Stillwater Anchors

2196 Views 27 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Mark Yoshida, Mar 18, 2017

Salmo_g

Discussion Starter · Mar 14, 2017

I need to figure out how I will anchor the pram. I've used a 5# window weight on my canoe for decades. The canoe has low wind resistance once it aligns with the wind direction, and it doesn't take much to hold it in place. The smallest mushroom anchors I've seen in sporting goods and boating stores are 6 and 8 pounds. There are these folding cast iron anchors with 4 spikes at 1 1/2, 3, and 5 or 6 pounds. Is it useful to use a heavier anchor for the second one to hold a boat steady in the wind while chironomid fishing? Or am I beginning to over think this stuff?

Sg

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

troutpocket

· #2 · Mar 14, 2017

.

Shawn Seeger

· #3 · Mar 14, 2017

I use a 12lb downrigger ball on bow and 10lb on the stern. (On the Walker Bay)

For most of the lakes in eastern Washington the round ball works best for me. Even on a windy day I just let more anchor line out and it holds.

Jim F.

· #4 · Mar 14, 2017

I use 10# pyramid anchors that I poured on my 'toons, and a 15# & a 10# pyramid on the pram. I use a pair of compact, folding fluke anchors or 1 anchor & a stake-out pole on my Nucanoe - usually in shallow bays.

DennisE

· #5 · Mar 14, 2017

Here's an option. Non lead and relatively cheap, too!

Light Output device Font Ear Kettlebell

See less See more

Reactions: 3

PhilR

· #6 · Mar 14, 2017

Go to the Goodwill, and get some 10 lb weight plates. Easy and cheap.

Reactions: 3

Frenchie

· #7 · Mar 14, 2017

I use pyramid anchors on my 1236.

15 lb up front and a 12 in the back.

I'd go 12 and 10 for a pram

Jon

Buzzy

· #8 · Mar 15, 2017

I use a 12# anchor on the bow and a ten on the stern of my pram. There are times, depending on bottom composition, slope and wind, that they're insufficient. Most of the time they work well.

Reactions: 2

troutpocket

· #9 · Mar 15, 2017

I use 2, 10lb mushroom anchors fore and aft on my 10' pram. Most days, this works great for chironomid fishing. I also carry a 15lb mushroom for especially windy days. Then I'll double up the 10's on the bow and drop the 15lb off the stern. With enough scope in the anchor lines and a relatively soft bottom, this setup holds in sustained 20mph wind.

Reactions: 1

Mark Yoshida

· #10 · Mar 15, 2017

I also use 15# and 10# pyramids. If I get blown off my anchors, I figure I should not be out there fishing.

jeff bandy

· #11 · Mar 15, 2017

I like pyramid anchors for stillwater. They hold well enough on a hard bottom and unlike mushrooms don't get overly stuck in soft mud.

Those little folding ones do great in a soft bottom but will bring up a ton of weeds, useless on a smooth hard bottom.

Old406Kid

· #12 · Mar 15, 2017

Like many of the others, 10 and 10 but I carry another 7# pyramid on a threaded chain link that I can add to the upwind anchor if need be.

Kevin J. Burnham

· #13 · Mar 15, 2017

I like the Goodwill weight idea !! I also use 2 old Toat N Float style mesh bags. All you need to find are the rocks to load up the bag !!

Reactions: 2

Old406Kid

· #14 · Mar 15, 2017

Kevin J. Burnham said:
I like the Goodwill weight idea !! I also use 2 old Toat N Float style mesh bags. All you need to find are the rocks to load up the bag !!

Beware, those rocks could become a scarce commodity if @Dustin Bise keeps throwing them all in the lake.

Reactions: 2

Jeff Dodd

· #15 · Mar 15, 2017

I find these anchors at the sporting goods store in Wenatchee. I like them, but I need a couple more in different weights. They are a bit spendy.

I also use Mushroom anchor on the bow. The one below is my compact 5-pound stern anchor

Drinkware Stemware Sleeve Fluid Barware

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Irafly

· #16 · Mar 15, 2017

troutpocket said:
I use 2, 10lb mushroom anchors fore and aft on my 10' pram. Most days, this works great for chironomid fishing. I also carry a 15lb mushroom for especially windy days. Then I'll double up the 10's on the bow and drop the 15lb off the stern. With enough scope in the anchor lines and a relatively soft bottom, this setup holds in sustained 20mph wind.

I also like to carry a really heavy anchor. Remember when we were able to stay anchored in 35+ mph winds with 50 mph gusts. Do you also remember how I almost swamped the boat trying to drag that dang thing up off the bottom. I do miss that anchor.

I also use rocks when needed, but anchor line pitch is extremely important.

Reactions: 2

7919

· #17 · Mar 15, 2017

Old406Kid said:
Beware, those rocks could become a scarce commodity if @Dustin Bise keeps throwing them all in the lake.

guilty. i usually take them from the scree areas but sometimes when im done with them i just dump my bag of rock in the lake. let me know if that is bad form.

ill post my float tube anchor set up tomorrow, im going fishing soon so im getting rigged up.

sroffe

· #18 · Mar 15, 2017

I just use a couple 10-15# pyramid anchors.

Downrigger balls work too. They just sink into the mud and hold. Bag a rocks probably would do it too.

Jerry Metcalf

· #19 · Mar 15, 2017

Pyramid anchors are best. They punch into the bottom and have a big top that tilts, grabs and holds. They are compact and easy to store/clean. I have almost never had problems with slipping using 10# on a stillwater pram and pontoon boats. In the pram, I carry a 5# second pyramid for stabilization but almost never use it. I just re-cast and swivel in the seat. I don't like having all that gear down there that fish can get tangled in. And did I mention cheap?

Salmo_g

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 15, 2017

Thanks! Lots of heavier anchors than I expected. But I'm not staying out on the water with Ira when it's blowing 35 mph. I fish for fun and remind myself of that from time to time when conditions get crazy.

Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.