An Angler's Essential Power Companion - Anker Powerhouse 555 Review

 

As an avid angler who's always on the hunt for the next big catch, I've been using the Anker Powerhouse 555 portable power station for about three months now, and it's become an indispensable part of my fishing gear. Let's dive into why this power station has earned a prime spot in my angler's arsenal.

 

Power in a Compact Package:

The Anker Powerhouse 555 may be heavy, but its compact size (11.4 x 7.5 x 7.7 inches) makes it a breeze to transport and store. Weighing in at 14.3 pounds, it's not the lightest option, but its robust build is evident and instills confidence in its durability. This power station is designed to meet the demands of your active lifestyle, and it's built to last.

 

Technical Specifications:

Capacity: 555 watt-hours

Output Ports:

AC Outlet: 110V, 500W (peak 1,000W)

DC Ports: 12V, up to 96W

USB Ports: 3 x USB-A (5V/2.4A each), 1 x USB-C (5V/3A)

Car Port: 12V, up to 10A

Recharge Options:

AC Wall Charger: Included (7-8 hours to full charge)

Solar Panel (not included): 100W recommended for solar charging

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Operating Temperature Range: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)

Weight: 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg)

Dimensions: 11.4 x 7.5 x 7.7 inches

 

On-the-Go Power for Angling Adventures:

I primarily use this power station during kayak fishing trips and other outdoor excursions. Its versatility shines when I need to charge my drones, action cameras, and mirrorless cameras. With its 555 watt-hour capacity and a robust AC outlet capable of 500W (1,000W peak), the Powerhouse 555 keeps my gear juiced up, ensuring that I never miss a shot of that impressive catch or breathtaking scenery.

 

One Charge for Multiple Weekends:

One standout feature that has truly impressed me is the Powerhouse 555's longevity. A single full charge is sufficient for a couple of weekends at least for my needs. This means I can venture out into the wilderness with confidence, knowing that I won't run out of power when I need it the most. It's a game-changer for those extended fishing trips.

 

Modular Power Options - A Wish for the Future:

While the Powerhouse 555 is a powerhouse in itself, one wish I have for future iterations is the addition of a modular smaller power bank that could slot in and out of the main power station. This would provide anglers like me with the flexibility to tailor the power capacity to the specific needs of each trip. For shorter outings, a smaller module would suffice, reducing weight and bulk, while longer adventures could make use of the full power station. This modular approach would add a new dimension of convenience to an already impressive device.

 

Portable Flexibility:

While the term "portable" is relative, I've found the Powerhouse 555 to be a versatile companion for my angling pursuits. As a trout fisherman who prefers a more active fishing style, I often keep the power station in my car. It's during those moments when I'm transitioning from one river to another that I take advantage of its charging capabilities. The kayak fishing trip is where it truly shines, accompanying me in my kayak. While not the most efficient setup, it gets the job done, and I appreciate having a reliable power source when I need it most.

 

Tailored for Specific Use Cases:

In my experience, the Anker Powerhouse 555 is an extremely powerful tool that excels in specific use cases. Carp anglers who spend 2-3 days by the banks of a river will find it invaluable for keeping essential devices charged. Ice fishing enthusiasts who brave the cold with small tents will also benefit greatly from its reliable power supply. Additionally, any angler who enjoys a more sedentary type of fishing will find this power station to be a game-changer.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Anker Powerhouse 555 portable power station is a must-have for anglers seeking on-the-go power solutions. While it may not be the lightest option out there, its compact size, versatility, and impressive charging capabilities make it an essential companion for various fishing adventures. Whether you're on a kayak, by the riverbank, or in a remote ice fishing tent, this powerhouse will ensure that you stay connected and capture those unforgettable angling moments. With its technical specifications backing up its performance, the Powerhouse 555 is a reliable and robust addition to your outdoor gear collection, offering extended power for your angling needs. And while we dream of modular options in the future, the Anker Powerhouse 555 stands strong as a reliable power source for anglers today.

In the west shorter rods are not as popular. As many anglers have an opinion that longer rods help to fight, tire the fish with more control and confidence. But the MG-46MLS has great fish play and the rod works throughout. It has a matt green/cream finish. With sky blue accents. A lovely touch is the hand written model and specs of the rod, by the rod builder himself.

A description of the Megabass Shoreluck XX SLX 74ULZ ZANGETSU

 

Was interested in this rod since getting another model from the same Shoreluck series. Since the rod is no longer in production getting one was a bit tricky. It involved Japanese classifieds and proxy services. Still the Megabass Shoreluck XX SLX 74ULZ ZANGETSU was in my hands three months later.

