Anchor questions. What size do I need

[Baskett-o-fish]

The boat came with a 16lb. river anchor. Atleast that is what cabels labels it as. Its mushroom shaped with cutouts. Is this sufficient for the Columbia? The boat is a 15footer. Fiberglass.

What are your recommendations?

[MacEFL]

I would say NOT big enough for the columbia. I have a thirty plus pound rocker anchor and it will slip occaisionally in heavy current if I don't put out enough line.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Nope. You need at least a 25lb rocker and some chain to be sure you don't slip. I tried to do it on the cheap, didn't work. Danforth no-worky in Columbia River (mushroom no-worky either) :grin:

[fishbait]

That is not an anchor, Cabellas may think it is an anchor but it is not. Go to Fishermans or Joes and talk to somebody knowledgeable. Anchors are just like landing nest, there is no such thing as one that is too big..........

[Baskett-o-fish]

Im heading over Friday after work to Joes to get the Fishing rods and reels. Guess im getting a new anchor as well. Thanks for the info.

[Silver Hilton]

With your baot, you won't need the biggest anchor in the world. I think GI Joes sells a rocking chair style that weighs about 26 lbs. That would work well for you, and would be big enough to use on a larger boat when you get one.

As important as the anchor is enough rope. You want about 200 feet to be able to anchor in most of the salmon spots. That will be more than you need in the spring, and maybe a bit too little in the fall, when you're anchoring in 45-50 feet of water.

[Dr Strangelove]

Get a folding claw anchor and a ball puller set up with 300ft of floating rope and six feet of anchor chain. Don't forget the zip ties and go over how it all works with the guys at the candy store. Any of us Ifishers can show you too. Also you might want a 35lb pyramid anchor for tributary use. I don't like danforths except in very sandy bottoms. Good luck. Keep a knife up near the bow always. Get a boat bumper or crab pot float for the end of the rope for dropping off hog lines. A line bag or bucket is needed too.

[slabhunter]

To retain your new investment it might be wise to pick up some 3/8 twisted nylon anchor line. The 3-stand twisted works well absorbing shock caused by wakes and wind waves. :smile:

[WaterDog]

I do things a bit different. I have 3 rope sets 350’, 175’, 125’. 6 feet of 3/8” chain and 4’ of 5/8” chain. A 25lb and 35lb anchor. Depending on where and what I’m doing I’ll make a combo out of this. If I’m fishin 20’ depth I don’t want 350’ feet of rope. I know the “experts” say 7 or 8 to 1 rode but 4 or 5 is really enough but that is just me.

[jokester]

Get a folding claw anchor and a ball puller set up with 300ft of floating rope and six feet of anchor chain.

Doc,

Have you had any problems with slippage with your folding anchor? Do you mostly anchor in the CR? Reason being...I have 2 friends that originally had those and they HATED them! They would slip every time they anchored, and finally got rid of them for 35 lb river anchors. Just curious...

-jokester

[fishbait]

Some good advice here, Don't ya just love IFish.

I have a 35 lb folding anchor and on my small 18 ft open sled it works great and I like the fold part.

If you get the black plastic anchor puller (they work fine) you might consider buying a spare. Have been in boats that had them crack from improper anchor storage and knew one guy that lost the nut on the bolt. The more expensive metal pullers and really nice, hold up well, but are spendy.

WaterDog sounds like he has it dialed.

[fishineer]

I carry 2 anchors: one is a 25lb river anchor and the other is a small size danforth type anchor with a slip ring and weighs probably 5 lbs or so.
When I anchor in deep water or with strong tidal currents, I use the river anchor. In the spring when I am fishing for springers in the shallows, I will use the 5lb anchor. The bottom is usually muddy and it works great and is really nice since I can almost haul it back in with one hand. For the times that it doesn't hold, I will just switch to the river anchor.

I also use the 5lb anchor down on Youngs Bay when sturgeon fishing. There, you are doing a lot of moving around to find the sturgeon in the shallows. I got tired of hauling up that heavy anchor every time I wanted to move.

Also, having an extra anchor on board is nice sometimes too. I remember a few years ago when I was anchoring I got to my spot and went and picked up the anchor, anchor buoy and chain and heaved everything over. When the anchor wasn't holding, I discovered I had forgot to clip the anchor to the anchor chain.

[jokester]

When the anchor wasn't holding, I discovered I had forgot to clip the anchor to the anchor chain.

D'OH!!!!!

-jokester

[LQQKASTAR]

i got a 16' aluminuim boat, 300'of anchor rope plus another 50' of floating rope, ball puller ect. but my anchor is only 20 lbs....it isnt enough, today i anchored in 37' of water and needed about 140' of rope to stick, thats alot of rope considering how busy the willie is, my bouy is 10' in front of me...i felt kinda bad waching poeple back troll towards me, im sure they had no idea how much rope i had out, below boniville i use all 300' its a saftey issue,probally get away with 240' or so but why bag it or chance it, by the way my anchor is the cradle type W/6' of chain and a break away (ty raps)...im changing anchors...sorry sam,just never throw a anchor out, tie it on and wait for it to grab = sunk boat
hope this helped

[B-run]

Go to Fishermans and ask their advice.
To explain it all here is great advice, but they will walk you down the isle and show you the pully system, bouy set up etc.
Don't mess around in the river with your anchor system unless you have the proper tools and know how to use them.
I have seen the mayhem that occurs when folks are not used to proper and safe anchoring.Lifting your anchor the wrong way and wrapping it around your prop/jet is not a good way to end the day.
A certain anchor pulling system also has a video on "how to".
Don't mean to scare you or be pessimestic, but there are far too many accidents out there due to this. Just check the board @ the Fishery.
PM me if you would like any further advice.

[Perfect Drift]

In a pinch, if you need an anchor because the wind is pushing you around in shallow water, carry a nylon bag and fill it with rocks or sand.