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Does this idea sound OK?

I'm in Texas, and sometimes we anchor in deeper water "like normal", and sometimes we anchor in knee deep water, jump out and wade fish.

Having to deal with the anchor off the bow is a hassle when wade fishing. Especially with an intact bow rail. In this situation, it's much easier to deploy and retrieve the anchor from the stern. And 50 feet of anchor line is plenty, as opposed to the 150' I have in my bow locker.

So here is my idea:

Use a big heavy caribiner clip to attach the anchor chain to the anchor line. Then I could remove the anchor and chain from the long bow line, move it to the rear and attach a much shorter line to a stern cleat.

I would store the anchor in a plastic bucket with a rubber mat in the bottom during the day, when running between fishing spots.

I know that anchoring from the stern is normally a big no-no, but this is in the bay, knee deep water, when I am fishing within 50-100 yards of the boat.

Any thoughts? Any concerns over the big heavy (stainless) caribiner crapping out on me and letting me come loose?

This is in lieu of a Power Pole, which it outside of the budget for now.

Thanks.

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Why wouldn't you just get another anchor with a 50' line and use it as a stern anchor............Because of the rise and fall of the tides here we use both and I can see no reason why a stern anchor wouldn't work for you. You could keep the line and anchor in a 5 gal plastic bucket with not problem at all.

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I don't think an anchor big enough to hold my 21' Outrage will fit in a 5 gallon bucket. I am trying to avoid storing 2 anchors.

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If you are going to do this, I recommend investing in a snap shackle instead of a carabiner. All the load carrying capability you need, built in swivel, and much more positive locking mechanism to prevent an unintended disconnect.
Ronstan makes a whole line, intended for sailboat rigging use. These things can carry tremendous loads and only come undone - quickly - when you want them to.
http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d270000/e267100.asp
Jim

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Is the bottom sand or mud? If so why don't you look at either "Marine Tech Sand Spike Anchor" or the "Screw it" beach anchor.
Both claim to hold boats 25 to 27 foot.

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gigem,
How about a mud spear, the manual version of the power pole? about $30.
Mike

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Tell me more about this mud spear! I found this website... http://www.cajunanchor.com/ But it's $100...

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If you do a search there are plenty of folks that made their own 'Mud Spear' take a 3/8 grounding rod, drill a hole in the top, add a shackle and rope and off you go. That was just one version, I am sure there are others.

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gigem,
I was wrong on the price. Academy has them for $45. It's a steel rod about 6 ft long pointed on one end with a shackle on the other end to attach a rope. My son gave me one for Christmas after I've been telling him for a couple of months that I needed an anchor. He prefers the spear. They do work well in the marsh and any shallow areas. I just don't want to have to fight to store it in the boat when I'm not using it. I'd rather have an anchor that holds well in a good current and/or wind, I use the trolling motor most of the time but when I find sone fish I can just as easily drop the anchor.
Mike

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gigem,
I goofed again. I wrote that it is a steel rod, when it is actually aluminum. Sorry
Mike

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No problem. I was at the Corpus Academy last night and forgot to look for them. Will look next time I am there. Thanks!