Shallow water anchor

Do any of you guys fish without a shallow water anchor for reasons other than can't afford them? Can you explain why? Thank you.

Nope. Wished I had one but money is tight....lol

All of them are priced 2x what they should be. The materials and technology are not that costly. They need a less than $1,000 price point for the 8' models with brackets but I think they'd rather sell 10 at $1,500 than 20 at $1,000.

I have a Talon and price deferred my purchase until this season.

I would love to have them, but cannot justify the cost when 90% of the water I fish is deeper than the poles will reach. I use brush grippers whenever possible.

All I can say is get two

John,

How do you like the Talon?

I too just bought a Talon this year. I kept track of my shallow water and deep water fishing plus some conveniences loading and unloading the boat that a shallow water anchor would help with. I'm still not convinced I need two for the way I utilize the Talon. So just because people say buy 2, you need to evaluate what YOU will use it for and how much 2 would help you or not.

Just my thoughts.

I won't go without one anymore. Its just about paid for itself in saved lures that I wouldn't have gone after without it.

I would have to raise the roof on the garage or build a new one so I could get it in

I have been running 2 power poles on my rig for 3 years now. I will say this they are a little expensive. but are a great tool and worth the investment. just like good electronics. will have on all my future boats.

This is my poor mans shallow water anchor

Here the money reason, just found one that was taken off of a boat that is tied up in a divorce, $600 bucks and has been used less than 10 times gonna have to do it!

Price for me...I just dropped 4k on graphs. I need a little time to let that hole in my gut heal.

Money not withstanding, I'd have two PP's!

I just installed 2 PP on my boat. Firt tournament I fished I felt I had got my moneys worth. NO did not get a big check, but with severe high winds that day I was able to anchor in the mouth of the coves leading to the spawning flats and fan cast the flats without churning up the water with my trolling motor. I was culling by 8 am. I pulled out of the spot and watched 3 other boats try to fish it with no success. LOVE MINE. But in reality I could have done the same thing with a coupld of mushroom anchors a lot cheaper. BUT would not have been easier.

Somebody needs to post a pic of Packs redneck powerpole and post it...I keep forgetting to take a pic of it!

That's what I do, minus leaving it permanently installed.

I'm blessed to have a fiberglass boat and electronics that get me from A to B. But I just can't justify putting two PPs on the back, when I can take two 10 ft conduit poles, shove them in the ground with a ---little--- American muscle, tie up (all takes less than a minute), and be just fine. When I'm done sitting shallow for the year, I can take them out of the boat (less than 10 seconds) and get back to my business. Not to mention that the poles don't slow my boat down and double up as push poles.

I had never been on a boat with either the Talon or Power Poles until about 6 weeks ago. Before that I thought they were gimmicky and unnecessary. Now, what an excellent tool to have. My next boat will have 2 shallow anchors.

I feel your pain! Neat picture of the "poor man's anchor". Hope it's only for a short time and the wind's not blowing

I installed a Talon a month or so ago on my skeeter. I use it all the time. I fish by myself a lot so I use it when I beach the boat so I can pull the truck up. I also use it when I have to retie a bait, pull out a backlash, etc., but the main reason I use it is to fish an area more thoroughly than I could without it. I installed it myself and bought it from "shut up and fish". I bought the 8' model with the universal bracket, quick disconnect, and tilt bracket. Well worth the money if you can afford it. The tilt bracket will allow you to put it in any garage. I did not need it to fit my boat in my shop. It is only 3-4 inches higher than my motor. Can't think of any reasons besides price that someone would not want one.

Agree with this. Never been on a boat with one til I took my annual trip with Tom Redington last year and couldn't believe how useful they are. Thought the same thing at least a dozen times in the boat with him this year. They're incredibly useful when fishing shallow water.

That being said, I could never justify it myself as a non-tournament angler with a wife and daughter. It's not even close really. $4000 in my daughter's college fund or two power poles?

Regardless, they're a no-brainer for serious tournament anglers and a really nice addition to the boat for any serious fisherman.

Just beach the boat and fish off the back

I made my own shallow water anchors. Similar to the one above but i made mine out of PVC pipe and some fittings. Works just as good and a LOT cheaper. Just some southern engineering.

Check out this video for the answer to this problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqeBYlY95AI

If it isn't windy you don't really need two. But if it is windy and you have only one, you'll regret it.

Ordered two Talons today. MinnKota is running a rebate through March 31.

For sure the two when windy.