I've been renting a small (I believe around 16 feet) boat with an outboard motor (20 HP I believe) to fish in a big lake.  The problem is that it doesn't come with an anchor.  I've been a good customer and I'm going to ask the company if I can bring my own and hook it up to the boat.

 

These are the issues:

 

1 - It would have to be not too hard for me to get it into a mid-size or full-size car.

2 - Could I hook it up with the boat in the water?  This is important as I think the guys would charge me extra to pull the boat off the dock.

 

I've seen Bass boats with these "push down" things.  What are they called?  Are they appropriate for my needs?  I suspect they won't be good for the deep parts of the lake, which is OK, because parts where I want to hang out are shallow.

 

The problem is that I'm on the boat by myself and it is a major pain to have to keep working the motor to prevent bottoming out when I am drifting too close to shore.

 

I mostly troll in the lake, but would like to hang out in some spots near shore and throw lures.  What is best recommended for my situation?

 

Thanks

I think the most cost effective way to go is just grab an anchor at Bass Pro or West Marine or someplace like that, some anchor line, and a quick fitting to attach it to the boat. I somtimes rent 14 foot Jon boats at a conservation area and this is what I did.  Ideally, the rental boats will have a cleat to tie your rope off on, but the boats I rented did not. Solved that problem by having an all purpose clamp with me so I could clamp the line off where I wanted, especially if I was anchoring shallow. 

How deep ya talking?

 

I use a throw down pole (Cajun Anchor) ?

Mule tape and a cinder block work well for small boats. We use actual anchors, but only because we had a guy give us 5 of them. 

You can get anchors at Walmart for cheap. They have those mushroom ones or the ones that open up and grab into the ground (not sure what to call them), and rope for them right in the same section at my Walmart. I think that would be a good option for you because if you decided you wanted to anchor deeper at some point, you could. They aren't very big at all. I have a big heavy duty one I keep in my bass boat in case of emergency and it fits right in one of my lockers  with the rope coiled around it no problem.

Around my area there are a lot of old homes and with old homes come old windows. When people replace their old windows they usually throw out old window weights. I've collected a bunch and used them as anchors. Cheap and easy. If you want something different make your own anchor. Just get a plastic milk jug, some sakrete and a big eye bolt. 

Baby box anchor often on sales around this time at Overtons.

the great think is that it only require 2/1 rope length

Cheap mushroom anchor from Walmart or pour an old coffee can (plastic ones quieter) full of concrete and set an eye bolt in it to tie the rope to. Or a 5 to 10 lb. weight tied to a rope.

All you need is a simple mushroom anchor. Here is a pic from Walmart

 

These are all you need to begin with. I would add I large spring link (carabiner ) like this one from Home Depot.  I would attach it to the back of the boat where it could be strapped down or run the rope around a cleat and then thru the link.  You probably only need 50 feet of rope for your use. This way you can easily attach it to the boat before you begin. I would then temporarily tie it off to a cleat or a seat etc to set yourself when you need to.

for years i used the old window weights. each one weighs around 7-9 lbs. three of them, duct taped together, worked for me, and stowed easily in the Sea Nymph. but now i use a mushroom, with my rope (attached to and) wrapped around a two foot stick of 1 1/2” pvc pipe, all stowed in a five gallon bucket. be sure to glue caps on your pipe so it will float, just in case. the bucket allows for easy transport and keeps mud out of your boat. git r done.

On 12/4/2017 at 10:53 PM, Catt said:

How deep ya talking?

 

I use a throw down pole (Cajun Anchor) ?

 

Same here. I made mine for $5. Got the rod from one of my former workers at the power company (ground rod) and the clevis cost $5. Works great.