Brian Garman and I hunt a tidal area off of the Potomac. Because of the PITA blind laws in Northern Virginia, we are hunting open water, a minimum 400 yards from shore. The water depth where we hunt is typically 5 to 8ft, but the bottom is very soft for at least 4ft, and sometimes more than 6 or 7ft. For several years we struggled with every type of anchor we could think of, and nothing would hold well. Typically they would drag at the bow and eventually we would be blown sideways until we pulled up and tried to set again. We tried to double anchor off the bow with a single off the stern, but nothing seemed to work well.
We then tried anchor poles. Brian bought the first one, a 3/4" solid fiberglass 18ft long. We found that too flexible, but it gave promise and lead us to buy 1" solid poles for the next season. At the same time I found a 18ft hollow push pole from Cabela's on Craigslist for $50 and snapped it up. With a pair of poles we were in business. Since then we have added a couple more poles that I found in SC, these are 15ft long honeycomb broom handles. They are not as stiff, but have the big advantage of floating. They are usually sold/marketed for shrimping poles along the coast.
Typically we set our decoys, and then align the boat in the pocket. One guy mans the bow, the other the stern. The poles are shoved into the bottom and then the boat clipped off. When we need to chase decoys or cripples, the back is released, the motor started then the bow released. Returning to anchors is really nice, a boat hook is all that is needed to grab the pole and quickly snap on again.
The real danger is losing an expensive solid pole. Recently, I found an 8ft solid pole at Ace Hardware for $20. I fitted a PVC T and end caps from the plumbing section, and added a float which was not quite enough to float it, so I added a second. I plan to use this shorter pole with my BBSB.
On my Scaup, I have 5 cleats installed. One on the bow, that my painter hangs from. The other 4 are on the 4 corners of the cockpit, and these have a short tag line with welded rings tied. 2" in the bow, 3" in the stern. The 3" is large enough that 2 poles will slide in the ring to secure them when trailering and motoring. The poles clipped to the front rings then.
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We use a knot, similar to a prusik on the poles, so we can slide the clip line up and down to adjust for water depth, but it will bind when tensioned.
View attachment IMG_5576.JPG
I am sure I have sufficient flotation on the 8ft 1" diameter solid rod now, but need to do similar for the 18ft solid rod, as losing that is an expensive loss.
View attachment IMG_5594.JPG
If you want to make your own, shipping is the cost killer. Found Zoro the best price on the 1" poles and use Max Gain for the SS fittings. In the right conditions it is a really nice anchoring system that Brian and I have become proficient at.
We then tried anchor poles. Brian bought the first one, a 3/4" solid fiberglass 18ft long. We found that too flexible, but it gave promise and lead us to buy 1" solid poles for the next season. At the same time I found a 18ft hollow push pole from Cabela's on Craigslist for $50 and snapped it up. With a pair of poles we were in business. Since then we have added a couple more poles that I found in SC, these are 15ft long honeycomb broom handles. They are not as stiff, but have the big advantage of floating. They are usually sold/marketed for shrimping poles along the coast.
Typically we set our decoys, and then align the boat in the pocket. One guy mans the bow, the other the stern. The poles are shoved into the bottom and then the boat clipped off. When we need to chase decoys or cripples, the back is released, the motor started then the bow released. Returning to anchors is really nice, a boat hook is all that is needed to grab the pole and quickly snap on again.
The real danger is losing an expensive solid pole. Recently, I found an 8ft solid pole at Ace Hardware for $20. I fitted a PVC T and end caps from the plumbing section, and added a float which was not quite enough to float it, so I added a second. I plan to use this shorter pole with my BBSB.
On my Scaup, I have 5 cleats installed. One on the bow, that my painter hangs from. The other 4 are on the 4 corners of the cockpit, and these have a short tag line with welded rings tied. 2" in the bow, 3" in the stern. The 3" is large enough that 2 poles will slide in the ring to secure them when trailering and motoring. The poles clipped to the front rings then.
View attachment IMG_5575.JPG
View attachment IMG_5577.JPG
View attachment IMG_5593.JPG
We use a knot, similar to a prusik on the poles, so we can slide the clip line up and down to adjust for water depth, but it will bind when tensioned.
View attachment IMG_5576.JPG
I am sure I have sufficient flotation on the 8ft 1" diameter solid rod now, but need to do similar for the 18ft solid rod, as losing that is an expensive loss.
View attachment IMG_5594.JPG
If you want to make your own, shipping is the cost killer. Found Zoro the best price on the 1" poles and use Max Gain for the SS fittings. In the right conditions it is a really nice anchoring system that Brian and I have become proficient at.
