Push poles have been used to propel boats for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Today’s push poles have come a long way since then. They’ve evolved from wooden poling oars hewn from tree limbs to technological wonders constructed of carbon fiber, Kevlar and graphite. In the early years of flats fishing, short poles were all that were needed. In those days, anglers pursued fish by poling from the deck, standing on coolers and from the top of their boat’s motor. As boat design advanced, elevated platforms were built to allow guides a higher vantage point to spot the fish they were pursuing. That required longer poles to reach the bottom, which proved cumbersome because of the increased weight. That compelled Miami angling innovators Dick Snyder, Lee Cuddy and John Emory to search for lighter materials to propel them across the flats. Fiberglass vaulting poles were explored but proved too heavy, so lighter versions were developed. According to Miami outdoor writer Bob Sterns, the first person to make dedicated push poles from Fiberglas was Bill Marks. Marks had a backyard company that he called Moonlighter Marine.
As rod design advanced from Fiberglas to graphite, push poles followed suit. Graphite was lighter, allowing anglers to pole their skiffs faster while expending less energy. Graphite also stores more energy under a load, giving it a much faster recovery rate. That translates into more energy to propel the boat. Graphite also allowed manufacturers to create a more dynamic product that was stiff and used less material.
Initially, these new poles were crafted of pure graphite, but due to the cost and issues with breakage, products were developed that blended graphite with Fiberglas. The new push poles incorporated the strength of Fiberglas with the lightness and dynamics of graphite. It also lowered the price point of the pole. Modern push poles are now constructed of cutting-edge materials including Kevlar, carbon fiber and resins originally developed by the space industry.
The points and forks of most major push poles do not vary significantly. Most are made from a specially formulated abrasion-resistant plastic for longer wear. The majority of forks are a simple Y-shaped design. A better option is a fork with a tapered mud bar that runs between the legs of the fork. The best push poles are cupped, widened in the center for support and designed to shed mud better than standard forks. They allow the angler more latitude when poling over a soft bottom, so less effort is expended pulling the pole out of soft mud. Anglers who pole over hard bottom can opt for a metal tip that screws into the end of the point of the push pole. The tip grabs the bottom, wears longer and is easier to push into the bottom to hold the boat.
Push poles are one of the most important components of the modern flat boat. The best poles have a price tag north of $1,000 and they’re worth it for ardent sight fishers. The type and length of the push pole are best determined by the depth of the water, the height of the poling platform and the amount of time you’ll be using it. Eighteen- to 24-foot poles are most common.
The two most popular brands on the market today are crafted by Stiffy Push Poles and Carbon Marine. Moonlighter Poles are also available. Visit their sites for detailed information at www.fibertexandsupply.com/push-poles/, www.moonlighterpushpoles.com and www.carbonmarine.com. Push poles help you approach fish quietly, a big advantage as more and more boats ply the flats, making fish more skittish and harder to approach. A quality pole will last a lifetime so get the best one you can afford. Poling is a wonderful way to expand your angling horizon above and below the surface.