At 224cm the rod has a universal length suitable for most conditions. On smaller overgrown rivers the extra length helps to lead the lure threw stumps water plants and other obstacles. On larger water bodies the length is enough to get decent distance on your desired lure. The most interesting part of the rod is the 160mm eva handle. It has pros and cons. Pros: quick casts when you get used to the length, perfect for one handed casts, very comfortable. Cons: distance and accuracy on further casts suffers, the extra support from a longer handle would help when fighting larger fish, two handed casts are impossible with this rod. Fishing the first hour caught myself on a couple occasions trying to grab the butt of the handle when casting further distances.

The reel seat is Fuji. Balance is great with 2000 and 2500 Shimano sized reels. With Fuji SIC guides the rod weights 74gr. casting one handed all day will not cause fatigue. Declared lure weight is from 0.8 - 9gr. the lower part is a bit optimistic and for me 1.5gr. was more comfortable. The high end is accurate though. Jigging is visible and responsive from 2gr. When twitching minnows up to 6cm the rod animates the lure with ease. Spoons and spinners work very well.

The rod has a fast action, whip like feel upon cast. Fish play is amazing and the rod works throughout. The rod has a black glossy finish, the reel seat has carbon accents. Also a picture of whats seems to be a paradise bird. It does look apart.

A description of the Nories Trout Program Speed Peak 67

Nories Trout Program Speed Peak 67 was designed for spoons lures and area fishing in mind. As the company states: "There are many changing factors influencing pond fishing, such as a wider range of fish species and larger fish, along with a continuing increase in the water quality at many trout ponds which leads to more active fish. Taking into these factors our Pro-staff have run repeated tests with active fish, to create the specialist spoon rod designed for winning, SPEED PEAK." So the rod is for professionals competing in area trout competitions.Closed the rods sits at 105cm. Assembled around 204cm. A universal length which will be enough when casting in wider areas. The declared action is fast. Which in my humble opinion is incorrect. The rod bends straight from the handle. It has a regular or even a slow action. This is highlighted fishing in streams. Dragging the lure against the current produces a bend threw out the rod. Furthermore another quirk of the slower action is that after the cast the blank has a counter action which does take time getting used to. The fish play is amazing and will handle the most ferocious trout. If you pair the rod with a monofilament line it also does not deter the fish from continuous bites. The designated casting weight is from 0.8gr. to 5gr. Which is accurate. The usability of this rod is specific for spoon lures. Thus jigging, crank fishing, twitching will not be effective. The cork handle is 33cm. Silky to the touch, but too fat and long for my liking. Produced by FUJI it has a split grip design with a classic screw on real seat. One unique feature is the ability to add weights to the end of the handle to achieve perfect balance. Keep in mind they are sold separate. The guides are FUJI Titanium. The rods weight is around 100gr. And has great balance with reels sizes of 2000 by Shimano standard. The blank color is deep dark green with violet accents. It looks sophisticated. The case is is made from quality material, has a color theme same as the rod.

Long story short this was my first premium fishing rod the Tenryu Lunakia LKT79M. Gave it to a friend for a day of fishing. He was an inexperienced angler. By accident he broke the rods upper part. Since then (around 2015) I have been searching for the same model. The rod even back then was no longer in production. Thus finding one was hard. One popped up on facebook classifieds I did not hesitate to purchase it.

A description of the Tenryu Lunakia LKT79M

 

The Tenryu Lunakia LKT79M is a Japanese rock fishing rod. Gained popularity in Europe due to its premium build, materials and unique fish play. Anglers use it with ultralight jig heads, minnows, spoons. It is a 2 part rod with a declared action of extra fast. Closed it measures at 120cm, assembled 240cm. The recommended lure weight is from 0.8gr. to 5gr. Accurate on both ends. A 1gr. jig heads cast well in calm weathers and with thinner lines. Although the 1.4mm tip is tubular you will see and feel delicate fish bites. When casting a 5gr. lure the top half feels loaded. A heavier lure might damage the rod. The rear grip length is 357mm. Comfortable when jigging and casting in open areas. Yet when fishing in small rivers one handed casts feel awkward. The longer grip interferes with the wrist action during casts. It is a small gripe that will not affect most anglers. Further more I am used to my main rod the Megabass Shoreluck which has a grip of 247mm. So for me it might be a force of habit to cast a certain way. For a ultralight rod it is heavy. At 114gr. it cannot compare to modern rods which in some cases weight 70-80gr. Although it does not cause fatigue even after a days of fishing some anglers might view it as a deal breaker. At the time of production some companies saw fiber glass as an inferior material to carbon. This led to rods being almost 100% carbon. But Tenryu produced the Lunakia to be 77% carbon and 23% fiber glass. This unique blend is what gives the rod a forgiving and unique fish play. Though some brands are reverting to incorporating different materials in their blanks again. For example the Palms Sylpher series. The Tenryu Lunakia LKT79M has FUJI SIC guides with titanium outer rings. The black eva handle fits into the design. The rod has a white/pearl color blank with a glossy finish. The deep blue accents on a white background pop.