Why install a shallow anchor on a fishing boat?

The shallow anchor allows you to anchor a boat efficiently. © Likid Fishing

What is a shallow water anchor and why use it on your boat while fishing? Let's see the different advantages of this hydraulic anchor to practice our passion.

Likid Fishing Published on October 25, 2022

The shallow water anchor is found on almost every fishing boat in North America! In France, it is only beginning to be known, although it is a very practical improvement!

The shallow anchor

The shallow water anchor, also known as the hydraulic anchor, consists of an arm that extends to make contact with the bottom. The length of the arm's deployment is automatically regulated, so it will adapt to the depth. Once in position, the arm maintains pressure on the ground to keep the boat in position.

L'ancre hydraulique Minn Kota Raptor, pratique pour ancrer en faible profondeur. — The Minn Kota Raptor hydraulic anchor, practical for anchoring in shallow water.

Speed of deployment

One of the big advantages of this anchor is that it is quick to set up and remove. All you have to do is push a button, and the anchor does what the angler wants. This is a handy feature, for example, when you want to drift and stop every 50 meters, or anchor while you're bringing in a fish while drifting.

The anchor can be controlled using the supplied remote control, a smartphone, a foot pedal or even from the combined echo sounder/GPS. For example, Minn kota and humminbird are compatible, so you can control the anchor from its echo sounder/GPS.

TÃ©lÃ©commande de l'ancre Minn Kota Raptor. — Remote control of the Minn Kota Raptor anchor.

Anchor on the shallows

The first idea, when you see this type of anchor, is that it is intended for shallow areas, but their anchoring capacity is still high, up to 2.50 and 3.50 meters, depending on the model. This depth represents a good part of the areas fished in rivers and lakes, so it is a product that is of great interest in French freshwater.

Les ancres hydrauliques Minn Kota Raptor permettent de tenir un bateau ancrÃ© par 3 mÃ¨tres de profondeur. — Minn Kota Raptor hydraulic anchors can hold a boat anchored in 3 meters of water.

A silent anchor

Several solutions, such as the traditional anchor, which is a weight connected to a rope or chain, or using the anchor function of the electric motor, allow the boat to be kept in position. However, these solutions are noisy and/or energy consuming. The shallow anchor allows to anchor with more discretion.

The advantage of having two anchors

This system is very practical, but it makes sense to use two anchors! The problem with using only one anchor is that the boat will turn at the slightest current or wind. With two anchors, the boat remains stable, whether facing the current or during strong winds. The only problem with installing two anchors is that it almost doubles the cost of the installation.

The price

This anchor is a comfort that has a non-negligible cost, with a price that starts in the 2,500 euros. A price that includes the material to operate it, such as the hydraulic pump and a remote control. Moreover, this improvement is reserved for large boats, because not all boats can receive this additional weight that is fixed on the transom, next to the engine.

Some references

Power pole is probably the brand that popularized this type of anchor. Recently, Minn Kota, with its Raptor model, offers a similar product.

Ancre de faible profondeur Minn Kota Raptor. — Minn Kota Raptor shallow anchor.

This anchor is not just a simple gadget, but is a real asset. It is a great improvement for equipping a boat, especially for prospecting, when you want to keep mobility and be able to stop the boat quickly.