Power-Pole Micro Anchor Review | GearJunkie Tested

One of the biggest frustrations I faced as a kayak angler was floating past the juiciest-looking spots without a cast because I didn’t have a way to stop instantly. After I installed the Power-Pole Micro Anchor, that frustration vanished. 

However, I still had many questions, like, “How durable is it?” “Will the battery pack last a full day of fishing?” and, most importantly, “Will it help me catch more fish?” So, over the past few years, I’ve taken it to several of my favorite rivers and lakes to see if it holds up to the legendary Power-Pole name. 

I’ve battled rising rocky-bottom rivers, windy days at muddy-bottom lakes, and everything in between from my Nucanoe Unlimited with this shallow-water anchor and have come away impressed.

In short: The Power-Pole Micro Anchor is a giant upgrade to any shallow-water fishing situation from a small skiff, Jon boat, or kayak because it’s lightweight, easily removable, and locks you in place. However, I encountered a few drawbacks that left me a bit perturbed on several occasions. I’m still using the first Power-Pole Micro Anchor I purchased a few years ago and will continue to do so in shallow-water fishing situations.

Power-Pole Micro Anchor Review

What the Micro Anchor Does Well

The Power-Pole Micro Anchor does an excellent job of keeping you in place once deployed. I love that if you begin to break loose, the C-Monster Control System drives the stake farther down to ensure you don’t move from where you want to be.

I also appreciate that it doesn’t add a ton of weight to my kayak. My fishing kayak is already heavy, so I’m cautious about how much weight I add to it.

After owning it for several years, I can confidently say that the Power-Pole Micro Anchor will last you for years of fishing trips.

Power-Pole really thought out the multiple power options and ways to operate. I absolutely love this about it because I can use the Battery Pak or a trolling motor battery to power it. If I happen to forget my remote, I still have one mounted to my kayak and a keypad on the top of the unit, so I’m never without a way to use it.

Where I See Room for Improvement

Throughout the years, I have found a few places where the Micro Anchor doesn’t shine. I had to purchase a special bracket in order to mount it to my fishing kayak. However, some fishing kayaks don’t require a bracket to mount the Micro Anchor, but my Nucanoe Unlimited does. 

Another area I wouldn’t recommend the Micro Anchor for is fishing small creeks and rivers with lots of overhanging trees. The pole will catch all the overhanging branches, which is very frustrating.

The last area of improvement I’d like to see is actually with the Battery Pak, which I had to purchase separately. It doesn’t have enough juice to last a full day of fishing on the river, so you’ll need to bring your trolling motor battery or a spare Battery Pak. 

This shallow water anchor is a quick-deployment option for small watercraft in various environments. I’ve tried other methods, such as a traditional anchor and push pole, but the Power-Pole Micro Anchor takes the cake.

Installation Process

After buying it at my local kayak shop, I was eager to get home and install the Power-Pole Micro Anchor. However, I would learn that I must wait a little longer because I needed another bracket to mount it to my Nucanoe Unlimited. Some kayaks, like the Old Town Sportsman 106, have a designated location, making installing it even easier. 

Once I received the bracket, installing the Micro Anchor onto my kayak was straightforward. Only a few tools were needed. I love how simple it is to remove the bracket when transporting my kayak; it only takes a minute or two.

On-the-Water Performance

I’ve received many compliments from other anglers regarding the Power-Pole Micro Anchor. Most are jealous because they understand how beneficial having this little machine is while fishing. 

I was a bit nervous to test it in silty bottom fisheries because I’ve used push poles in the past that quickly worked their way out of the mud and sent me drifting in the wind or getting pulled by a fish. However, that wasn’t my experience at any of the muddy bottom lakes where I’d fished.

Thanks to the C-Monster Control System, I stayed locked in place (yes, even in the wind) because it drives the stake deeper into the mud when it registers some give. As long as you remain in shallow enough water for the stake to drive 6+ inches into the mud, you shouldn’t budge.

When the Rivers are A-Rockin’

My next concern was how it would handle rocky rivers. I was uncertain it had the power to drive through river rock and hold me in place, but I was wrong. On one trip, I faced swift currents because they were releasing water from the dam upriver. With the Micro Anchor, I held in place each time I hooked into fish.

The only problem I encountered was the Battery Pak dying because I raised and lowered it too many times. It lasted about three-quarters of the day, but I would love to see longer battery life from the Battery Pak. To avoid this, I now bring my 12V trolling motor battery, which I should have done in the first place.

One of the features I love most is the multiple ways to deploy the anchor. It comes with a remote on a lanyard, a mountable keypad, and buttons on the unit. It’s perfect if you have multiple people fishing in your boat, or if you forget the remote, you still have a backup. 

Durability

Before my purchase, I knew Power-Pole had been in the shallow-water anchor market for many years. I trusted it made quality products, and I haven’t been disappointed with the durability so far. 

Power-Pole did an excellent job ensuring this unit is as water-resistant as possible. The composite house is UV-stable, so it won’t chip, peel, crack, or fade over time. Mine still looks new, besides the dust it collects and the mice chewing on the buttons when it’s not in use in my barn.

I have not had any problems with this product functioning as it should, and expect to use it for many more years.

Conclusion

The Power-Pole Micro Anchor holds you right where you press the deploy button. I’ve reeled in 30-pound fish without breaking loose and trust it to function for years in various terrains.

It’s upped my fishing game by allowing me to stay in place and make the perfect cast to get the fish to bite without raising my paddle. While it’s a little pricey and doesn’t hold well in water deeper than 7 feet, I recommend it to every kayak angler I meet.