On Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:05:02 -0600, "SteveB"
wrote:


"mmc" wrote in message
ng.com...

"SteveB" wrote in message
...
Sorry I didn't put in all the info. This is a 2 square mile lake,
deepest part, 190 feet, but most of it 100' or less, and that's where the
fish hang out. I have a 10# anchor that came with the boat, and it is of
the smooth braided line, but is in two segments that total about 50'
total. The bottom is mostly sandy or muddy, and not a lot of areas where
there are rocks to catch on. Kind of like the braided, as it is easy on
the hands. Manila or sisal would be harder on the hands, and actually
1/2' sounds good, although it is far stronger than needed. Just wanted
comments and input as per longevity, cost, rate of wear, those things.
Boat is 16' Aluminum Lund. No current. No wind. (If if's windy, I
don't go, or go home.)

Steve

Steve,
If theres no wind or current and you just want to maintain position over a
favorite spot, how about just using a weight? You wouldn't need a lot of
line for scope and I'd think a 25 lb hunk of lead would work.
For anchoring in rocks a welded rebar grapple works good. When, not if it
gets caught, you can pull it out because the rebar will bend out. After
you retrieve, you bend it back into shape.

Lets see.......... I'm a welder, and I have all sorts of junk and rebar
laying around. I wonder who I could get to make me one of those.

Thanks for the great idea.

Last time out, that little ten pounder was keeping us right at the point
where we stopped. With current or wind, the line would need to be longer,
but the 40something feet of line we had that day worked.

I've seen those big coffee cans filled with concrete and a rebar U poured
into it that worked fine.

Here's a home made "grapple" type - no welding necessary.
Looks like a real good idea.
http://gulffishing.com/ClearwaterTragedy.html

I had a small factory made "grapple" anchor years ago, only anchor I
ever bought. Lead cyclinder with bendable rods imbedded in the lead.
Suitable for a small boat or canoe. Maybe 18" long, 4-5 pounds.
Backup, as I rented a lot of fishing boats. Had it in my tackle box
for years but never even bent out the rods.
Most of the rentals and our boat had coffee can concrete with a
u-bolt. Occasionally a mushroom anchor. Lakes, no current.
The ocean guys pay big money for anchors. Fun to read them arguing
about them. Lots of "science" involved.
Getting a set, backing down to set, diving to ensure a set, anchor
alarms connected to GPS, etc.
Pulling loose during a wind in the middle of the night in a crowded
anchorage and drifting into each other, cussing, shouting.
Waking up thinking you're drifting when you're not.
Probably like a dream I've had about driving a car and the brakes
don't work.
Whole different ball game than dropping a coffee can, setting the
fishing rod between your toe and falling asleep.

--Vic