Last couple of times out had a hard time holding the bottom in a decent wind/tide. Its kinda challenging when you are trying to figure out how to fish, where to fish and you cant stay in one spot. A couple of times I found fish but couldn’t get the boat to hold.
I have an anchor that stumpy from this forum kindly sold me, 6’ of chain, but as i say, even after letting out nearly all my line coudnt hold.
so, went up again to marine west (this is becoming pretty regular) got a new anchor , 8lb dansforth and some other stuff, but saw the pwere poles while i was there.
If there is a decent wind and current, will a powerpole hold a 20’ boat in say 5’of water?
seems like if it does i could focus on fishing as opposed to the boat side of things
Get more chain on a correctly sized anchor. I use the 1/2 of boat’s length = the amt of chain I have.
or…
a cajun anchor-----I use a grounding rod.
To be honest, I usually take both and use what works for each situation. The “cajun anchor” / grounding rod is much more stealthy and easier to handle though.
Were you in sand or mud? Might be the anchor you have just doesn’t open up enough. Try bending the flukes a little bit. Just be sure to bend the in opposite directions so either way it lays there is a chance for a dig in. Doesn’t need to be a big bend, just enough to make the points dig quicker. You may need a bigger anchor.
Before I bought a powerpole I would strongly consider a MinnKota trolling motor with IPilot instead. Beats a anchor or powerpole hands down. Put the boat where you want it and tell the trolling motor to stay there, and just like magic, boat stays right there. Doesn’t matter how deep the water is either. It’s about made anchors, stake out sticks and powerpoles obsolete.
You can buy 15 stick-it anchor pins from Haddrell’s for what one powerpole costs. Try the poor man’s power pole, Ive got 2 of them one in 8’ and one in 10’. If it’s too deep, I drop the ipilot.
Sorry the anchor isn’t working out for you man…maybe a little longer chain like I suggested would have helped. Even with the new one you bought you should run 8+ ft of 5/16 or better chain. I run that same anchor with 10’ of 5/16 chain. Since adding the longer chain I have not had it slip once…even in 30+ ft of water on a flood tide. I’m sure you will get it right after a few tries! Good luck man!
I also use 2 galvanized ground rods to hold me still instead of pp’s or stick pins. They work great. Use stainless shackles and some rope, a cut piece of swimming noodle to protect the boat and minimize rattle. 30-40$ total…tough to beat and cheap to replace! I’ll send a pic when I can, it seems photobucket is down right now.
Fishing Nerd
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
Get a 16lb lewmar claw and 8 ft of the heavy 5/16 chain. You wont ever have to worry about setting in mud or sand again. You can use a very short or long scope and still hold instantly.
I’ve always been disappointed in the Danforth anchors. I’m not sure why anyone in Charleston still uses them. We anchor constantly, and I’ve never had a proper claw anchor slip even in the fastest currents. I was gifted my first claw, and I’ll never go back.
The downside to the claw is the extra weight. If you got a bad back you might want to bring a younger mate with you to do the pulling. They also don’t fit in small anchor lockers.
I have a 24’ bay boat with a t-top and a 10’ power pole blade. Holds with no problem. I will suggest trying a stick it pin first to see if that’s enough for your boat. I use one occasionally off the bow in addition to the power pole to keep the boat from swinging around with wind and current.
Stump, I’m sure its user error…i have 6’ of chain, maybe I should get more…i did pick up an 8lb anchor, will give that a go this weekend. Would love to see the pics of your homemade powerpole!
The i pilot w/GPS positioning looks very cool, how many hours can you get out of two charged batteries?
Will also look at the cheap mans power poles if i still have anchor issues.
A excellent anchor chain swivel will make an improvement! See Harbor Freight tools website for good/cheap one.
Pushpole!
Stake out from bow, with bow mount.
If I were to spend the money to look “cool”, I get the Min-Kota Talon.
FYI - anchoring from the stern is not very smart in any swift moving water. 2 “power pole” boats have sunk here in South Jersey in the ICW on MOON tide, clearly operator error
2nd recommendation for the “claw anchor.” Like the Sea-Dog version of the Rocenca Anchor, but had a machine shop cut the slot along the shank to back out the anchor if snagged.
Fishing the beaches, Bays & Ocean of Wildwood/Cape May, NJ
Soon a resident of Georgetown, SC
i found the ipilot not to be as precise as i need. im glad i test drove a friends before i bought and wish i had put on 2 powerpoles vs 1
Supposedly the new ones have a better way of keeping in one spot. Also, the new MotorGuide GPS positioning is night and day better than the iPilot according to reviews I can find, as is the Rhodan.
IMHO, it depends on the type of fishing you’ll do, they each have their place.
i agree and have heard the same thing. im waiting for Motoguides shorter shaft 109 # version. pedal is an option too. which i prefer
have a friend with a Rhodan. it was no more accurate than the Minnkota. i have had terrible luck with Minnkotas.
Quick Update.
I added 6’ of chain, making a total of 12’ and had no issues at all holding bottom. It was night and day difference in being able to put the anchor out and hold first time. I spent a lot more time fishing and had my best day out, a bunch if trout and a couple of nice reds, mostly on artificials.
I have a riptide trolling motor and it looks like i can buy a new top unit that will upgrade t to the ipilot. I’m gonna think about doing that.
Stump - i should have listened to your original advice and got the 12’ of chain to go with the anchor i got from you, at least i will have a spare anchor now!
I have a 4.5lb one of these with plenty of chain for my 14’ Bentz-Craft. It is hit and miss. If the bottom is nice and soft (sand or mud), it’ll hang. If the bottom is not quite soft, it is impossible to get it to hang. I’ve even tried sharpening the points and edges to give it a better chance of digging with no improvement.
Hate it.
I have a 4 lb of these for my 17’ HenryO which is a large hull for a 17 foot boat and it works well.
You wouldn’t think the shape of the flukes would make that much difference. But, the plain old simple danforth shape does the job.
Also, have an 8’ stick-it which I use any time it’ll reach the bottom.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
If the water is shallow enough for me to stick it, the stick-it holds. I’ve used it plenty of times where when I’ve gotten it stuck, the handle was a few inches underwater. It helps a little to give it a little line so that the vertical component of any wave action won’t pull straight up on the stick.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
