Comparing The Power Pole Style & The Dig IN Shallow Water Anchor
Two new products are promising a revolution in boat control. The Power Pole style Fishing Anchor and the Dig IN anchor both provide previously unheard of shallow water boat positioning.
One of the things separating professional fishermen from mere mortals is the ability to position a boat accurately. Boat position is important for several reasons and over the years many methods have been used with varying levels of success.
Before trolling motors were invented, oars and paddles were used to control boat position. One particularly effective method was sculling. Sculling is a skill in that an experienced fisherman can use to slowly move a boat in shallow water. A paddle is held with a couple of fingers extended along the flat. The paddle stays in the water and quietly moved in a splash-less figure-eight motion to move the boat. Precise positioning is possible as long as the wind is minimal.
Electric trolling motors with variable speeds have been the fisherman's most important boat control tool for decades. There have always been problems with trolling motors in shallow water. Shallow water fish can be extremely spooky. Trolling motors invariably make some noise that is amplified in the water. Trolling motor prop wash stirs up debris from shallow bottoms and can scare away fish when reversing to stop forward motion. Starting, stopping or reversing a trolling motor can cause mounting brackets to pop and snap. That noise is delivered right to the
fish.
Both the Power-Pole style Fishing Anchor and the Dig IN Shallow Water Anchor Systems use the same principle developed over the years by shallow water flats guides. Flats fishing guides use long poles to navigate the shallow flats in pursuit of spooky tarpon and bone fish. When a target fish is within range the flats guide uses the pole to hold the boat still as the angler casts to the fish.
The Power Pole style is a powered unit that uses a motor and hydraulic unit to extend a metal pole down to the bottom. This pole holds the boat securely in position until the angler activates the hydraulics to raise the pole and release the boat. An available remote control allows activation from anywhere on board. The Power Pole style system weighs over thirty pounds and costs over $1200 for the basic kit. Several options and a quieter Professional version are available. Costs for one top-of-the-line unit can exceed $1500.
The basic Dig IN Shallow Water Anchor costs less than $220 including shipping. There are only two parts: the bracket that is mounted to the boat and the separate solid fiberglass pole (called the "spike"). Options are available for bow mounting, deeper water and non-standard boat hull configurations. Two of the top-of-the-line Stay-Put anchor kits will cost less than $750 and let you anchor both front and back of your boat securely. There is no hydraulic pump and motor noise; and deployment is quick quiet and simple. A true revolution in shallow water fishing has arrived.
If $1,600 for a POWER POLE style ANCHOR seems expensive then take a look at an alternative. Check out DIG IN SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS.
It's a Shallow Water Anchor that is LESS EXPENSIVE than the Power Pole style Shallow Water Anchor and Perfect for Flats & Bay Fishing!
A shallow water fishing anchor system for all small skiffs, bass boats, flats boats and bay boats.
