Enhanced Charges

I just put in the order for my next boat, and while I wasn’t completely surprised by the amount it’s going to cost, 1996 Pete Robbins would have thought the number unlikely if not impossible. Part of the increase is just the compounding of inflation, and another part of it is that materials and features have been substantially enhanced – the 2 year-old boat that I bought in ’96 had twin 4- or 5-inch black-and-white screens with no GPS, let alone side-imaging. It had no jackplate. I didn’t even know what Power Poles were at the time. 

In other words, we’ve somehow taken things that were considered unimaginable pipe dreams or off-the-chart indulgences and turned many of them into standard equipment. No one has ever done it as far as I know, but if you took a 2022 bare bones 17’10” tub with a basic 150 on it, I’d bet the price tag wouldn’t look all that unreasonable compared with same concept from the mid-90s. 

So it’s through that lens that I made my order. I spend a lot of time in and around the pros’ boats, so I know which technology is out there and what it can do, but at the same time I try to remember how it is that I fish. There are plenty of available items that just won’t help me as much as they’ll help others. For example, if I were to put five screens on the boat, I’d probably end up with more wiring problems than extra catches. 

Nevertheless, the one true indulgence that I’ve made (assuming that I don’t amend the order again) is the Power Pole Charge system. Even though I won’t have four or five screens, I’ll still have just about as much computing power as the 1986 Space Shuttle and that takes power. So do modern engines. If your batteries aren’t always in tiptop shape, or you don’t have confidence in them, fishing tends to suck. Every pro I’ve asked about the Charge says that it’s worth every penny (including those of them who’ve paid for it out of pocket). Besides, I’ve been repeatedly impressed with Power Pole’s service over the nearly 12 years I’ve owned their products. My relationship with them does not extend beyond the fact that I’ve purchased a total of six of their poles (with two more and the Charge power station on the way) but they’ve consistently impressed me. 

Of course, my only regret is that they haven’t yet introduced their long-rumored trolling motor. I’ve been happy with the Ultrex I have on my 2018 boat, but if Power Pole had one too I’d have to give it a hard look.