Cheap anchor for tubes and pontoons

Burlap sacks make excellent anchors too! If you lose it, it's biodegradable!

When I hike uphill, at altitude into a lake I take a plastic bag, fill it with rocks, and tie it off with thicker poly twine.

I normally carry a 2# or 5# rock cod weight with a split ring in the tiny brass loop, so I can attach my looped line.
This anchor never snags and is easy to clean. It also is easy to store on my tube.

The traditional anchors with spikes, fins, or sharp points tend To get stuck on the bottom. I've had to cut anchor line in large swells.
If you use a traditional anchor, I'd recommend a 2 line setup so you can retrieve the anchor when it's stuck.

If you decide to use a chain, I'd recommend only one length of chain. The fatter you make the chain bundle, the higher the chance of getting the chain snagged

I wish I would've read this before I spent that $25 buck on that fancy anchor,lol. That doesn't even hold me in wind! Thanks for the good tips guys.

Great ideas thanks for the tip.

I made a bunch of jug line weights using red solo cup and clothes hangers.I have two tied on and it holds really good.

Somewhere on this forum back in the I don't know when I talked about my set up which is in fact a chain set up.  Large link but in smaller sections.  I will take a small stuff sack with the sections in it and large carabiners and line. The bag is just to carry it all. The idea being to link sections as needed.  On the other end...tube end...I have a large plastic spring clamp.  Easy to clip on to the tube/yak and if I am at a mooring or around limbs or what ever, I clip on to that and the chain never comes into play. Two options one at each end and the weight is not really an issue for me.

I thought about using a one gallon plastic jug filled with sand or pea gravel for an anchor and just run a rope through the handle.
How heavy does an anchor need to be for a float tube anyway?
I used a guide's pyramid type anchor in Putah Creek which worked well, don't remember how many lbs. it was though.

Well it depends on the current/wind conditions.
I fish in harbors that can put a lot of force on a tube and if you want to be stationary you need some resistance. In some cases I would not try to anchor below water. I would clip to an above water point like a mooring, dock cleat etc. But generally speaking yes it doesnt take much to stop or slow you down.

my toon came with a anchore like that its a heavy wax/mess type bag and a rope, just fill it with rocks. and good to go.

Whats a wax/mess ??

waxon67 wrote:Whats a wax/mess ??

I think that's what you get after your candle burns at both ends.

bigfish wrote:

waxon67 wrote:Whats a wax/mess ??

I think that's what you get after your candle burns at both ends.

Lol I meant to say mesh and it has like a wax coating

waxon67 wrote:On the other end...tube end...I have a large plastic spring clamp.  Easy to clip on to the tube/yak and if I am at a mooring or around limbs or what ever, I clip on to that and the chain never comes into play. Two options one at each end and the weight is not really an issue for me.

Got a photo of this? My biggest concern with anchors is where exactly on the tube to hook it!

mac_2_nite wrote:

waxon67 wrote:On the other end...tube end...I have a large plastic spring clamp.  Easy to clip on to the tube/yak and if I am at a mooring or around limbs or what ever, I clip on to that and the chain never comes into play. Two options one at each end and the weight is not really an issue for me.

Got a photo of this? My biggest concern with anchors is where exactly on the tube to hook it!

I'll post up a pic as soon as I can. 
As for attaching to the tube, just depends on which end of the line I'm using. 
Often i just clip to a D ring or if other way round lay the chain in a pocket.
So far no issues either way.

That's what I figured, I mean one would thinking clipping to a d-ring would be fine, except...

This one time I used an anchor on a yak and clipped it to a loop on the side by my seat. It caught on a kelp line and every pulse of swell almost pulled the damn yak over. I seriously thought i was going in.

So basically trying to avoid this in the tube, obviously only a saltwater problem if at all

New to tubing and this is my first post but I've got a 3/4 ton swl shackle attached to 50' of paracord. Haven't tried it yet but should work as a mud weight/drag weight, I can also add washers for more weight or attach it to any bouys or overhanging trees should I need to

Mscustomflies welcome to the forum hope you enjoy the board. Sounds like you have a got a anchor system let us know how it works.

haven't used it yet but I got a 2.5lb. barbell weight for 3 bucks. round, so I hope to not have any problem. Heavy duty 3 inch velcro strap to put aroud "v" at the rear of my cumberland. 50 ft. 1/4 in. anchor rope.