Lost Anchor

[mesajeeper]

I lost a very nice and expensive box anchor yesterday. I don't know how, but the anchor rope clip unhooked from the anchor. when we pulled anchor, the clip was still on the rope in perfect condition, but the anchor was not. The good thing is the water is only maybe 8 feet deap but the bottom 4 feet is all moss. I thought of droping a magnet in the area but the anchor is stainless steel and the magnet will not work. I am thinking now of bringing a poll to the area and poking around to see if I can feel it.

Any other ideas? It is probably like finding a needle in a haystack but for $400+ for a replacement I've got to try. I know exactly where I was anchored so I hope I might get lucky. I was thinking of sonar but wouldn't the moss hide the anchor? I could probably get a friend with a bass boat to scan the area if you guys think it would see it. I am out of ideas and would love some suggestions.

Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lost Anchor

An anchor would show up like a sore thumb on a good quailty sonar unit. If worst comes to worst, dragging a grappling hook should work.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Lost Anchor

I agree that it should show up on sonar but in only 8' of water, with most units, the cone that is being scanned would be pretty small .... it would be easy to miss it by a few inches .... your best bet would be to find one with as wide of an scan angle as possible

Jim

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Lost Anchor

Sorry to hear that, but lesson learned. Never use a clip on always use a screw on caliper.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Lost Anchor

I lost a very nice and expensive box anchor yesterday. I don't know how, but the anchor rope clip unhooked from the anchor. when we pulled anchor, the clip was still on the rope in perfect condition, but the anchor was not. The good thing is the water is only maybe 8 feet deap but the bottom 4 feet is all moss. I thought of droping a magnet in the area but the anchor is stainless steel and the magnet will not work. I am thinking now of bringing a poll to the area and poking around to see if I can feel it.

Any other ideas? It is probably like finding a needle in a haystack but for $400+ for a replacement I've got to try. I know exactly where I was anchored so I hope I might get lucky. I was thinking of sonar but wouldn't the moss hide the anchor? I could probably get a friend with a bass boat to scan the area if you guys think it would see it. I am out of ideas and would love some suggestions.

Thanks

Moss covering the bottom?? depth finders, fish finders, side imaging units will not detect the anchor in the moss, vegetation.
As also stated, the cone of visibility in 8 feet of water is very small. Depending upon the operating frequency of the depth finder 455 kHz or 800 kHz determines the width of the scan.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Lost Anchor

how about a metal detector? Not sure if you can find one that is sensitive enough, but I'd have to imagine a big chunk of metal in an environment without many other false positives shouldn't be too hard to pick up.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Lost Anchor

scuba gear.

also, you should have a shackle and chain on the end of the rope, not a clip

 

[mr 88]

Re: Lost Anchor

Scuba gear or ask the local scuba shop if they know any divers, that will be paid for finding your lost anchor, with you showing them wear it was misplaced.

scuba gear.

also, you should have a shackle and chain on the end of the rope, not a clip

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Lost Anchor

grappling hook

commercial crabbers put hooks on sash weights to find pots that come unhooked. With the moss you don't want much hook.

or send me out there fishing and if I hook on my most expensive favorite lure I'll find it all right

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lost Anchor

A lot of stainless steel is magnetic - are you sure the anchor is made from the non magnetic type?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Lost Anchor

Next question...

 

[dtj]

Re: Lost Anchor

Mask and snorkel, if you know exactly where it is in 8 feet of water you should find it in less than 5 minutes.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Lost Anchor

Mask and snorkel, if you know exactly where it is in 8 feet of water you should find it in less than 5 minutes.

Exactly what I was thinking... If I ever lost my anchor in 8 feet of water, I would be down there with a line to reconnect it before I ever left that spot of water, weeds or no weeds... Even with 4 feet of weed growth or murky water, its not like its a small item, you should be able to find it by feel alone if neccessary.

Chances of finding it now are likely a lot less unless the OP marked it on GPS or something.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Lost Anchor

Ask the authorities to drain the lake.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Lost Anchor

... I don't know how, but the anchor rope clip unhooked from the anchor. when we pulled anchor, the clip was still on the rope in perfect condition, but the anchor was not...

By "Anchor Rope Clip", I will assume you mean as spring loaded Carabiner style clip.
One good twist and these can "Cam Out" of the connection.
You should be a believer now!

More than one person has died using these in climbing gear.
And Yes, I know they are commly used in recreational climbing.

Use a shackle or a locking Carabiner if you do not want to loose it again.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lost Anchor

What type of box anchor cost $400?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Lost Anchor

What type of box anchor cost $400?

I was wondering the same thing--sounds like a might big rig for an 8' deep lake. That's when you just plop over a mushroom.

 

[mesajeeper]

Re: Lost Anchor

A lot of stainless steel is magnetic - are you sure the anchor is made from the non magnetic type?

Yes, I have two of these anchors. One for the front and one for the rear of the boat to prevent twisting around when fishing. My origional plan was to get a large Harbor Freight magnat and poke around in the area and try to find the anchor. I tested the second anchor and found that the magnet did not work. I thought maybe the anchor was crome plated instead of stainless but i was wrong.

 

[mesajeeper]

Re: Lost Anchor

Mask and snorkel, if you know exactly where it is in 8 feet of water you should find it in less than 5 minutes.

I will give this a try asap. Thanks for the idea.

 

[mesajeeper]

Re: Lost Anchor

What type of box anchor cost $400?

This kind



Although mine may be the smaller one, I am not sure. The bummer is I am partners on the boat with my brother so I will replace the anchor with the stainless one whether we need it or not. I will always make good on my half of the deal. I sure hope I can recover it. I will be going back out tomorrow evening on a mission to recover the anchor.