Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hey guys, wanted to get your idea's on something. We primarily use our pontoon boat for fishing.. normally when we get to our fishing spot we just tie the front end of the boat to a tree branch and then I usually throw out an anchor or two on the back end, depending on the wind. Well anyway I have been thinking about going with one of these "push rod anchor systems"... you've seen them I'm sure... It's a pole that you can get in various lengths, usually has a metal tip on one end and a handle on the other... most of the companies make a bracket you run the pole thru so that you can push it into the lake bottom to hole your boat.. problem is these systems are fairly expensive, 200 to 300 bucks or more per system, and I want two, one for the front and one for the rear... anyway I'm pretty sure I can make the pole myself - probably buy 8 to 10 feet sections of 1/2" pvc pipe, put a T on the end for a handle.. but I'll need to find something to put as a point on the other end... also I need a way to mount a cheap bracket to run the poll thru.. I was thinking about buying a couple of cheap rod holders like the one pictured below, and just mounting them with screws thru the rub rail. Any of you guys using a "poor mans' power pole system.. if so what did you use -- what do you think about my idea for a home made pole and rod holder.. any reasons why it would'nt work? Thanks

wouldn't 1/2 pvc flex a lot with an 8ft span between the mount and the ground?

This is what I did. https://mgs4u.com/shallow-water-anchor-parts-kits/

I used the rope/ring mounting solution pictured at the bottom of the page. It works but not as well as a fixed stiff mount would.

Given the flex I get from the solid rod, I too would be nervous about hollow pipe. Not to mention the extra mud you would pull into your boat.

Ditto on what Jediger posted. I use an 8' fiberglass anchor pin with the ring setup he noted.

You said poor not pretty. Been using this for the last six years. I needed something that would hold up to the current when a barge goes by and the wake of a large cabin cruiser. I just used floating dock parts from Menards. Everything is mounted to a 4x4 bolted to the deck and frame.

FREAKIN INGENIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! Maybe 50 bucks for that setup?????????

Right around that price. Plus the poles store on top of the logs held in place by the hardware that holds the screw on.

bansil wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 25, 2018 3:34 am

wouldn't 1/2 pvc flex a lot with an 8ft span between the mount and the ground?

Bansil... see, this is exactly why I came to you guys... the thought of the 1/2 pvc "flexing" never entered my mind... thanks for bringing this to my attention...

jediger wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 25, 2018 6:01 am

This is what I did. https://mgs4u.com/shallow-water-anchor-parts-kits/

I used the rope/ring mounting solution pictured at the bottom of the page. It works but not as well as a fixed stiff mount would.

Given the flex I get from the solid rod, I too would be nervous about hollow pipe. Not to mention the extra mud you would pull into your boat.

Jediger.. small world, I was actually looking at the same shallow water anchor system you provided the link for.. so let me ask you a couple of questions... did you go with the 8' or larger... have you had any issues with the " tip " coming off when you pull the pin up out of the mud... I know this company doesn't provide a "fixed mount", so do you think the anchor pins you bought would work well with a fixed "rod holder" screwed into the rub rail... that way it would be straight up and down... just not sure what the inside diameter of the rod holder is or the outside diamater of the push pin pole... but this looks like it would do a good job as long as there isn't too much play between the anchor pole and the rod holder. I'm assuming your happy with the construction of the anchor poles you purchased.

mgarvie wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 25, 2018 9:34 am

You said poor not pretty. Been using this for the last six years. I needed something that would hold up to the current when a barge goes by and the wake of a large cabin cruiser. I just used floating dock parts from Menards. Everything is mounted to a 4x4 bolted to the deck and frame.

mgarvie... wow, what a great set up.. that looks like the Industrial strength version.... lol

Have you considered threaded black pipe for home gas lines? Get the lengths that will fit in the space you have to store it. Heat and pound the first one to a point to go into the bottom sand/mud. Then just screw sections together till you have enough to reach the depth you need.

ROLAND wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 25, 2018 11:43 pm

Jediger.. small world, I was actually looking at the same shallow water anchor system you provided the link for.. so let me ask you a couple of questions... did you go with the 8' or larger... have you had any issues with the " tip " coming off when you pull the pin up out of the mud... I know this company doesn't provide a "fixed mount", so do you think the anchor pins you bought would work well with a fixed "rod holder" screwed into the rub rail... that way it would be straight up and down... just not sure what the inside diameter of the rod holder is or the outside diamater of the push pin pole... but this looks like it would do a good job as long as there isn't too much play between the anchor pole and the rod holder. I'm assuming your happy with the construction of the anchor poles you purchased.
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I also wanted one for the bow and one for the stern. Went and ordered three 8' lengths, but had then cut prior to order so they would fit in the ski locker. Two lengths were cut at 6' and one was cut at 4'. T handle went on the 2' sections. 6' section is the bottom and I can extend it to a total of 12' depending on depth. I did not get the bottom point since most of my lake bottom is mud/silt.

in terms of use, it depends a lot on the depth you are in. You need some length because you have to sink the rod in pretty well with a soft bottom to keep it secure. Without a solid fixed sleeve to slide it through on the boat, its very much like tying to small portable sapling. There's lots of flex and you'll move around a bit, but it will keep you in a general area. It also makes more noise than I expected as it moves around against the side of the boat.

I don't use it as much as I thought I would but I also don't regret the project.

I made my own very easy. Do a search for solid pvc rod. It’s not expensive at all. A 7 foot section about 3.00. I used 3/4 it also,comes in 1/2 and 1 inch. I used 3/4 also,purchased a tee for,the top then using a grinder I made the end pointed. I tied a rope and floot to the handle Incase it came loose so I could retrieve it. If you want a bracket you can buy a bracket used to attaché electrical pipe,to the side of a building. I just tie mine off to the toon

This is why I love this site....so many clever people.
Where else could you find this much knowledge in one place.

Gonefishing wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:43 pm

I made my own very easy. Do a search for solid pvc rod. It’s not expensive at all. A 7 foot section about 3.00. I used 3/4 it also,comes in 1/2 and 1 inch. I used 3/4 also,purchased a tee for,the top then using a grinder I made the end pointed. I tied a rope and floot to the handle Incase it came loose so I could retrieve it. If you want a bracket you can buy a bracket used to attaché electrical pipe,to the side of a building. I just tie mine off to the toon

Once again, this is why you ask for advice on this forum... I had just assumed that all pvc was hollow... now I know it's not and a solid 8 foot section shouldn't have a whole lot of flex to it... gonefishing, can you tell me if 1/2" is sufficent or should I consider 1"... also I'm not familiar with the type of bracket you described.. can you elaborate... and thank you for your reply... another really good and much less expensive option.