Ruddock 2/18

Launched solo about 10:00; windy and water was 60 degrees. Ran to my spot and water had dropped 10-12" since previous trip Friday. No bites.

Trip was cut short when blue hyd. (UP) hose on PowerPole broke on first anchor. Spike was down in 6ft water. These were original 2015 hyd. plastic hoses.

Drove boat forward to get spike loose and tried to pull arm up with a rope - no joy.

Had to idle in for several miles until I met Jerry from Ponchatoula in main channel. He helped me get the arm up - despite the broken UP line the cylinder still had pressure. We ran the pump UP and oil squirted into the water, but pressure was released and we lifted the arm up and tied it off.

Talked with PowerPole today and new hoses/connections on the way for $68.00 shipped.

Asked PP for suggestion on how to get pole to retract with broken hose. He advised to "drive the boat forward into shallow water and it should trigger a pressure release valve and should be able to retract arm. If the release valve doesn't activate, you really in a bind now.

None of this arm retraction stuff is easy - especially alone. More of a reminder to PowerPole boaters than a fishing report. My hoses were 10 years old - how old are yours?

Good report and reminder to folks to check their hoses. Hate that happened to you but glad it wasn’t any worse.

Good report


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I've been wanting to try the Rudock and Manchac areas for sac a lait since it's so close.

Good advise Dave, I really don't use the boat or PP much and hoses looked fine. Men, if your hoses have 10 years on them, consider R/R with new hoses because you have a surprise waiting.

PowerPole did advise the spike has a lifetime warranty and if broken they will replace at no cost to Owner. (maybe shipping cost?)

In the Ruddock launch and south area, the channel that parallels 55 runs 10-13 ft deep with the pits/dugouts depths to 25-30 ft. I liken it to reservoir type water. Your electronics would be helpful in this water. I typically sac fish here under a cigar cork Dec. thru the spawn.

Didn't mean to highjack the thread but wanted to add that I caught a few (5) in that area last week. I put in off side of road just before Ruddock. Tried several things with those bites coming on throwing Z-Man Flashback Mini Chatter Bait and same technique as StickSteering suggested, homemade 1/32 hair jigs under a small cigar float. Going to try again this weekend and hope the bite picks up and the spawn isn't over.

I should be out there on Saturday morning to see what I can find. I haven't fished that area in several years.