Shallow water anchors provide a massive advantage especially when fishing in windy conditions. They are built to deploy quickly and quietly, burying themselves in the bottom and keeping your boat pinned right where you want it. We'll help you find the right one for your boat.
- Why You Need a Shallow Water Anchor
- Best Shallow Water Anchor Brands
- Hydraulic vs Electric Shallow Water Anchors
- Power Pole Shallow Water Anchors
- Minn Kota Shallow Water Anchors
- Lewmar Shallow Water Anchors
- Which Shallow Water Anchor is Best?
- How Much do Shallow Water Anchors Cost?
Why You Need a Shallow Water Anchor
A shallow water anchor allows you to quickly and easily anchor your boat. Spot some cover that looks promising? With the push of a button, the anchor sets itself so you’re ready to cast as fast as possible. Without having to worry about wind or wake pushing your boat, you can take your time picking the cover apart until you’re satisfied. For even more stability, you can upgrade to a dual anchor set up. This gives your boat two set points to the bottom and will keep your boat from spinning as well as from being moved laterally.
Best Shallow Water Anchor Brands
Power Pole, Minn Kota and Lewmar are the three biggest names in shallow water anchors and each have carved out a niche for themselves. Power Pole is known for their hydraulic systems that many boaters consider the best in the industry thanks to smooth, quiet, powerful operation. Minn Kota makes both hydraulic and electric driven system providing options for any install and their Talon anchor deploys vertically meaning that it takes up the least amount of space when deployed. The Lewmar shallow water anchors we carry are all electric actuator driven and while some boaters feel that electric anchors aren’t as strong or reliable as hydraulic systems, they are generally easier to install which can be a deciding factor for a DIYer. We’ll walk you through the main difference between manufacturers and deployment types to help you make the right choice for your boat.
Hydraulic vs Electric Shallow Water Anchors
Shallow water anchors deploy either using an electronic actuator or a hydraulic pump. Here's a few things to consider when choosing the right one for you.
Pros of Electric Shallow Water Anchors
- Easier to install since they do not require a pump
- Some boaters find them easier to use
- Take up less space on your boat since they do not need hydraulic pumps or hoses to operate
Cons of Electric Shallow Water Anchors
- Some boaters report that electric actuator have a harder time standing up to saltwater corrosion
Pros of Hydraulic Shallow Water Anchors
- Hydraulic operation is more powerful than an electric actuator
- Many boaters feel that hydraulic systems last longer in saltwater environments
Cons of Hydraulic Shallow Water Anchors
- Installation is more complicated since you have to install the hydraulic pumps and hoses
- Installation takes up more space on the boat
Power Pole Shallow Water Anchors
Power Pole is known for their industry leading hydraulic shallow water anchors and, with a new one pump system, they are better than ever. Power Pole’s one pump system can run two of their immensely popular Blade shallow water anchors with a single pump. Many anglers opt to install two shallow water anchors to stop their boat from rotating on the axis of a single anchor and this new system is a huge upgrade from previous offerings. The one pump system offers a 40% weight reduction and power draw and cuts the installation space needed in half over installing a hydraulic pump for each anchor. Only having one pump to manage comes with a bunch of other advantages as well including quieter operation, faster install times and reduced maintenance since you’re only working on one pump instead of two. All of Power Pole’s shallow water anchors are fully controllable through the C-Monster app as well making it easy to deploy or retract your anchor from anywhere on the boat.
Power Pole One Pump and Dual Blade Anchor Package
Top features: Power Pole One Pump and Dual Blade Anchor Package securely anchors your boat in up to 10 ft of water quickly and quietly. Power Pole’s Everflex® spike is virtually indestructible meaning you can rely on it deploy after deploy and the spike seamlessly stows into the pocketed design of the aerodynamic housing to keep it fully out of the way when it’s not in use.
What makes them stand out: Feature’s Power Pole’s new one pump that can operate both anchors at the same time to save space, installation time and power draw.
Top features: Power Pole's top of the line Blade Shallow Water Anchor can anchor your boat in up to 10 feet of water and are rigorously tested to offer years of performance. Powered by the C-Monster 2.0 control system and a high-flow hydraulic pump, the Blade anchor can be deployed at the touch of a button for easy setting up while fishing.
What makes them stand out: Lightweight, easy to operate and low power draw.
