Need some input on an achor for the Willamette/Columbia

Hello everyone.

A new kayak fisherman here.   Just sold my 21 foot sled and opted for a smaller 12' kayak:)   Having a blast so far.  I am trying to get setup to do some fishing off anchor (sturgeon and maybe salmon).   I installed an anchor trolley on my outback and now I am trying to figure out what type of anchor I should go with.   I have read many posts and there seems to be a wide varaiety of weights and types of anchors being used. 

My first question is:  Can I get away with the same size/type of anchor for both the willamete and the columbia?

Second quesiton (based on the first) what type size and weight are you guys using.

Thank you all in advance for the input.   Great forum BTW.  I have learned alot.

tboat

I prefer a pyramid for sand or gravel and a mushroom for rocky/snaggy areas.

10lbs is a good place to start.

-Spot-

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=45359&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50304&subdeptNum=50319&classNum=50321#.Ue1oi20Uqno

I like the LEWMAR 2.2lb High-Tensile Steel Claw Anchors. I got mine at Westmatine.

willbd

I have not fished either location from the kayak but I have done a lot from the motor boat. I think Spot is "spot on" for advice. The 2-3 lb anchors wouldn't be enough in many places. No offense.

willbd/Spot,

Do you guys fish in the higher currents in the spring?   Just wondering how they perform in this.   

Spot,   I like the 2.2 lb idea (less weight is always nice), do you have any problems slipping?  Do you use any kind of chain with that style anchor?

Thank you both for the info.

tboat

I use a 8 lb mushroom with 3 feet of chain and it works well for me. There is a thread floating around with home made "jello mold" anchors in multiple weights that I've heard work really well. I have the 10 lb version but haven't used it yet.


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willbd/Spot,

Do you guys fish in the higher currents in the spring?   Just wondering how they perform in this.   

Spot,   I like the 2.2 lb idea (less weight is always nice), do you have any problems slipping?  Do you use any kind of chain with that style anchor?

Thank you both for the info.

tboat

Lots of people fish both the spring and mid-winter high flows.  If you drop in the wrong spot or don't give enough scope, you will drift.
In my experience, the light weight anchors just don't hold and you end up  snagged.

-Spot-

I prefer using my 8lb mushroom.

I've got (2) 2lb claws.  One with a chunk of chain the other without.

This weekend I used the claw without chain and kept slipping just from the wind.

Whenever I use the claw with chain, I tend to hang up a bunch and it takes a long time to free it from being snagged.

I haven't had any issues with eh 8lb mushroom (yet).  I've anchored in heavy current and had 3 kayaks on it at the same time.

willbd/Spot,

Do you guys fish in the higher currents in the spring?   Just wondering how they perform in this.   

Spot,   I like the 2.2 lb idea (less weight is always nice), do you have any problems slipping?  Do you use any kind of chain with that style anchor?

Thank you both for the info.

tboat

Lots of people fish both the spring and mid-winter high flows.  If you drop in the wrong spot or don't give enough scope, you will drift.
In my experience, the light weight anchors just don't hold and you end up  snagged.

-Spot-

+1. 8-10 lb mushroom works great for the George Rogers area. Claws don't grab that well in gravel and get stuck on the rocks there pretty often. Especially in the Spring when the flows are high. A large number of guys started with claws and after losing one or two moved on to the mushroom. You also want to make sure you have a good float, the smallest red anchor balls from Fisherman's work great.

willbd/Spot,

Do you guys fish in the higher currents in the spring?   Just wondering how they perform in this.   

Spot,   I like the 2.2 lb idea (less weight is always nice), do you have any problems slipping?  Do you use any kind of chain with that style anchor?

Thank you both for the info.

tboat

I have no issues with my anchor. You do need to rig it with a breakaway on the front and chain to the backside so when it gets hung up you can get it back.

willbd

I started with the claw type and, like Noah said, got it snagged up and lost it.  I'm using an 8 lb mushroom now with no issues...just a bit more of a PITA to pull up is all.

I have not fished either location from the kayak but I have done a lot from the motor boat. I think Spot is "spot on" for advice. The 2-3 lb anchors wouldn't be enough in many places. No offense.

None taken.
It holds better than one would think for being only 2.2 lbs. It's not the weight that holds you it digs in.

This is from the manufactures website.
"Designed based on anchors used to secure oil rigs in the North Sea. The Claw anchor is constructed of high-grade steel cast in a single piece.  The Claw anchor sets effortlessly and holds in a variety of sea beds and stows easily on the bow roller of most boats"

http://www.lewmar.com/products.asp?id=7447&lid=23581

Well I suppose it's worth checking out then. I have not been impressed at all with my anchor, which is a 3lber. One strong wind and it pulls off the bottom... even in a lake without a strong current like in the Columbia.

willbd/Spot,

Do you guys fish in the higher currents in the spring?   Just wondering how they perform in this.   

Spot,   I like the 2.2 lb idea (less weight is always nice), do you have any problems slipping?  Do you use any kind of chain with that style anchor?

Thank you both for the info.

tboat

I have no issues with my anchor. You do need to rig it with a breakaway on the front and chain to the backside so when it gets hung up you can get it back.

willbd

Got to echo this... I have just started anchoring with the kayak but I've had no problems in the Clackamette section of the Willamette with a 3lb grapple-style anchor and 2lb chain. I really don't see how you could "lose" that if you rig it correctly (i.e. break-away on the top). I'm anchoring an OK Malibu 2 XL tandem (13.5 ft, ~100lbs plus people). I do agree that the grapple slides more on the heavy current gravel than my big powerboat river anchor did (home-built rocker-style) but I've held so far. Maybe I'll get some more experience and change my tune.

I also come from a 21 ft sled! I feel like the anchoring skills from the Columbia and Willamette have paid off anchoring the kayak. It's the same concept, just a different situation and you're more vulnerable since you're the little guy.

Got to echo this... I have just started anchoring with the kayak but I've had no problems in the Clackamette section of the Willamette with a 3lb grapple-style anchor and 2lb chain. I really don't see how you could "lose" that if you rig it correctly (i.e. break-away on the top).

There are at least 6 of the claw anchors still attached to the bottom at George Rogers.  I know that at least half were rigged with a break-away....  In heavy flows, most claw anchors catch the current and end up a significant distance downriver of where they're dropped before finding bottom.

My prediction is that your grapnel anchor doesn't make it to 2014.   

-Spot-