Hands free control of your live sonar
The First Mate XT is a telescoping black anodized aluminum pole with a motorized head that turns your transducer just past 360°, a full circle with overlap, so there is no blind spot behind the pole. A dial on the head sets rotation speed anywhere from a dead stop to 12 RPM. Tap the foot pedal or a key fob and the view swings where you want it while both hands stay on the rod. Two key fobs, a wireless foot pedal, and a 12V cable come in the box.
$599. Strong but Light. One year warranty. 30 day returns.
Four reasons anglers upgrade to the XT
A dial, not two settings
The knob on the power head sets rotation anywhere from a dead stop to 12 RPM. Creep across a brush pile, then open it up when a school moves and the transducer has to keep pace. Systems costing twice as much give you two fixed speeds and ask you to live with the gap between them.
Rotation with no dead spots
The head turns just past 360 degrees on purpose, a full circle plus overlap, so there is no blind wedge behind the pole. Limit switches stop it at both ends, so your transducer cable never winds up.
A pedal and two fobs, paired at the shop
Keep both hands on the rod. Hook a fish, sweep the transducer with your foot, and start looking for the next one while you are still reeling. Hand the second fob to whoever is fishing the back deck.
Mount it anywhere
The 1 1/8 inch pipe leaves about 24 inches of clamping room, so it fits your old manual pole, RAM mounts, track systems, and standard rails. One customer rigged his to a bike repair stand. When none of the three stock lengths land where you need, we cut one that does.
Most motorized sonar poles run $1,000 to $2,200
| First Mate XT | Other systems, about $1,000 | Other systems, about $1,700 | Garmin Spy Pole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $999.99 | $1,699.99 | $1,999.99 and up |
| Speed control | Variable, 0 to 12 RPM | Two fixed speeds, 3 and 5 RPM | None stated | Not published |
| Rotation | Just past 360°, no dead spots | 340° | Four position mount | 360° |
| Weight | 5 lb | 14 lb | 7 lb | Not published |
| Length | Three telescoping sizes, 24 to 64 in | Six fixed shafts | 18 in plus an 18 in extension | 42 or 49 in, fixed |
Pick the one that fits your bow
The Dagger
The Mainmast
The Bowsprit
Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance, and whatever comes next
Your transducer mounts to a standard round post at the end of the pole, using the factory hardware it came with. That is the whole reason compatibility is not a list we have to keep updating. Garmin LiveScope, Humminbird MEGA Live, and Lowrance ActiveTarget all mount the same way, and so does effectively every live sonar transducer on the market.
Built light on purpose
What you get besides a pole
Mount fitting help
Send a photo of your setup with the boat or trolling motor model. We tell you which mount to order before you spend the money.
Custom pole cuts
Three stock lengths cover most boats. When none of them land where you need, we cut the pole to fit. We have done it for kayaks, tall bow decks, and ice sleds. Just ask before you order.
Custom mount builds
If your rig needs something that is not in the store, tell us about it. Several mounts we sell now started as a one off build for one customer’s boat.
Warranty and support
One year warranty, a claim form on the site, and a person who answers the phone. Buyers mention the support as often as the pole.
Built for the bow, at home on the ice
The XT lives on boats. Bass boats, aluminum rigs, center consoles and kayaks are where most of them run, clamped to a trolling motor, a track or a rail. The first one was built for the ice, though, so cold and sled rides are nothing new. Add the Ice Tripod for $25 and the pole that ran your bow all summer sits over a fresh hole in February.