If you've spent any time on the water recently, you know that getting a livescope boat mount pole is basically the "cheat code" that serious anglers are inclined on these days. It's one thing to have the particular fancy sonar technology, but if you're nevertheless mounting your transducer to the barrel associated with your trolling engine, you're probably missing out on fifty percent the fun. We learned this the hard way right after a season of fighting my Place Lock while trying to track a school of crappie that refused to remain put. Every time the motor kicked over to maintain the boat in place, my screen proceeded to go into a dizzying spin.
The move to a good independent pole program isn't just regarding spending more cash on gear—it's regarding control. Once you split your eyes (the transducer) from your foot (the trolling motor), the whole sport changes. You may point your sonar where exactly you want it to look, irrespective of which method the wind is usually blowing your boat or how hard your motor is working to stay on a waypoint.
Why the Independent Pole is usually a Game-Changer
Most people begin with a trolling motor mount due to the fact it's simple usually comes in the box. But here's the issue: when you're on a windy time and you participate your GPS core, that motor will be going to become zig-zagging back plus forth to keep you pinned. In the event that your Livescope is attached to that will motor, your approach to the screen will likely be jumping all more than the place. It's incredibly frustrating to see a massive bass on a stump, only regarding the motor in order to swing thirty degrees to the left, leaving a person staring at empty water.
An ardent livescope boat mount pole resolves this by allowing you to manually aim the transducer. You may keep your eyes locked on that clean pile while the particular boat does whatever it needs to do to stay stable. Plus, you get much better "feel" for where you're looking. Most associated with these poles possess a handle or a pointer on best, which means you know specifically which direction the particular beam is firing without needing to guess centered on the trolling motor head's orientation.
Finding the particular Right Just right Your own Boat
Deciding where to bolt this thing straight down is probably the most stressful part of the procedure. You don't desire it when it comes to your own casting deck, yet it needs to be accessible good enough that you aren't reaching over the particular gunwale like the gymnast every time you want to check a spot.
Most guys are usually mounting their livescope boat mount pole on the particular bow, usually on the opposite aspect of the trolling motor. This amounts the deck the bit and gives you a clear workspace. If your boat includes a track system, you're in good fortune. Utilizing a track-mounted foundation is really a lifesaver because it enables you to glide the whole assembly forward or backward until it feels "just right. " If you're drilling straight to the fiber-glass, measure three times and cut once—or better yet, have a buddy hold the pole while you stand within your usual fishing spot to see if it feels natural.
Materials and Toughness
Not every rods are created equivalent. You'll see a lot of DIY versions made from PVC or thin aluminum, and while they could work with regard to a weekend, these people usually don't last. The vibration in the boat moving through the water, even in low speeds, may cause a lot of "jitter" in your screen if the pole isn't stiff good enough.
Top quality poles are usually made from thick-walled aluminium or composite components. You need something that will doesn't flex whenever you're moving at a decent clip. If the pole vibrates, your picture gets grainy plus distorted. It's furthermore worth looking at the mounting bracket itself. It needs in order to be beefy enough to handle the leverage of the water pushing against the transducer. Consider it: that transducer is like a little rudder down there, and from 2 or three or more mph, it places an amazing amount associated with torque around the mount.
Managing the particular Cable Nightmare
One of the biggest risks in order to your expensive consumer electronics is cable damage. Livescope cables aren't cheap, and they're full of small, sensitive wires that don't like getting pinched or yanked. When you're making use of a livescope boat mount pole , you have to be extra careful with how you course that cable.
Because the pole rotates 360 degrees (sometimes more when you aren't having to pay attention), you need to depart enough "slack loop" to prevent the wire from joining. I've seen guys wrap their wire so tight that this first time they spun the pole to look behind the particular boat, they noticed a sickening snap .
The good trick is definitely to use electric tape or specific cable clips each six inches or even so across the pole, but leave a big, loose loop at the best where the rotation happens. Some of the higher-end rods actually have inner routing or cable connection guards built-in, that is a huge "peace associated with mind" feature if you possibly could swing the additional cost.
The Ease of Application
If a part of gear is a pain to make use of, you'll eventually quit using it. Your livescope boat mount pole needs to be easy to set up and stow. When you're jumping through spot to spot, you don't need to spend three minutes fiddling along with knobs and levers.
Choose a system that offers a "breakaway" function or a quick-release pin. If a person accidentally hit a submerged stump whilst the pole will be down, you need this to kick upward rather than snap off or rip a hole within your deck. Most modern mounts have a tilting mechanism that will lets you horizontalize the pole and lock it lower in seconds. This is also key intended for when you're trailering the boat—you certainly don't want that will transducer bouncing about in the wind at 70 your on the highway.
DIY vs. Buying the Professional Mount
I'll be the 1st to admit I actually love a great project, and developing your own mount appears like a great way to conserve a couple 100 bucks. However, after seeing a several "PVC specials" fail in the middle of a tournament, I'm a large believer in buying the purpose-built system.
The professional versions are designed to handle the particular frequencies and vibrations of the sonar. They also usually consist of a directional gazelle that's actually precise. There's nothing worse than thinking you're looking at a fish 30 feet out, only in order to realize your DIY handle is somewhat crooked and you've been casting 5 feet to the right all day.
If you do go the DIY route, stick to stainless-steel or heavy-duty aluminium. Avoid plastic elements wherever possible, as the UV rays from the sun will make them brittle as time passes, and the final thing you desire is your $1, 500 transducer sinking towards the bottom of the lake because a plastic bracket snapped.
Conclusions on the Setup
From the end associated with the day, incorporating a livescope boat mount pole is all about making your own time around the drinking water more productive and less stressful. It takes a little bit of used to—you'll have to learn the "hand-foot coordination" associated with steering the boat with your foot while aiming the sonar with your own hand—but once it clicks, it's tough to imagine angling any other method.
It becomes the hunt directly into a more active experience. You aren't just awaiting the bite; you're definitely tracking, aiming, and adjusting. Make absolutely certain a person spend the time to get the set up right. Inspect clearances, secure your cables, and make certain the height is usually adjusted so the transducer stays immersed even when the boat is rocking in a bit associated with chop. Once you've got it dialed in, you'll end up being amazed at how much more detail you can see when the motor isn't constantly swinging your own "eyes" away from the prize.