Putting the river on hold with a spike!

[Ray Esboldt]

FMers,

This is probably preaching to the choir as most FMers are fishing encyclopedias, but I just wanted to share a product that I recently came across, the Waterspike anchor. I'm sure plenty of you already have experience with this product, so bear with me. But, I'm ready to declare the Waterspike anchor the best anchor I've ever used and I've used a bunch.

I gave it a recent test on the Mississippi north of the Coon Rapids dam. If you don't know that stretch, even in normal conditions the current rips at a pretty good clip. Even the largest anchors drag helplessly in this stretch of river's relentless current. The Waterspike stuck me on point A. Once it found something to dig into, I stayed there.

Now, a couple caveats. One, follow the directions that come with the anchor. This anchor needs to be deployed spikes down to get the biggest benefits. Two, use lots of rope. The lesser the slope of the rope, the more effectively the anchor digs in. Three, use heavy rope (I used 3/8") connected to a couple feet of chain. The less the rope stretches the better the anchor stays put.

Now, here's the best part of the anchor. You can make FishingMinnesota.com an even better place to hang out by purchasing it right here.
http://www.fishingminnesota.com/waterspike

This product has improved the quality of my fishing, and I'm positive it will improve yours.

[This message has been edited by Ray Esboldt (edited 06-02-2003).]

[Guest]

I agree on the these anchors. On the Miss, I do A LOT of moving from wingdam to wingdam... and my ole 25# anchor gets to be a chore pulling. The waterspike is much easier on the body, and like you said, once it grabs... it GRABS.

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-FNC

"If I had a job... I'd quit it."

[Jim W]

Hmmmmmm,
I need a new anchor, good timing!!

Jim W

[Guest]

It's amazing that such a light anchor can hold so solidly in anything from boulders to mud. The release is pretty amazing as well.

Click here and check it out.

I'm sure most serious FMers already have one in their boats?

[SpikeRoberts]

Another thread about a useful product...and I thought this thread was about me

[Guest]

Good post Ray.
I've owned a Waterspike for almost 6 years now and it's the only anchor I use and if I loose it, it will be the only one I'll ever buy again.
They will hold your boat on any type of structure, even on a down-slope.
They are light, compact and easy to use.
The main thing about them is that you need to let out enough line so that the points can grab in and hold. Once you learn to use one correctly, you will never use anything else.

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>"////=<
Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail
N.P.A.A. # 841

[Northlander]

I found that a lot of time I dont have room to let out that much line so I use a 25 pound river anchor. They are good when you have room though.

[Rick]

The amount of rope let out is determined by how deep your anchor is. Generally it needs to be at a 25 to 35 degree angle from the point it attaches on your boat.

The good news is that it is very lightweight and will hold your boat in just about anything once you learn how to use it correctly.

The easiest way to set it is to gently tug on the rope until you feel it set (which usually happens very quickly). Once it's set, you know you have enough rope out.

Great anchor for holding you solid.

Click here for more info or to order yours.

Anyone else care to share their experience with a WaterSpike anchor?

[united jigsticker]

I have used one of these anchors, and the only pit fall was getting caught in a 30-40 mph wind storm with it.

I absolutley HAD to use the motor to get back to where the anchor was dropped, as pulling the boat back to the anchor to release it against a 40 mph wind was near to impossible.

The boat didn't even BUDGE!

Excellent holding power, and releases easy once the rope is near vertical.

A Great product for boats of all sizes, even small ones due to it's light weight.

[This message has been edited by united jigsticker (edited 06-05-2003).]

[Guest]

These are excellant anchors. I use them on Lake Erie with very good results. On the inland reservoirs though you'd better go with a coffe can and Sackrete. Those stumps will eat up anything so you'll want to go cheap when the rope needs to be cut.