Bass boat anchor

[mgd7922]

I don't know if this is the right forum, but hopefully it is. I've got a 17.5 foot nitro bass boat and I'm wondering what kind of anchor is best to use, and storage is a big thing because I don't use an anchor much at all so I don't want it to take up a bunch of space, but I want to always have one just in case. Last year when I got the boat I bought the grapnel anchor kit at bps, mainly because it was lightweight and compact. I've used it once just to hold me still in a cove while I had lunch, and when I went to pull it up it was stuck and I ended pulling off one of the grapnels. I think it will still work fine, but in about a month I'm going on a trip to Lake martin in alabama which is a bigger lake then I normally fish and I want to buy another anchor, but I'm not sure if the grapnel anchor is the best. So after saying all this, what anchor would you get, and what are the pros and cons?

[Idaho Jeep]

great thread... will be following along. I know I will want to anchor on occasion. I found one on Craigslist for only $20 with rope and a nice case. Hopefully it will work but I have no idea what is suggested.... looks like this http://www.amazon.com/Dutton-L...=8-12

[JRO_1399]

I've been through quite a few watercraft courses during training and all of the water patrol boats had lightweight fold up anchors. I asked about it and the guy swore by them. Don't remember what they were called.

[nsane]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by JRO_1399 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I've been through quite a few watercraft courses during training and all of the water patrol boats had lightweight fold up anchors. I asked about it and the guy swore by them. Don't remember what they were called.</td></tr></table> try to find out

[bassdad]

I use the Seasense Navy design - front and back 10lbs or 15lbs. with 2-4 ft chain and 5/8in rope. Holds me steady - can use 2 front or 2 at back depending on the current / drift.
http://www.iboats.com/Navy-Anc...38314

[fishingmike]

I use a Guardian made by Fortress. Great product, fair price, and will hold an aircraft carrier. They are light weight and built very tough. Would never launch my rig without it on board.

[ClaySlayer]

I use an 18lb river anchor with a ~4ft chain between it and the rope...if I know the current is going to be very strong I have another 10lb mushroom I can carry for added holding power. Had I bought one specifically for the bass boat I might have gone the navy anchor route but I already had these two from the duck boat.

[183elite]

Ha....this right up my alley.

Just remember that the recovery is about 60% of a good anchor. One that actually holds is the other 40%.

The best that I have found is a fluke type anchor that collapses. These provide the best holding power and are easy to store. These anchors generally have a holding capacity many times greater than there own weight which helps alot when dealing with boats that are weight sensitive and built for speed. The only draw back with these hooks is that they sometimes dig into a really soft bottom and don't want to let go. If this happens, just spin the boat around to the other side of the anchor and pull in the opposite direction that it is "biting" in and she'll pop free. Having the confidence that the anchor will hold for you is worth the extra trouble of pulling it.

A mushroom (or bell type) also do fairly well but for a 17' boat you will need to get a 12lbs or bigger to prevent drift in high winds. These are really easy to recover as all you are doing is lifting weight and not having to physically break the anchor out of the mud. These are also cumbersome to store.

There are a plethra of small hooks on the market but be sure to check the holding capacity to make sure that it justifies the cost and required storage.

[mgd7922]

If I was to get a fluke style, what size do you think I should get? Also, I've heard of people using a few feet of chain directly on the anchor, and then rope. Is this really necessary or can you use just rope tied straight on the anchor? Sorry, I'm clueless on this topic if you haven't figured that out yet.

[fishingmike]

Go tot the Fortress web site and it will give you giudelines for picking one of their anchors.

Yes you need the chain, it helps the anchor dig in. The make vinyl covers chains so you avoid the rust.

[seance]

I have used Danforth, Fluke the mushroom type, etc and the best anchor I have ever seen & used is called a "Box Anchor" Nothing else even compares IMO