Anchors on Shrimp & Crab pots?

[PugtSounDav]

Given the high cost in dollars of lead weights these days and the high cost in sweat of hand-pulling that lead back up.
I was thinking of using a moderate amount of lead (8-11 lbs) and then attaching a small anchor via a short rode to each pot.
SeaDog makes a little folding 4-fluke model that only weights 1.5 lbs and only cost $6
They advertise it for use with dinghies and PWC's that pull diagonally up/over from the surface,
so it otta hold a pot thats shifting horizontally along the bottom? Wadda ya Dogs think?

Thanx, Dave.

[ron m]

Not for me. I don't like the idea of it getting caught on something down there, I'd end up losing the pot or the anchor or both. Also, it would make getting the pot in the boat more difficult, there would still be the anchor hanging off the pot or the anchor to get in before the pot.

That's what I think, but I also have a pot puller, so for me it's also easier to stick with the lead weight in the pot.
ron m

[Dye-Hard]

We prawn up in the Esperanza Inlet in about 300' of water with 14' tides and pretty good currents. I got a few cheap stainles I bolts and sack creeted them in a gallon jug that I cut the top off. You tie the concrete to the end of your line using the I bolt, and use a heavyduty clasp to hook the trap to your line about 10' above the anchore weight.

Make sure you use nuts with big fender washers or weld crossmembers to the I bolts or youll end up pulling the I bolt out of the concrete. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it only took me half hour to poor 4 weights and a 40 pound anchor. and its cheap. six or eight bucks.

Now your crab pots. I had the same problem up there. Heres what I did. I took bicycle innertubes and filled them with lead buckshot. You can get that stuff at BI Mart. Then twist the ends up tite and zip em up, you can make them as long or short as you need then zip tie them to the edge or on a crossmember. The rubber will insulate the lead from (GC). You get to make them as heavy as you want. Dont forget to get some zinc that twist on to your pots, that will eliminate your (GC) problem. I have stats to prove that zinced pots out fish non zinced.

Good luck, Hope it helps and not confused.

[PugtSounDav]

Thanx Guys.
If I had a motorized pot-puller I'd probably take the one-time hit to the wallet and just add more lead.
But, as a hand puller, I'm also trying to save my aching back. That's why I'm thinking about small LIGHTWEIGHT anchors.
Thanx again, Dave.