I am trying to get some opinions from people that are actually using non powered shallow water anchors...What brand are you using, how do you like them, any downfalls, etc.

I am thinking of getting some, have seen the ads for people selling them but have never really seen a thread from the users out there.

Thanks in advance

I'll be honest I will never understand why people spend that much money on a pole. I catfish at least twice a week out of a 20' pontoon I have 3 10' 3/4" galvanized pipes in the boat. They will hold you in 6' deep water. They run around $18-$20 bucks at lowes. Just tie them off to a rail or cleat and you are good to go. But that is just my opinion.

There's no shortage of treetops almost all the places I fish. Probably 3/4 of the time I just let the boat drift into the treetops. The times I need to anchor I just throw a lasso over a branch and tie off on a cleat. The (very) rare times I fish where there aren't any treetops to drift or tie to, the water's too deep for any kind of pole.
I think non-power poles would be more of a hassle than they'd be worth. At least for me they would.
I think power poles would be nice to have if you have the money. I'll never buy one or a pair, I've no need or desire, even if I had the money, and I don't.

I got them they work maybe just a little less convienient to use ,but LESS than a 1\10 of the cost,and they don't leak or run out of power and they aren't in the way when not in use

I was in a 18ft skeeter who had a pair of after market power pole the worked ok when the wind was down. but when the wind was up to 13-15mph they would not hold and anything over i would say 10-mph if you cant afford the real ones go with what ifs your bundget and your fish syle

I use two 3/4 conduit pipe 10' long. Just put a 1" pvc tee for the push part and hammer the other end shut. I just pop rivited the tee to the pipe. Worked like a charm on my war eagle until the lake got too high.

Found an interesting site if you want to DIY

http://www.mgs4u.com/index.html