atlantacapt

none - unless chunking...

If bottomw fishing, you will typically do better by staying on the motors. Easier to control drift and stay right on top of the fish. With an anchor, you may be 50 feet away and never get bit.

sealark

I can tell you for a fact, I have used a claw anchor on my boat to dive from ALWAYS anchored in sand or hung into the wreck and then removed from wreck and put into sand. Been out in 4 to 6 foot seas and returned to find anchor buried two feet below the sand and hadn't drug a foot. I have been using a claw anchor for 20 years never once had it foul on dropping it. Lets see you do that with a danforth type anchor. Whoever told you a claw wouldn't hold in sand is full of s%$t.

wrightackle

DNR people know as much about anchoring as the FWC people know about our fishery.

true-king

Danforth

Wharf Rat

You can't beat a fortress. They are more expensive, but I haven't had a single problem setting mine since I've gotten it and it's held in some pretty good winds, current and waves. I move it between boats and have used the smaller one (4 lbs I think) successfully on 18, 21 and 24 footers.



check out http://www.fortressanchors.com for some interesting tests on various anchor types.

eddy2419

Use plenty of heavy chain and a long scope. They look good but are too light unless you compensate with more chain. Also back down while deploying or the anchor will be down current of the chain/rode.

Wharf Rat

Yeah, they are VERY light. I've got 10' of 5/8" chain on mine which I got from the get go and I've never had a problem with it. I think that applies to any danforth style anchor though.

eddy2419

I used my chain from a previous anchor (smaller steel danforth) and had to upgrade to exactly what you have. Seems to work OK now. When in a pinch on rode I put a 4# buoy weight on the front of the chain and it really helps lay it down.

Gulf Cart 205

I use a Danforth and have had it foul a couple of times and need to reset after not digging inas Sealark suggests. I have also had it hang at the edge oncewhile using my anchor ball.I had to replace itwith the spare I keep onboardand bend the tongue back and straighten the flukes a littleafter I gotback on land. Actually, I was pretty lucky to get it in and not have to cut the line. If you ever want to see why you don't ever tie off the stern, try stretching your anchor line out under power with a well hung anchor and then let off. My bow whipped around and we were moving back towards the anchor point throwing a small wake.

Here is my question to those more studied on these other anchors: What is the preference if you only have one anchor and you fish the edge regularly: Fortress, Wreck, or Danforth?

For reference, how do they compare in size for the same boat? i.e. 8 pound Danforth = x pound Fortress = y pound wreck.

wrightackle

I knew this thread would turn into a danforth lovefest but it is surprising how many people have bought into the fortress anchors. Who wants to fool with all the chain it takes to get a danforth or especially a fortress to dig in? I believe you could use a claw anchor with four feet of chain and it would work like a champ. I like to anchor a good distance from the wreck and use the current to bring the fish to me. The claw is a great sand anchor. If you are anchoring on natural bottom you need to shackle your chain at the point above the flukes then bring your chain along the shank and zip tie it at the end of the anchor shank. That way if you get hung up you can break the zip ties and pull the anchor out. You do need to drill that hole out a tad to accept a decent shackle though. Now back to the danforth and fortress enthusiasts.