here's the thing...get the best thing that matches your style of fishing. Having a 10ft blade isn't going to impact the fishing ability for 99% of people fishing out of the back of the boat. Know how I know? I've bass fished for 8 years out of a 20ft bay boat with a center console with a 6ft antenna on it. You get used to watching where you cast really easily. If you forget, you only do it once.

I know the post is about Power Poles but I have 8s now and had 12 Talons on my last 3 boats and man do I miss the Talons. 8s will only hold in about 5 foot of water and if big waves not that much. My Talons would hold in 12 foot even in big waves and way easier to use around the brush and grass. Next boat will have Talons!

Thank you everyone for your input. Keep the comments coming.

Insuranceman,

I've was debating the Talons vs Power Poles but from what I've been able to research, the power poles are more reliable. I would probably be very happy with Talons as well.

photofishin,

I agree, for most situations the 10 foot blades won't be a problem. They could be a problem for backing into the garage, going under low bridges and be a minor obstruction for someone fishing out of the back of the boat. I just need to figure out which size will work best for me. Going with 2 Blade 10' vs 2 Sportmans 8' is a $1400 difference as well. I have spot lock on my trolling motor for deeper water and I've been very happy with it. The downsides to the blades is 13" taller obstruction, about 10lbs extra each and extra $1400. I'm still trying to decide if the costs of the 10' Blades are worth the ability to anchor 2 feet deeper? I'll probably decide this next week.

I have a 2011 8' Talon on my Tracker and 2 x 2016 Power Pole 10' Blades on my Triton. If I were to buy a new boat (which isn't going to happen), I would buy 2 of the 8' Talons. Talon and Power Pole are both great products but I prefer the Talon for the following reasons. No need for 2 hydraulic pumps in the battery compartment, it is very easy to disconnect and remove the Talon if you need to have it serviced, and it seems to hold me in place slightly better than the power poles. I've had a couple of minor issue with my Talon in the last 9 years but it was extremely easy to remove and fix. I took it to a warranty service center in Houston and they had it fixed both times in 1 day. If I were to get power poles again I definitely would go for the 8' over the 10' and probably would just get the Sportsman II instead of the blade. With spot lock you really don't need the extra length and you really have to pay attention not to hit them when you pull into unfamiliar places. Unless you have an extra large garage door or storage you will have to remember to lower them partially each time to put them in and out of the garage. I have to admit I have not played with the newer Talons but I have to imagine they are really great compared to the original model I have.

Just my opinion, this is coming from someone with a bay/bass boat.

I have an 8' Pro Series II on my boat. I'll say, if I had a bass boat, then I'd go with the 15' Talons. In the bay, the Power Pole is fine because it doesn't get over 8ft anyway 99% of the time.. On a lake though, the more the better IMO