When you fish over 330 days a year, your gear doesn’t just need to work. It needs to withstand the grind. For Austin McClure, a full-time fishing guide out of Truman Lake in Missouri, there’s one piece of equipment that’s earned its permanent spot on the front deck: the Breakaway Transducer Pole from Beatdown Outdoors.
Whether he’s guiding clients over brush piles stacked with crappie or running and gunning for white bass, Austin relies on his electronics to stay sharp, safe, and efficient. That’s where the Breakaway Pole shines, not just as a sturdy mount, but as a forward-facing sonar companion built for real-world abuse.
Built By Fishermen, For Fishermen
Austin’s no stranger to high-level fishing. He’s a former tournament angler with a national championship placement and winner of the SeaArk Invitational. Now, he spends his days guiding for crappie, catfish, and white bass on both Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks.
He’s been with Beatdown Outdoors since nearly the beginning, living just 40 minutes from the company’s headquarters in Missouri. That close relationship has given him a front-row seat to the gear's evolution, and he’s been hands-on in testing and offering feedback over the years.
“Honestly, I’ve kind of been through every product Blake has made,” says Austin, referring to Beatdown Outdoors founder Blake Price. “I’ve had the Breakaway Pole since day one.”
Designed for Timber and Tough Conditions
Forward-facing sonar has revolutionized fishing, but it’s not always smooth sailing, especially in timber-filled lakes like Truman.
“Not every lake is clear and open water. Here in the Midwest, we’re fishing heavy timber,” Austin explains. “The better you get with forward-facing sonar, the faster you fish. And when you’re running fast in tight areas, you’re gonna bump into stuff.”
That’s where the Breakaway Pole makes its money. Unlike fixed mounts that risk snapping or damaging expensive transducers when they hit structure, the Breakaway Pole is built to absorb the impact and move with it.
“It’s slick,” Austin says. “It’s not gonna snap your pole or tear up your LiveScope, Mega Live, or Active Target. It just breaks away and saves your equipment.”
Quick Stowing, Ready for Travel
In guiding, time matters. Stowing and setting up gear should be the least of your worries. For Austin, the Breakaway Pole eliminates the hassle.
“A fixed mount, you’ve gotta loosen knobs, take it apart, lay it on the deck,” he says. “With the Breakaway, I literally just smack it forward and it locks in stow position alongside the boat. I can run down the lake or trailer across the country without ever taking it off.”
That simplicity is more than convenience. It’s peace of mind. Whether on his bass boat or deck boat, the pole stays mounted and secure year-round.
Dual Mount Setup for Versatility
Austin runs both a trolling motor mount and the Breakaway Pole, using each for different fishing situations. If he’s chasing roaming fish in open water, he uses the trolling motor for quicker coverage. But when it’s time to slow down and teach a client how to target structure precisely, the Breakaway Pole comes into play.
“With the pole, I can spot-lock on a tree and keep the boat still. Then, the client can move the pole slightly and keep the image steady on the screen,” he explains. “It’s a great way to learn sonar control without the boat drifting all over the place.”
This flexibility is especially useful when guiding newer anglers who are still learning LiveScope or Active Target. Keeping things simple and effective is key, and that’s where the Breakaway Pole excels.
Built to Take a Beating
Let’s be real, not all anglers baby their gear. Austin proudly admits, “I’m hard on stuff. I use it to its full ability, and I’m not scared of stumps.”
So durability matters. And after hundreds of days on the water, his Breakaway Pole keeps showing up.
“It’s one of the few pieces of equipment that I haven’t had to constantly fix or adjust. I’ve hit stuff hard with it. And it just keeps going.”
Small Accessories, Big Difference
Two standout accessories that Austin swears by? The adjustable top handle and the yellow pointer.
The pointer, especially, is a surprisingly powerful tool. A simple addition that helps both guides and clients stay aligned with what they’re seeing on screen.
“It might seem small, but for people learning LiveScope, that pointer is huge. It gives them a visual cue of exactly where they’re aiming. I like to run mine in line with the handle so I always know where I’m pointed.”
The new adjustable handle gives anglers more control over their comfort and positioning, allowing the pole to be used from a sitting or standing position by anglers of all sizes.
More Than Just a Mount — A Daily Workhorse
In a crowded sonar accessory market, the Beatdown Outdoors Breakaway Pole stands out because it was built by anglers who live on the water, for anglers who demand gear that can handle the real world.
“This pole kind of changed the market,” Austin says. “It’s not just about mounting a transducer anymore. It’s about protecting your gear, staying efficient, and giving you control.”
For a full-time guide like Austin McClure, it’s a trusted tool that’s been battle-tested over thousands of hours on the water, and one he’d recommend to anyone serious about forward-facing sonar.
Want to Fish with Austin?
You can find Austin McClure guiding on Truman Lake and Lake of the Ozarks, offering year-round trips for crappie, catfish, spoonbill, and white bass. He’s one of the Midwest’s most experienced forward-facing sonar guides and knows how to put clients on fish while teaching them to use their electronics more effectively.
Check out his guide service on Facebook, or reach out directly to book a trip.
📞 (660) 492-6144
