Anchors Aweigh–what do you carry?

A week or so ago, I was out on Winnebago just getting the boat wet for the 2010 season and doing a little walleye fishing. It was windy with about 3 plus foot waves.
I had out two 20+ lbs. anchors and I was pulling off bottom (yes I had enough rope out).

A guy comes out of nowhere and says “I saw you were having problems staying anchored. Try this!!” and he gave me a product called Drop-N-Stay. He gave me a quick 1 minute instruction and backed away. With this product, I was able to hold in 3 foot waves with one anchor and less rope out.

Basically, It is a shock cord that takes up the tension of what your rope normally would.

After about 20 minutes, the guy comes back and asks if I liked it (not if it worked!! I’m guessing he knew it would work!!).
I bought it from him right there and then. Great product I will never be without again. Less anchor rope out, I dont need two anchors in the boat anymore and more importantly, I will hold in heavy wave action when the fish are turning on instead of dragging my anchors through the hot holes I set up on and wrecking my possible catch rate!!

Check this thing out!! There is a video of it at this website. Tell him “Hot Tamale” sent ya.

http://www.drop-n-stay.com/

I’ve heard good things about this setup.

I’ve heard of similar systems but have never tried one. I thought there was also a product that was attached at the anchor end and was a kind of shock absorber.

Thanks for sharing.
Dave

YES, They work. I made 1 a couple years ago from 2- triple Extra Strong Bungie cords from Home Depot. The fastening is not as easy as the drop -n- stay but it works.
With the New I-PILOT I just set-up , I may not even bring an Anchor along !

I am awaiting a “Sauger Pick!”

The Drop-N-Stay works great! I’ve been using one for the last 2-3 years now. The “Duece” is my prefered weapon of choice. I can anchor straight off the bow without breaking my ribs trying to get the anchor rope through the eyelet on the front of the boat. I’ve held in 2-3 footers on a mostly sand bottom with just a 28lb navy anchor. I’m still young yet, so a 28lb navy anchor isn’t to much for me yet. FYI, I run a Skeeter WX1880 in case you were wondering.

Dave, I vaguely remember a product like that years back. My buddy said his father in law had one. the problem with that one was all the stretch was at the end of your rope separating your rope from the anchor. so when you go to pull your anchor up, you are also pulling the “stretch” of the bungee.
with this product, you keep the tag end of your anchor rope in the boat and pull on the stiff anchor rope when you are ready to go. you detach the “Drop n stay” and away you go. just pull up your “SINGLE” anchor and move to a new position or better yet, go and eat all the fish you caught because you were able to stay still in high wind and waves.

If you’re hesitating, dont!! it’s worth the $30 bucks. If that’s too much, you can always sell your extra anchors!!!

We have handled them for approx 3 yrs now. I was sold on a tourney day when Greg vandemark was the only boat of many that was able to hold a wind blown point.

With around 3 foot waves and (2) 20lb anchors…. you did not have enough rope out, if you were moving… although I will say, the bungee thing looks pretty simple & sweet

big G

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I am awaiting a “Sauger Pick!”

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You mean sauger spike!!

Can this be used on an anchor mate system? And does it help in river current?

Hello, I am the inventor of the Drop-n-Stay. I don’t want to violate any rules here but hopefully it is ok to answer this question.

You can use a Drop-n-Stay with an Anchormate by attaching the cleat to the rope then letting out an additional 10′ or so. This will give you enough slack to attach the loop to the boat cleat and give it enough slack to work. It is a bit more of a pain to use this way but will work.

As for working on a river, they will not help with a constant current but will make a huge difference when it comes to boat wakes or fluctuating current (just below dams).

Can a moderator please contact me so I can discuss some issues. I am new here and just want to make sure it is ok to post answers to questions on my own product. Thanks and AWESOME site!!

Rich, I will send our questions to the higher-ups. I am sure that you can answer questions about your invention but we will make James and the Steering Committee decide.
It might take a few days to get your answer as some of the guys that make those decisions are traveling

Ron

Rich,
Welcome to IDO,
sounds like a solid anchoring system.

Jack

I hope you are allowed to answer questions. This is why I love this website so much. To get answers. And who better to get the answers from than the inventor. And thanks for being honest about it being a little more difficult with the anchor mates, and not the greatest in river current. I for one appreciate it.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I see you have some people here from Wisconsin but it looks like most are Minnesota. This is quite the site and I am looking forward to participating and meeting some new friends. What is the Fish Bucks all about?

I need one of these. It will be interesting to see how tight I can anchor on the Mississippi with heavy current pumping.

Rich,

Welcome aboard! Looks like you’ve got a preatty cool product there. I could be wrong, and maybe an IDO vet can correct me if I am, but I think the fish bucks are a way for IDO members to earn points that can be used towards posting items on the classified page. James had always wanted to have “free” classifieds, however some people were abusing the system. So they came up with the “Fish Bucks” so you had to earn the right to post items for free. Hope that helps. Once again, welcome to IDO.

Erik Osberg

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What is the Fish Bucks all about?

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Eric answered it perfectly, a simple way to earn free classified adds.

I sent you a PM, private message, look for a flashing envelope in the upper right of your screen.

Ron

Welcome to Ido Rich!

Thanks guys! I am getting used to the site now. Going to take a long time to find all the valuable info since there is so much of it. I just started looking at the Fishing show episodes and I must say, TOP KNOTCH!! You guys really do a service to the industry here. Keep up the good work.

I have only experienced one time where the Double Duece Drop N Stay did not hold me. I had 150′ of Rope in 18′ FOW with a 28 lb River Anchor and the Double Duece and I would still not hold.

Otherwise a very good product. I have been using one since 2007!