Opinion poll on anchoring systems

Hey gang,

Just wanted to get an idea on every ones preferred way to anchor for crappie in somewhat windy conditions with water over 12' deep. The new anchor poles seem great for shallow fishing but are extremely pricey for what they are. I know hummingbird is coming out with one that will reach down 12" in 2014 but still to pricey in my opinion. Do you prefer electric winches or find manual to be better? What anchors hold the best in windy conditions? I find with one 25 lbs mushroom style anchor I have the boat still tends to drift off my spot with moderate wind. I am just trying to decide if I should by winches for both the front and back but do not want to wast money or spend time installing if it does not make that big a difference. How do you hold your boat on a spot without stirring up mud on the bottom? Does it always require 2 anchors and if so what type do you use? I love the new I-pilot that you can get to help navigate with your hummingbird fish finder but from what I understand it keeps you within about 10' of your spot and runs 2 grand.....wow! Just wanted to get some of your opinions on staying on fish in tight quarters.

"Any day fishing is better then a day at work":biggrin

I seldom anchor except Catfishing. I have homemade lead anchor on a rope attached to the bow which holds good in the wind.

Throw out a bouy and use troling motor. That way you can fish all around the spot without throwing out anchor and you don't stir up a bunch of mud or disturb brush with anchor.

I never anchor , don't like to disturb the bottom and stir up mud plus it destroys brush piles which I'm trying to fish, I would only anchor if I were going to back away and cast to nearby brush or in shallow or clear water conditions

Those of you that do not anchor. How do you keep your boat under control in the wind? Do you have the i pilot or just continue to use foot control as it becomes more difficult when you get a fish on to keep the boat under control and land the fish.

Here is the one I have in 20 lb mounted on elec winch on stern of boat. Works ok unless wind gets up pretty good. Don't anchor much but if I do use Ipilot motor to move back and forth to stay in position.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shop...product/45253/

Stay on the trolling motor, and keep boat into the wind. I have a small 15 foot war eagle and can keep it pretty straight most times. Mine is an electric steer which is a lot harder to steer in windy conditions. Just don't worry about what's going on with the rest of the boat just keep on the trolling motor and you will be fine.

I don't get to fish as much as a lot of these guys on here, so my anchor don't get used very much at all. But I have gone through 3 electric anchor winches in the last 4 years. all of them I've found that were in my price range were cheap built forein crap. Just ordered 2 hand crank winches last week. should be here tommorow.

I never anchor jigging, last time I did was because trolling motor quit ! Use foot control on lowest speed needed. Forget the dip net and pull fish in unless it is unusually large. I steer into the wind to help hold position. With variable speed trolling motor can hold position with ease except in high winds over 15 mph. Remember your boat catches less wind with bow pointed into it. Plan your moves ahead of time , approach target (tops ) from down wind and allow more space for other boats in higher winds.
I really hate to see folks anchoring on stakebeds or tops. Like it was said they tear them up and even more so with too light of anchors.
In my opinion the I-pilots are OK for deep water but suck in shallow target specific fishing. They tend to run too fast trying to hold and wash out your fish on shallow brushpiles. Nothing beats a bouy marker and good boat control with a variable speed trolling motor. I like foot control because it leaves my hands free to fish.

I just used the ipilot last year, probally do the same when I get my boat this year. spot lok works ok for me.