Texas Flats Fishing With Shallow Water Anchors
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The similarities between fishing Florida’s salt flats and Texas flats fishing outweigh the few differences. Moving quietly and slowly through expanses of shallow water to get close to spooky shallow water fish is one common factor. One of the differences is the species of fish targeted. Florida flats guides regularly take anglers in search of tarpon, bonefish or permit. These are normally loner fish that are seen in the shallow water and cast to as individuals. The most sought Texas flats fish are the redfish and spotted sea trout. These two species are more often found in small schools than as loners. Shallow water anchors can improve the success rate.
Tarpon and snook can be caught during certain times of the year in some specific locations. When the wind and current allows it, drifting across the flats is a common tactic. When wind becomes an issue or when redfish or trout are bunched up close to some structure, holding in one position is more productive. The extremely shallow water on the flats poses some unique anchoring problems.
In order to hold a boat securely, traditional anchors need a relatively long line between the boat and the anchor. A long anchor line can allow boat movement along a long arc. When precise bait presentation is required to entice bites, an erratically moving boat can interfere with casting accuracy. Wary shallow-water fish will not respond well to an improperly cast bait or a poorly controlled presentation.
For years, Florida salt flats guides have moved their boats across the shallow flats with long poles. When a fish is spotted, the same poles are used to hold the boat stationary while the angler cast to the fish. The new shallow water anchors offered by several different companies are all derived from the idea of holding the boat precisely in position with a pole stuck into the mud/sand of the bottom.
All these anchor systems are designed around a pole attached to the boat to hold position. There are electro-hydraulically operated anchor systems with remote controls. Some companies offer relatively inexpensive kits with just a simple bracket and a pole. The choice is dependent on available budget or personal taste.
All of these systems are equally effective at the intended purpose – keeping a boat positioned securely. They have definite advantages over the electric trolling motor. There is no noise and no prop-wash that can scare away the fish. As more fishermen embrace these anchor systems we can expect to see them used in new ways.
Freshwater anglers have discovered the advantages of these pole anchors. When bass are inactive, a slow presentation is required. A shallow water anchor can allow a fisherman to implement super-slow, almost stationary bait presentations that can invite strikes from inactive fish. With pole anchors on both ends of a boat, it becomes a stable platform for precise presentation whether the target is a bass tucked deep in a weed bed on a freshwater lake or a school of redfish tailing in a shallow depression in the Texas flats. Shallow water anchors are vital to successful Texas flats fishing.
If you are looking for a power pole for boats to keep your boat still and catch more fish, check out an alternative topower pole anchors
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