Power Pole Pro 2 Shallow Water Anchor
Top features: The Pro 2 Shallow Water Anchor is Power Pole’s mid range option but it can still stand up to the needs of professional and recreational anglers alike. The Pro 2 features the same lightweight but rugged construction of the Blade but doesn’t feature the same pocket design so the stake doesn’t tuck away quite as nicely.
What makes them stand out: A powerful, lightweight anchor at an affordable price.
Power Pole Sportsman 2 Shallow Water Anchor
Top features: The Sportsman 2 Shallow Water Anchor is Power Pole’s entry level model that still features many of the features of their other models at an even more affordable price. This shallow water anchor is very popular among recreational anglers and can still anchor boats in up to 8 ft of water making it a great balance between performance and price.
What makes them stand out: An entry level hydraulic shallow water anchor package that comes with everything you need to install it on your boat.
Minn Kota Shallow Water Anchors
Minn Kota makes both hydraulic and electrically actuated shallow water anchors to fit any boater’s needs. Their anchors integrate directly with Humminbird fish finders for easy deployment and retraction and are suited for a variety of bottom types and water conditions. They also make a shallow water anchor that deploys vertically which takes up less space in the water when deployed and has less chance of snagging your fishing line like the arms of other shallow water anchors do.
Talon Shallow Water Anchor
Top features: Minn Kota's Talon Shallow Water Anchor deploys vertically, which sets it apart from most shallow water anchor that use an extending arm to deploy the anchor. Deploying vertically means there is less chance that your fishing line will get caught on the anchor and that the anchor needs less room to deploy as well. The included remote control also makes the Talon easy to operate from the helm and with user-selectable anchoring modes for different conditions, this anchor is ready for anything.
What makes them stand out: Can hold your boat in up to 15 ft of water and is electrically actuated for easy installation.
Raptor Shallow Water Anchor
Top features: Minn Kota's Raptor Shallow Water Anchor automatically reads the bottom, senses anchoring force and reacts accordingly to keep your boat planted right where you want it. Built for salt- or freshwater and with a strong and flexible composite anchor spike backed by a lifetime guarantee, you can rely on the Raptor to offer years of dependable performance. The included remote makes it easy to control the anchor from anywhere on the boat and there are plenty of other options to deploy and retract the anchor as well including a foot switch, i-Pilot or i-Pilot link remote, mobile app or right from the Humminbird fish finder.
What makes them stand out: Powerful hydraulic actuation and easy control from anywhere on your boat.
Lewmar Shallow Water Anchors
Lewmar is a huge name in traditional anchors and their shallow water anchors carry on the legacy. All of the Lewmar shallow water anchors we carry are electrically actuated meaning they are generally easier to install and take up less space on your boat.
Axis Shallow Water Anchor
Top features: Lewmar's Axis Shallow Water Anchor can secure your boat in water up to 6 ft deep and deploys quickly and quietly so you don’t have to worry about spooking fish once you’ve found your spot. The electrical linear actuator means you don’t have to install hydraulic pumps or hoses making for a more streamlined set-up and an easier installation.
What makes them stand out: Powder coated finish for corrosion resistance and a wake dampening spike to keep the anchor’s noise to a minimum.
Which Shallow Water Anchor is Best?
This mostly depends on your budget and your DIY ability. The new one pump system from Power Pole is a great option for a powerful hydraulic system and cuts down the installation time down over having to install two pumps. You’ll still need to find space to mount the pump, route hoses and install the anchors though. Electrically actuated systems are simpler to install but some boaters feel that they aren’t as durable as hydraulic systems. Consider these tradeoffs before you dive in, but either way you’ll have a new tool on your boat to make locking your spot in while fishing easier.
How Much Do Shallow Water Anchors Cost?
It depends on if you’re running one or two anchors and what manufacturer you end up going with. Power Pole shallow water anchors run from around $1,300 for one of their entry level anchors up to $4,600 for their one pump and dual blade anchor package, Minn Kota anchors run from around $1,800 to $2,600 and Lewmar's anchor sits around $1,560. While the cost up front can feel like a lot, every boater we’ve met that has one says that they use them pretty much every time they’re on the water making them a great investment.
Ready to Lock One In?
You should have all the information you need to find the right shallow water anchor for your boat. So grab yours, get it installed and we’ll see you in the shallows.
Need More Help?
West Marine is the perfect place to get ready for your next fishing trip. We offer free line spooling and locally assorted tackle in most of our stores to gear you up for what’s biting in your area. Plus, with a huge selection of fishing gear and plenty of anglers on our crew, we have the know-how you need to get ready. Find your store here.
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