set of Power Poles you will have $1500-2000 left over. That is significantly more than a few bucks. At least in my world it is.

Point is times and technology change. EVERYONE fishing today from a bassboat enjoys some type of new technology or gear that was not around even 10 years ago. That being said bass fishing is only as expensive as a person chooses to make it. You can fish on most any budget if you truly want to fish. I spent many days fishing from the shore and boat ramps at Lake Bridgeport and stock ponds before I ever had spare money to spend on a boat. Had some older boats and caught fish from them just fine. Have used gear from Wal Mart, garage sales and any place where I could scrounge it up for cheap. If things change tommowrrow I could go back to that and still find happiness. I just love fishing. These days I am just able to afford a little more than back then so I allow myself some luxuries.

It blew a hydraulic line on RayRob and I couldn't get it back up by myself. Some really cool guy about my age 64 helped me get it up at the IDB park, helped me get my boat loaded and up the ramp, gave me a gatorade. I figured I'd be tossing the whole thing in a dumpster at the boat ramp. Power Pole sent me everything I needed to rebuild it. It gives me a pole to hold onto while I take a whizz. Teenagers think it looks cool going down the road. My wife thinks I use it as a stripper pole in party cove. It came with the restore project hurricane survivor boat so I don't have any real buyer's remorse, I am too cheap to buy a second one, and I don't wish to see you on Bridgeport doing something really cool with your's and get me thinking I need a second one. That would be rude.

I will say Power Pole customer service is amazing. They get it right. If you see me on Bridgeport stop and introduce yourself. Always nice to meet good folks.

I was fishing alone in a 20-25 mph wind catching fish 3-6ft deep on wind blown banks. I bet i wouldn't of caught half the fish i did without power poles, power poles work best with the wind at your back and ultrex works best into the wind.

I sold my Talon and replaced it with an Ultrex. Best move I’ve ever made.
Don’t really bed fish much any more, so the Ultrex holds great on points or in windy conditions.
I’ve used it as shallow as 3 feet.