any suggestions ? was at the hill this past sunday and could not get my anchor to grab anything in the whitecaps until it got hung in the oxy sytem (i think)-did get it back after a little tug of war match-was in 100 ft of water with 200 ft of rope out --i use a 6lb danforth style anchor with 4ft of heavy chain on it–tryn to keep the weight down so i dont have to pull up 20lbs of anchor–wondering if one of those grappling hook type (sand) anchors will hold in mud?
Danforth type is best in mud or sand and graple type is actually the worst. A graple anchor is best for hard structure like rocks or metal wrecks/artificial reef. Specifically, a fortress brand danforth with mud paws and extended angle “mud” setting is best for mud in shallower water. Sometimes no single anchor will hold in pluff mud if it’s deep and soft enough and you have to use more than one anchor to hold yourself. I doubt that’s the case for you though.
You have what you need already though. You just need to keep your stem down in that kind of breeze, so you need more chain.
The retrieval system will float the anchor on the surface for you so that you pull slack line into the boat rather than pulling the weight and drag of the anchor, rode and chain all the way up from the bottom.
A boat fender or even a five gallon bucket with lid snapped on will also float an anchor in a pinch.
phin–i never would have thought about retreiveing an anchor that way but its so simple its perfect!i will be fabricating something up like that retreival ball–added some more chain will try it out soon --thanks for the tip
Cant beat an anchor ball! I use a home made grapple anchor with 12’ heavy chain and a lot of rope and never have a problem even with a heavy wind! The anchir is made with 16" of 2" rebar with 3/8" rebar welded at a 45 deg angle, 8 of them ,cut with a point on the end If it gets hung tie it off and hit the throtle wide open it will bend and relese.
17’ boat, 18# anchor, with 15’ chain for me. But I eat my Wheaties before I head out.
Did I meantion that I hate trying to set an anchor. It sets up quickly, but I also fish in really fast moving bays, and if the anchor gives way I could be taking a 5’ wave over the transom before I realized it.
I watched the youtube video and the anchor ball method was pretty slick, but shouldn’t you be 100 sure your anchored up in mud? If the anchor is hung up it seems like you could get in trouble real fast motoring into the weather/seas with a line tied to your bow.
I watched the youtube video and the anchor ball method was pretty slick, but shouldn’t you be 100 sure your anchored up in mud? If the anchor is hung up it seems like you could get in trouble real fast motoring into the weather/seas with a line tied to your bow.
Tied to the bow is the ONLY place it should be tied unless dragging your anchor. If notice sells was using a mighty might with the bendable arms. Also he went a different course than straight up his rode. If it doesnt break loose, your bow would just spin you back toward youranchor
you need more rope to anchor in 100 ft of water…5:1 scope and you are at 2:1 A lot of club members have began using “mule tape” for anchor rope. I have 600 ft of it and it only fills up half of a 5 gallon bucket.
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…