Push poles have come a long way. 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 better view of the fish they were pursuing. That required longer poles to reach the bottom, which proved too cumbersome.
Enter 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 tried and proved too heavy so lighter versions were developed. According to Miami outdoor writer Bob Sterns, the first person to make dedicated push poles from fiberglass was Bill Marks. Marks had a “backyard” company that he called Moonlighter Marine.
As rod design advanced from fiberglass to graphite, push poles followed suit. Graphite was lighter, allowing anglers to pole their skiff faster and 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 fiberglass. The new push poles incorporated the strength of fiberglass with the lightness and dynamics of graphite. It also lowered the price point of the pole. Modern push poles are manufactured with cutting edge materials including Kevlar, carbon fiber and resins.
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” design. A better option is a fork with a tapered “mud bar” that runs between the legs of the fork. The best 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 soft bottom, so less effort is expended pulling the pole out. Anglers who pole over hard bottom can opt for a metal tip that screws into the end of the point. 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 flats 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 is 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. Visit their sites for detailed information at www.stiffypushpoles.com and www.carbonmarine.com. Push poles help you approach fish quietly, which is 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 amp up your fishing experience and expand your angling horizon into your quarry’s home.
