Anchors' Away (Down River)

[Shack]

I know this is kind of a mundane question, but I have found my self asking my self this question “what is the best river anchor”.

After my brother-in law threw mine over board last weekend, I have found my self purchasing another anchor again. The anchor he threw over board was a smaller sail boat anchor, one of the swivel/ yank and free ones. I have never owned one before and picked one up to try earlier this spring. I always have used the reg. style bell type anchor in years past (one in front and another in rear) and have had harder time in higher water levels holding boat with them (More so in current). I picked up sail boat anchor to help with this. It did seem to work, but it was a hit or miss on holding in heavy current.

My question is what types of anchors do you guys use? My brother-in law has agreed to pay for another one and I will be picking it up this week. I dropped his status a board the S.S. Shackbash from seaman to cabin boy for this one. He will have to work double time to work him self out of that hole. Thanks again and role with your comento’s!

SHACKBASH

[harvey lee]

I now use a 30# river type river anchor along with a 15# navy anchor and it holds pretty good. I also added three feet of chain to each anchor to help a little more.

I thought of buying a Richter anchor but didnt. they look to be a great anchor for the river.

One could also weld some rerod stubs to your anchor for a little more help digging in if you have access to a welder.

[Scott K]

I own the richter anchor, works awsome, buy bigger then theyrecomend for your boat, its more work lifting it in and out but if you fish alot of current, or big waves, its a must.

I have gotten it snagged several times, and got it out every time, with not much effort. I strongly recomend one.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Richters work great, as do fluke type anchors. The advantage of the fluke is that they are very light, but you have to pay out more line. Much easier on the back, though.

[Catmendo]

Checkout "DIGGER" anchor's. They work extremely well. In clay or mud bottoms they are absolutely amazing and they're also locally made in Minnesota.

[PierBridge]

Here are few more thoughts on Anchors.

Anchors

[hanson]

Water spikes do hold well when they grab, but the current also likes to sweep them back aways before they'll hit bottom. So if you go with a water spike, you'll have to motor a significant ways up from where you want to anchor before you drop it in the river.

I use Richters and actually have (2) 25 pounders in my boat. They do work great but I'm also a bit leary of losing a $70 anchor to the river some day.

River anchors are good, Navy anchors are good, and in my opinion, heavier is better.

Dennis Steele has used a couple great homemade anchors the last few years. "Big Bertha" was lost up at Lockport but that anchor could hold. It was sort of a heavy, Richter style anchor. I have heard his new Grappling hook style anchor is the cat's meow!

[Shack]

Thanks for all of your responses. I might make out good on this one. With the reimbursement from my brother in law, a still valid gander gift card and a little out of pocket from my self, the Richter is a big possibility. I have an 18 foot boat and I figure I can not use Richter in my anchor hoist (just like spike style I just had). Would spending an extra $10.00 for 25 lbs, verses the 18 lbs be a good idea? Also would my existing mushroom anchor still work for anti-sway in rear (possible trial and error)? I sure like the sound of the “Richter”. Go to the spot, drop and fish. No more drop anchor up stream, go in rev. or float down until is grabs. I sure game for that. Thanks again.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

Would spending an extra $10.00 for 25 lbs, verses the 18 lbs be a good idea?

---

Definitely go with the 25lb for river fishing! Your mushroom should be able to hold your back end from swaying, I would think.

[Scott K]

Ditto!!

[Larry FlatCaster]

Here is one that I made a year ago. Created in the form of a richtor anchor. First prototype was 71lbs darn near killed myself lifting into the boat. Cut half off with a torch and drop her down to 41 lbs.

It was a beast. But it held in anything.

She now rests on the bottom of the MN river thanks to one of my fishing parters. He still swears its an accident to this day. I think he just got tired of me wanting to try differnent spots all the time.

[sparcebag]

The king of all anchors,I think I would've let the line slip away also!ouch my back?

[rushing]

Looks like that could hold a tug boat or a cruise ship!

[Shack]

LFC,

That one looks a little hard to stow. Go idea though.

[Larry FlatCaster]

Quote:

---

LFC,

That one looks a little hard to stow. Go idea though.

---

There wasn't any stowing that beast. The best place for it was over the side, when I wasn't in transit. I do miss it sometimes when the water is ripping.

[Shack]

Well here it is, my richter anchor set up.

I had to go with 18lbs set up, because thats all store had instock. There was a little damage on PVC coating and after talking to clerck about it and him trying to talk me into sail boat/spike anchor, I told him about every one on FM saying the richter was the way to go. He changed his mind when I said this and I informed him I post on there. After this he gave me a better discount for being an FM'er.. That was cool. PLus my gift card from 2 or 3 years ago was still valid. I walked out pay out of pocket a little over $20 bucks for anchor. I added clevis,chain and rope. I put a slide up inside of nylon rope since for looping around chain loop. I was worried about rubber coating damage getting larger. Has anyone had entire rubber coating come off of ther richter anchor? Well than ks for all of your comments. Good luck!

P.S.

If 18lbs does not hold bow well, I will buy anther 25lbs setup for bow and put this 18lbs in stern area. I will still use mushroom style for rear of boat for time being.

[DTro]

$20?

You got a heckuva deal. They have any more for that price?

[sparcebag]

If your worried about a bad spot on vinyl? rubber? There is a liquid vinyl made for coating plier handles tools.dont remember the name but menards carries it.It works pretty good!LFC you would have needed bout 10 gallons

[PierBridge]

I think it was $20 cash plus whatever his gift card was for.

Why so long on the chain?

[Shack]

They are $52.00 to begin with, plus discount for damage and $20 gift gard. The $21 and something left, I paid cash. This was at gander in Blaine. They have only one left with bigger chunk out of pvc. The chain is 4 or 5 feet long, this came this way. I bought it for around $6.00 from walfart as an anchor chain. I figure the longer chain will hold me in place better. I read about this in another thread. Bought clevis for around 2 bucks and had rope. Sparcebag, I have some PVC liquid elec. tape. I might try that. thanks again guys!

[Larry FlatCaster]

Chain serves a couple purposes.

first, depending on the anchor if you are using a danforth, also known as a fluke,or using a navy anchor the chain allows the anchor to lay flat so it can bite into the bottom allowing for better grabbing power without having to increase your scope.

(scope is the amount of line you let out on your anchor.)

Second, chain will also take the brunt of the hard wear and tear, If the anchor gets fouled (hung up) a rope can get worn or cut in some instances.

Typically when your using a chain on an anchor you want to go with a very heavy logging or towing chain. The Added extra wieght it very helpful.

[Shack]

Well I got out last night and used my anchor system. Boy did it work great. This is the coolest and best anchor I have ever owned. It held every time I dropped it. Very, very little movement. Even dropped out in main channel current it would hold right away. Never got snagged up and it broke loose every time. I am sold on richter anchors. I will wait and see next spring if I will need to upgrade bow to a 25lbs, but for now the 18lbs works great. I run rope threw Bow eyelet and tie off to cleet in bow of boat. I have found the more center you have rope running to boat, the less movement you get. Thanks again for all your guy's help. This anchor made fishing a little more fun last night. I also like how you can pick up anchor and move down stream and even controll the direction your boat goes and stop it on a dime. Really cool!

SHACKBASH