Anchor info needed

[phototom1]

I have a 17 Tracker TX boat. I need info as to the size and of the Anchor and rope needed. I will be in waters up to 30 feet mostly soft bottoms I do not fish in winds over 15-18 MPH.
Will a mushroom anchor work well .
Thanks
Tom H

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Anchor info needed

A 6 to 10 lb Danforth style with 8 to 10 feet of chain and 150 feet of 3/8" three-strand nylon would probably work well.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Anchor info needed

Does anyone really use a length of chain on a small fishing boat?
I've only seen it twice in my life.

If all you are doing is fishing (not anchoring over night), you can get by with 1/4" line, and a 10-14# mushroom or river anchor.

1/4" line is hard on the hands though, so 3/8" is what I use.

Following the 7:1 scope rule, you would need 210' of line. But again, on a small fishing boat, really not needed.
I have 50' on my jon boat, and 75' on my 18' aluminum.

Most often when I anchor it is for 2 reasons.
One, is to keep the boat in position for fishing structure.
Two, is to keep from getting too close to other fishing boats.
In either case, I use the minimum amount of line, so the boat does not swing away from structure, or into the other boats.

Very rarely do I ever let out more than 20' of extra line.


But, if you want to do it properly, then you need 210' of rode with 10' of chain and shackles, $100 anchor, and $80 worth of hardware and rope.

 

[airshot]

Re: Anchor info needed

Your mushroom anchor will work but probably not the best. In calm winds you will be OK but as the wind picks up you may begin to drift.
Size of the anchor (weight) also makes a big difference. The most efficienttype will be the Danforth as suggested in previous posting. You should have at least 3 to 4x the depth in anchor line. A minium of 5/16" diameter line will be needed, 3/8" would be better if using a lesser quality of line. One of the newer trends in anchors is found at Bass Pro stores I believe it is called a cheen anchor or something like that, similiar to the danforth but smaller with greater holding power and has a design to make it easier to release. Hope this helps...............

Airshot

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Anchor info needed

A 17 foot boat in 18 MPH wind is going to require "proper" anchoring to remain in one spot. Chain in the rode allows for much less scope for a given amount of wind or current and really makes anchors work correctly, so it is a good idea for any boat, IMO. I had chain in the rode on my 17 footer. Did not on my 10 foot jon boat though. My anchor on that boat was a coffee can filled with cement and metal loop, tied to clothesline. That worked fine when I was a kid.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Anchor info needed

I recommended 3/8" line only because it is easier on the hands when hauling it in, than the thinner stuff. Strength of it will be a bit overkill for this application.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Anchor info needed

I fish my relatively heavy 18' aluminum boat in rivers, sound and ocean. We regularly anchor in up to 160' of water halibut fishing and face currents up to 8mph and winds similar to what you describe. I assure you, I don't follow the rules for scope/rode and have no problems because every formula has variables. For 160', I use 300' of 7/16 line, 20' of 5/15 chain and a really heavy anchor. To pull it, most folks around here use what's called a Columbia River Anchor System and it works slick. Basically, it's a really large float with a device attaching it to the line that allows the line to pull UP but not slip back down. When you want to pull your anchor, you simply drive the boat past the float and continue driving. The line pulls through the cam device and the anchor comes up until the chain hits the float. Drive back pulling in the slack and hopefully talk your fishing buddy into pulling the last 20' of chain and REAL heavy anchor.
For your application, I would say the mushroom should work OK but prefer Danforth styles with some chain for softer bottoms. I also agree on the minimum 3/8 line and pack more than you think you'll need.
Columbia river system deployed:

 

[kaldeh]

Re: Anchor info needed

Try a box anchor by Slide Anchor .
I have found these to be the best type anchor for fishing and no chain is required. I use one on a 19 Stratos that can pull 16 pounds of mushroom in the slightest breeze. They are pricey but work as described.

 

[Lurch77]

Re: Anchor info needed

I just received my Digger Anchor. I have not had the chance to use it yet, but I bring it up as an option. I have read nothing but positive reviews on them. They completely break away to easily lift it from the bottom. A hard jerk to the line while pulling it up will allow the flukes to drop. Only a 5:1 scope required, and they actually recommend not using chain. That's one less thing to mess with. I wish this question would have came up a few weeks from now after I had some first hand experience. Digger Anchor

 

[colbyt]

Re: Anchor info needed

If I ever feel the need to fish in an 18 MPH wind I will surely follow some of this advice.



Seriously, I realize some of you folks have to with that on the big ponds.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Anchor info needed

You have a 17 foot tracker and you said soft bottom rivers. Get a 20 pound river anchor and two foot of chain connected to the anchor then 50 to 60 foot of rope connected to the chain. In your case you dont care about the rode or any of that. The 2 foot of chain is to keep your rope from getting cut on bottom debris. With the above setup your boat will hold in any river. My guess is you could get away with a 15 pound river anchor but I know a 20 will hold you. I have a 25 pound river anchor and it holds my 19 foot IO in the Missouri river current with no issue.