How often do you still use an anchor?

[Alex from GA]

When I'm in FL the water is usually shallow, less than 12', and I'll anchor if I want to thoroughly fish a spot.  I don't have a spot lock or power poles.  On rivers either with my boat or kayak I'll anchor all the time.     

[LrgmouthShad]

My rig is a Hobie Outback. I have an anchor trolley installed on the left flank of the kayak. I anchor quite a bit - even in the hydrilla. I find that a constant stable platform is often essential to dissecting an area. The greatest trouble with utilizing an anchor trolley with a kayak is precision. I will always be away from my anchor a certain distance and I will always sway back and forth in the wind while anchored. I may line up a cast towards the same object on two consecutive casts, but because of the swaying, my retrieve angle will be different each time and often will change during the retrieve. This is why it is easiest to cover regions or large objects offshore rather than small objects in a kayak. I can still target offshore brushpiles with relative efficiency. It just might take me a few to several casts for me to locate the pile after marking it and start lining up casts to it.

[padlin]

I thought an anchor trolley went from bow to stern so you could use any anchor point

[ElGuapo928]

I haven’t used the anchor in years, only carry it in case of emergency. My brush grippers on the other hand, they get some use. 
 

One of these years I’d like to upgrade to a spot lock system, but for now tying off to the brush works fine.

[GRiver]

On 10/20/2023 at 10:42 AM, Alex from GA said:

I don't have a spot lock or power poles. 

I made myself shallow water anchors with fiberglass tree stakes. As far as using a throwable anchor, not for a long time. Like @ol'crickety said earlier, about parking the pads. I use that method too. 

[detroit1]

Maybe 15 yrs. ago i was out with my wife when i couldn't start my outboard (it was fine earlier in the day) and, my t/m quit working. The ramp was only about 200 yards away, and of course the 10+ mph winds came exactly from the ramp direction. I would "toss" that 12# mushroom ahead of me, then pull the boat forward. Repeat. Like a couple hundred times. An hour and a half later i made it to the ramp. Funsies.

[Jig Man]

Not at all since spot lock

[airshot]

3 hours ago, detroit1 said:

Maybe 15 yrs. ago i was out with my wife when i couldn't start my outboard (it was fine earlier in the day) and, my t/m quit working. The ramp was only about 200 yards away, and of course the 10+ mph winds came exactly from the ramp direction. I would "toss" that 12# mushroom ahead of me, then pull the boat forward. Repeat. Like a couple hundred times. An hour and a half later i made it to the ramp. Funsies.

Need a backup for the backup !!   Main engine plus bow mount electric, plus my little kicker outboard.  I have had to use one or the other a time or two, can' t have enough backup plans !!

[Jeremy M]

On 10/19/2023 at 10:14 AM, A-Jay said:

When it comes to my Bass rig set up with the twin Talons & trolling motor,

an actual anchor becomes more like emergency equipment than something that gets routine use.

IMO, there's still definitely a need for it. 

Part of my gear purchased at the same time as my rig (2016)

included a small box anchor (made by slideanchor.com)

and 150 ft of 3/8" DOUBLE BRAID NYLON ANCHOR LINE.

I've deployed it once, during my first or second shake down cruise. 

Needed to ensure it would hold when needed.

It certainly does. 

Stowed it under my bench seat, ready to go. 

Fortunately I haven't needed it.

Sort of hope I never do. 

Because if I'm breaking that thing out, something bad already happened.

Stay Safe.

A-Jay

 

 

I recently got a bass boat and am accessorizing it. The box anchor seems like a great idea for storage. What pound box anchor do you think I need for an 18' fiberglass boat - only used for emergencies? Thanks!

[A-Jay]

19 minutes ago, Jeremy M said:

 

I recently got a bass boat and am accessorizing it. The box anchor seems like a great idea for storage. What pound box anchor do you think I need for an 18' fiberglass boat - only used for emergencies? Thanks!

I use the 'small'  model on my rig.

I think that would also work for yours as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AXND7?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0

 

A-Jay

[Sp33dSnake]

I use my chevrolegs to keep my feet anchored on the bank. 

[WaskaCrank12]

I do not have power poles or spot lock (hoping someday to have spot lock, need to save up some $$) so I use an #18 anchor if I want to stay in a specific area (also can be used in an emergency) .....it's a hassle, yet it works for now....I typically use it a couple of times each trip...I am strongly considering purchasing the box anchor @A-Jay has in his boat

[Tennessee Boy]

I carry an anchor but I can’t remember getting one wet in the last 30 years.

[Boomstick]

I haven’t bothered carrying an anchor since I got pedals. With pedals, I point myself at or away from any current and jog myself in place.

 

Before I had a pedal kayak, I ran an anchor wizard through an anchor trolley and used it all the time.

[IYAOYAS]

I use my anchor ever now and again in high winds on the boat. On the kayak I have a pedal drive so it's easier to stay in place pedaling than anchoring.

[GreenPig]

Yesterday while fishing a pond in my 1236 Jon. Paddle to a spot, drop anchor, fish, and repeat.

[crypt]

All the time.even have a stickit to anchor and still use my mushroom or fluke to keep steady in high winds.

[LonnieP]

No anchor in my boat. Never needed one

[DogBone_384]

On 10/19/2023 at 9:40 AM, gim said:

How often do you still use a manual anchor?

 

I haven't yet used the anchor on my Ranger.  It's still in it's original packaging from 2017.

 

I keep one rigged on my kayak almost every trip and use it when it's windy and pedaling doesn't help me stay in my spot.