Spot-Lock or Shallow Water Anchors [Which Do You Need?]

When it comes to finding the right equipment for your boat, you have a few important options for boat control. Two of the most popular tools are a trolling motor with Spot-Lock^® and Raptor or Talon shallow water anchors. Both tools provide the boat control you need to take your fishing to the next level, but one question we hear often is, “Which one do I need?”

Let’s dig into the advantages of each and figure out which tool is best for your fishing style.

Professional Angler Explains the Benefits of Spot-Lock and Shallow Water Anchors

While Spot-Lock and shallow water anchors provide many of the same benefits for boat control, they are ultimately two different tools. Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bill Lowen explains why he thinks Spot-Lock and shallow water anchors are essential tools for all anglers.

Watch Lowen break down the options, benefits, common uses, and much more.

Spot-Lock GPS Anchor Benefits

There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular tools in fishing over the past decade: Minn Kota Spot-Lock revolutionized boat control by making it simple and effective for anglers of all skill levels.

By engaging Spot-Lock, you can automatically position the boat where you want it to be regardless of the water conditions. This is particularly useful when fishing in windy conditions, areas with current, and deeper water. Sneak up on your spot, hit the button, and the bow of your boat is going to stay right where you want it to while the trolling motor handles the wind and waves to keep you there. Catch a fish, hit Spot-Lock, and you no longer float off your spot during or after the fight.

Minn Kota trolling motors with GPS technologies can use Spot-Lock with a quick press of a button on your trolling motor’s foot pedal, wireless remote, the One-Boat Network Mobile App, or a Humminbird® Fish finder—giving you a variety of ways to hold your position with ease.

Shallow Water Anchor Benefits

If you find yourself fishing in more shallow waters, it’s great to add Raptors or Talons on the transom of your boat. Both Raptor and Talon feature a whisper-quiet deployment of the anchoring spike, so you don’t have to worry about spooking fish or disturbing sediment.

Simply deploy the shallow water anchors and your boat will hold perfectly still exactly where you want it, no matter the conditions. Wind, waves, and currents are no longer a nuisance on the water.

Shallow water anchors also come in handy when unloading or docking your boat, especially if you’re out on a solo fishing trip. Easily and safely secure your boat while you make a quick trip to park or grab your truck. Add in the one-of-a-kind smart features of Active Anchoring and Auto Bottom of the Minn Kota Raptor and lock down with added confidence.

How Deep Do Shallow Water Anchors Go?

The most common depth options for shallow water anchors are 8ft and 10ft, but Minn Kota also offers depths up to 12-15ft on the Talon models—allowing anglers to anchor down in greater depths than ever before.

Shallow Water Anchor Styles

The major difference between the shallow water anchor styles—Raptor and Talon—is the deployment method. Minn Kota Raptors feature an articulating hydraulic arm that swings out and down to keep you in place, reaching depths up to 10ft. Minn Kota Talons have a telescoping anchoring spike that deploys straight down to depths up to 15ft. 

Minn Kota Raptor and Talon shallow water anchors can be deployed/retracted using your wireless remote, stomp switches, the One-Boat Network Mobile App, or a Humminbird Fish finder—giving you a variety of ways to control them.

Should I Buy a Trolling Motor with Spot-Lock or Shallow Water Anchors?

Ultimately, when deciding whether you want to upgrade to a trolling motor with Spot-Lock, shallow water anchors like Raptor or Talon, or both, you have to consider your fishing style and where you’re fishing most often. 

Shallow Water Anglers

While Spot-Lock is versatile enough to be used in all depths of water, it excels from a fishing perspective in water deeper than 8ft. The spinning of the prop in shallow water can disturb fish and kick up sediment, so If you spend most of your time in the shallows, we’d recommend upgrading your boat with Raptor or Talon shallow water anchors to bring even more stealth and boat control to your fishing style.

Offshore Anglers

If you spend most of your time off the bank or shallows (8ft and deeper), it’s an easy decision to upgrade to a Minn Kota trolling motor with GPS Technology and Spot-Lock. Spot-Lock will immediately improve your experience on the water the very first day you have access to it. 

Shallow & Offshore Anglers

To have complete control of your boat in all fishing scenarios and conditions, we recommend having both tools on your boat to give you shallow water stealth and deep water mastery. 

Spot-Lock would help you with complete boat control in almost any scenario, but it would come in handy when fishing away from the shoreline and is as simple as a press of a button. When your Raptor or Talon shallow water anchors cannot reach bottom, this is when your send Spot-Lock into duty to lock down your spot.

Raptor or Talon anchors would help you make launching your boat a breeze, quietly lock your boat down effectively to pick apart docks or shallow targets with precision and provide an overall rock-solid way to stop your boat in its tracks quickly.

I can only buy one, a trolling motor with Spot-Lock or Shallow Water Anchors, which should I get?

If we had to choose just one tool, we would lean towards adding a Minn Kota trolling motor with Spot-Lock because it is the most versatile option since it can be used in both shallow and deeper water and provides overall more options for controlling your boat.

Other features that a GPS-enabled Minn Kota trolling motor can provide include, AutoPilot, Cruise Control, Follow a Contour*, Go-To, Drift Mode**, and much more. Learn more about Minn Kota’s Advanced GPS technologies. 

Conclusion

For 90 years Minn Kota has established itself as the leader in boat control. Regardless of your fishing style and budget, with either Spot-Lock or shallow water anchors, you’ll have a dependable solution that keeps your boat right where you want it. 

*Requires a networked Humminbird fish finder with LakeMaster or CoastMaster HD mapping
**Available on 2023 and newer Minn Kota models