Well I ended up going the hazard bracket route! Snagged up a black anodized one, and it's the newest version with the spring slot instead of a hole. I got a blowsion spring with it too, so I'll probably use that, and crank on the pole bolt so I have a weightless pole.
What are you guys doing for backing plates? I've got the two small separate ones. I'll be reinforcing the bottom of the pole mount, but I'd think a bigger backing plate would help alot too.