In need of a new boat anchor for my 18.5ft Crestliner. Will be mostly used on Mille Lacs. I’ve used the Digger in the past, with mixed results but worked well for the most part. Any other opinions? I dont anchor very often but the few times I do always is a hassle with the kids. I’ve seen the water spike reviews, however seemed kinda bulky? Thanks!
I have a 20 foot Triton and use just a navy style anchor. We mainly only anchor when on mille lacs. Biggest thing for me was adding about 30 inches of chain between anchor and rope. Have stayed in place on mille lacs in 3 footers no issues. I bought a shock absorber to go from clear to rope this year they claim you can anchor sideways with this. We will see I guess.
I love my water spike. May be a little bulky but also light. I have about 5 feet of chain between the anchor and rope.
DT
Oh,
I thought this was a thread on vexilars. 
I use a navy anchor too. I’m in an 18.5 Crestliner and can typically stay put even in a mod/heavy chop. Make sure you have a long rope.
I got a new Terrova with spot lock last year and sure don’t miss messing around with the anchor. Obviously still carry it just in case.
I use Richters and when it’s windy I drop 2 down and it usually holds my 24’ toon.
I use Richters and when it’s windy I drop 2 down and it usually holds my 24’ toon.
I don’t fish from the pontoon very often, but we do anchor amongst the crowd at the sandbar with a 22 foot pontoon quite often. We were constantly swinging and drifting on windy days until last year when I added another anchor. I now have 2 – 20 lb Navy anchors in the front (each one cast around 30 degrees to the side) with the bow pointed into the wind, and a single 30 lb anchor off the back. Still haven’t needed to add chain, and had no issues on the windiest days we were out last summer. It takes a lot to keep a pontoon in place on windy days. I multiply the water depth times 8 to 10 to calculate the amount of anchor rope to let out off the bow.
Bob the most important thing is amount of rode (rope) for the right scope, setting the anchor (with reverse thrust), and using a short length of chain.
Once that’s done a big Navy out the back will reduce the boat from swinging (if wanted). Sometimes letting the boat swing is a good thing though, especially if you’re trying to cover a little water while vertical jigging.
Your current anchor is probably more than adequate for your boat, you just might need to dial it in a little.
They look stupid but I really like my box anchor. Not only does it hold very well but it folds mostly flat and doesn’t take up much room.
If it’s really rocky they might get wedged in tight but I suppose that can happen to any anchor. I have hauled in some good size rocks though that get stuck in the box 
. In mud just chuck it over and it will hold, can’t do it wrong.
Back in the day my uncle would use a water spike on the main line and then he had a smaller mushroom anchor attached 10 feet up on a short line. That held his 21 foot fiberglass skeeter in heavy chop on Mille Lacs. As some have already mentioned, a long length of rope is important so that the rope is running as horizontal as possible and grabs better. 100 feet is not uncommon.
I think the rule of thumb according to the Coast Guard is 7’ of rope for every foot of depth. It’s a lot of rope but as B-man mentions that’s as important as the anchor. A good navy anchor should work.
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…
The OP is fishing Mille Lacs. Spot lock isn’t going to hold in 4 foot swells. You have to use a real anchor.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…The OP is fishing Mille Lacs. Spot lock isn’t going to hold in 4 foot swells. You have to use a real anchor.
I have to agree with spotlock…have a 36v and was slip bobbering in 3’, snapped my anchor shock cord, trolling motor held fine
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…The OP is fishing Mille Lacs. Spot lock isn’t going to hold in 4 foot swells. You have to use a real anchor.
I’ve used mine on LOTW in very heavy swells. With a 112# I’ve gone 10 hours getting beaten by waves. I’ll bet it’s 50/50 guys running anchors vs trolling motors. Kinda blows my mind when I see people fiddling with anchors anymore.
I’d argue a TM is a better option and also safer than trying to drag an anchor up in heavy waves.
Kinda blows my mind when I see people fiddling with anchors anymore.
Alright that’s fair. But I’d definitely still keep one on board for safety purposes.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…The OP is fishing Mille Lacs. Spot lock isn’t going to hold in 4 foot swells. You have to use a real anchor.
I know what you are saying but I disagree.
I am on Mille Lacs and used spot lock exclusively for slip bobber fishing last year and never had an issue.
In true 4 footers you probably wouldn’t want to anchor anyway. You are likely gonna drift with socks or troll or stay on shore.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Kinda blows my mind when I see people fiddling with anchors anymore.Alright that’s fair. But I’d definitely still keep one on board for safety purposes.
.
Agree…I keep one just in case. I’m more worried about losing power on the river…have an anchor in case I’m drifting downstream and can’t get the main motor going. Luckily I’ve never had to use it.
I ditched an anchor and only bring it when I plan on anchoring which is not often. Kids bobber fishing mostly and only if it’s blowing good and I just want to concentrate on multiple kids and rods.
Use a water spike with 6 ft of chain and a good amount of rope. Holds my 20ft boat in everything I have tried.
Otherwise it’s spot lock 98 percent of time.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Or, get a good trolling motor with spot lock and never deal with and anchor and rope again…The OP is fishing Mille Lacs. Spot lock isn’t going to hold in 4 foot swells. You have to use a real anchor.
You must not use spot lock often. Mine works great. Maybe not in 4 footers but I doubt your anchoring in 4 footers lol
The original Waterspike was designed on and for Mille Lacs and works very well. I still have one of Carlsons originals from the late 80’s.
Having been on ML now for 35 years I can say that my current boat rigged with a 112Lb Minnkota and a 15′ Talon I can honestly say that I haven’t deployed a rope anchor in 2 years with no intent of doing so anytime soon.
Water spike is great. I rarely have to use my anchor so I just pull the pin and store it flat in the bottom of one of my compartments. Takes up almost zero space.
Back in the day my uncle would use a water spike on the main line and then he had a smaller mushroom anchor attached 10 feet up on a short line. That held his 21 foot fiberglass skeeter in heavy chop on Mille Lacs.
Best anchor set up for Mille Lacs! Make sure to use the large water spike.
-J.
30′ vessels are require to carry an anchor.
Especially on the river a person is taking a chance by not having one on board in any size boat…but then people don’t wear life jackets either.
My boat is tall and 17,000 pounds (dry) that I could not get to stay put in a breeze. It has a 15 pound scoop style anchor much like a water spike with about 18″ of chain. Minimum scope recommended was 7′ in 10′ of water. I used 10′ and it wouldn’t hold.
After talking with many people that anchor over night, I replace my rode with 25′ of chain, then 250′ of rope. Same anchor and scope. It’s solid.
I have to agree with B-Man. More chain (not 25′ of course) and a shock cord and you’ll be set.
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