Lost my anchor today (hopefully not for good). Help!

[matthewmiller01]

Hello all :smt100,

I have searched and read multiple threads about losing and retrieving lost items. Please help me out.

What has worked for others to find their anchor or other (metallic) items?

Here is the situation... I dropped the anchor to set it for an evening swim. I went back to the helm to reverse and set it and get ready for swimming. After missing the feeling of the anchor grabbing, I checked the line (I am short and can't see it from the helm without stepping up on the first step to the bow) to see if it is getting taught and... nothing. The anchor with chain is on the bottom and the rope is dangling. :smt013

The good news: it is in 20 feet or less, so I can get it if I find it. Other good news: I marked the location (within 15 or so feet) on my plotter to get back there and get it.

The bad news: it is VERY murky lake water... about 1 foot of visibility at depth. So the only real hard part is finding it.

I SCUBA dive, so I will likely rent or borrow a tank and dive to find it. I have also seen other methods to find anchors - magnets and such.

If anybody has any other ideas, please let me know.

One other question. How do fishfinders work? Do they detect objects or air pockets (gas bladders) to find fish? Would a fishfinder be able to show me a "spot" where my anchor is if I'm over it?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Ka1oxd]

I have recovered one of my anchors with a grappling hook that I have on the boat. But the anchor had some rope on it so it made it easier.

 

[matthewmiller01]

I have heard of underwater metal detectors too, but one of these is probably too cost prohibitive right now to get.

Does anyone around Knoxville have one I can borrow?

 

[Banagy]

Lost mine in 35 feet of water, the water was dirty that day on the Saginaw Bay. After six years the bolt came out. I had the rope amd chain. I do not dive so the easy way was to purchase new, I put wire thru bolt.

 

[matthewmiller01]

Unfortunately (or fortunately possibly), this anchor was lost due to the splice coming apart between the rope and the chain. It SHOULD make it easier to find with an anchor and a 50' pile of chain on the bottom. We'll see. I always checked the lockwire on the swivel whenever I messed with the anchor, but only glanced at the splice (as I would only be guessing as to whether or not it was holding up). I'll be sure to check it often from here on out.

 

[blaster]

You have to be patient and methodical but a grapple will do the trick especially with the chain on it. My friend lost an electric motor in 35 feet of water and I thought he was crazy trolling back and fourth but after about 15 minutes he came up with it. It dried out and still works fine. I have seen fishing rods and other gear also recovered with a grapple. As long as there is something to grab. He made his grapple with some rebar.

I have recovered one of my anchors with a grappling hook that I have on the boat. But the anchor had some rope on it so it made it easier.

 

[jason78]

I just lost mine a couple weeks as well in 25'. I was going to hire a diver but that was 125 and a new Sea Ray anchor (direct from manufacturer) was 145 so I cut my losses and ordered one. Only the OEM anchor will fit properly on many of the late model cruisers. Let me know if you want the info.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9650 using Tapatalk

 

[moparlvr4406]

a fishfinder measures the density of a target
a metal anchor should show up as a very hard or dark signature .....but so will rocks
if is is on a soft muddy bottom it should stick out like a sore thumb.....but so will rocks.
best of luck :thumbsup:

 

[Skuza]

Lost ours too. The splice failed. Something I never thought of checking up until that point. Great feeling standing there watching the chain fly out through the chute. This was along side an island that has a deep channel next to it. Not even a thought to try and retrieve it in my case. Bought new which I recall not hurting too bad.

 

[Loneranger]

What part of the lake did you lose it in? Maybe I will go find it for me, I mean for you. Ha. Ha.

I have never had any luck trying to find things like fishing rods, shepard's hooks, drill battery, etc that have fallen off my dock, whether using grappling hooks or a magnet.

I do know a diver that works with the Blount County Rescue Squad. He did some work for me installing a geothermal heat exchanger in the lake for me. He also found my shepard's hook. Let me know and I will PM you his name and number. But if you are a diver you could find it yourself. I have not dove in over 10 years but I imagine the visibility in 20 feet of Lake Loudon is minimal. You will be searching grid patterns by feel.

John

 

[Skeetobite]

I would just dive on it and use a lift bag.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Diving for an anchor in lake water is like being blindfolded and searching for a tennis ball in your back yard. if you've never dove in those conditions, it's going to freak you out. You have to search in a grid pattern with a compass and count your kicks to make sure you cover the whole area. Even then, if it's not within arms length, you'll never see it.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

I have one of those big magnets that will surely lift the chain up IF you get close enough. You will likely have to be within 6 inches of it for it to work. The odds of doing that seem slim based on the size of the area you think it went down in. But since you have 50 feet of chain in 20 feet of water it would be easy to retrieve if you got lucky.

 

[wish2fish]

I would think the fishfinder would show it on the screen since the anchor would be much harder than the surrounding area. I think the problem is that fishfinders are not that accurate. In 20 feet of water the the screen would be showing you a 20 foot circle of the bottom. I guess that would narrow it down though and minimize your dive.

How much do they lower your water in the winter? Will the anchor be exposed during winter drawdown?

 

[Loneranger]

The lake only drops 5-6 feet in the winter so you would still be in 15 feet.

 

[Jim M]

Your a SCUBA diver--I don't understand why you can't dive on it (approx one foot visability) locate it then lift it.

 

[matthewmiller01]

The bottom is muddy. It will be significantly different (density) than its surroundings.

I will be able to lift it swimming/diving. The only hard part will be finding it.

I plan on diving it, the only problem is equipment. I have a buddy who loves black-water diving who has all equipment necessary. I already told him that I'd dive with or without him. I just need to borrow his tanks.