Best Anchor for the Columbia River.

[Scott19d]

Hi all,

I have a 18' aluminum boat with a 115hp motor, the dry weight is around 1600 lbs.  My current anchor won't hold my boat on the Columbia River.  What style or weight of an anchor would be best?  If you'd be willing to share your setup I'd appreciate it.  I went to Sportsman's Wearhouse today and was shocked at the prices of new anchors so I really don't want to screw up and buy the wrong one again.

Thank you.

[huntandjeep]

Look for  a Columbia River style . Fish Fighter makes a great one, although $$$$ . Brian's Boats in Yakima makes another one , more reasonable.

[Mfowl]

I use a 25lb anchor and just a 4' chain for my 16' boat. Look for a "rocking horse" style anchor with breakaway capability (you tie the chain to the eye of the anchor w/string so it can break loose if you snag it on the bottom.) Look on ifish.net or bloody decks Wa classifieds, I see full setups pop up there sometimes. There are also several fishing groups on Facebook that you might find a used setup.

[Woodchuck]

I prefer a Fiat.

[huntandjeep]

Look on ifish.net

Whole setup in the classifieds for $100 in Salem

[MeepDog]

I tried to use a mushroom style on the Columbia for years and had a really hard time sticking to the bottom. Bought a bigger boat and it had a Columbia river anchor that weighed as much as the mushroom I was using with a lighter boat and it sticks every time even in river rock. It's like magic I swear. The other posters are right, make sure you get one that you can rig for breakaway retrieval because they're sticky anchors.

[Limhangerslayer]

Minnkota Ulterra or Terrova.  Only way to go, it’s a game changer for anchoring for any species.  Spend the money if you got it to spend.

[Antlershed]

Rocking style anchor. Don’t need to spend the money on some of the ones mentioned. That fancy coating is going to get ripped off anyway.

I use a 32lb with 6’ of chain for my 22.5’ Willie Raptor and have no problems holding anywhere.

[HntnFsh]

Ive used a 35 pound rocker anchor in my 20' Willie Predator for years.
Its the right anchor for certain spots. Its held anywhere Ive fished Bonneville to Deep River, but not always the first or second try. For most of my fishing I am going to buy a new anchor. If your in a sandy, muddy, or cobble bottom a 13 pound Bruce type anchor or a 13 pound Mantus anchor is way better. I think the Mantus is the way I am going to go. Its a lot of money, but for where I fish 99% of the time its the best anchor for the job. And it weighs almost a third as much as my rocker. Most people fishing Bruce or Mantus anchors only use enough chain to use it as a breakaway. Some dont even use a chain and stick hard and fast.

The answer your looking for is. It depends on where your fishing. Bobs just had 20 pound galvanized rockers on sale for $40. There are ton of them on facebook. Bruce, Lewmar anchors are a little spendier, but not bad. Mantus are big bucks. But I think Money well spent if used in the right situations. My back is telling me to buy a Mantus!

Do a search over on Ifish. Tons of threads and info.

There are a lot of youtube videos on on Mantus anchors. One comparing it to several others. Bruce was the closest competitor. Theres one showing a Mantus and I think it was a bruce being pulled in the sand from a drawbar behind a pickup. I dont give it much credence because the scope isnt anywhere close to what would normally be used.

[GWP]

I have a Leelock river anchor system for sale for $150. I am by Westport Wa though. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1015078626100375

[HntnFsh]

Here's a good video link.
https://www.boatsafe.com/anchor-types/

[Scott19d]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer my question.  Y'all definitely pointed me in the right direction.   

[pianoman9701]

Rachel Maddow would be a good anchor in the Columbia. See how I did that?

[huntnphool]

 This puller block and anchor are the best I’ve used and still own.

https://ezmarine.com/product/ez-puller-block/

[Rugsnfeathers]

Rachel Maddow would be a good anchor in the Columbia. See how I did that?

That's a good one!    However, she might have a problem with ratings. 

[pianoman9701]

Rachel Maddow would be a good anchor in the Columbia. See how I did that?

That's a good one!    However, she might have a problem with ratings.

She'd have a bigger problem with the current.

[wadu1]

Rachel Maddow would be a good anchor in the Columbia. See how I did that?

That's a good one!    However, she might have a problem with ratings.

She'd have a bigger problem with the current.

Maybe as a drag anchor

[Badhabit]

Jacob Munden is a guide out of Pasco. He also is a teacher at the HS and they make some fantastic river anchors. He's on Facebook.