A mud anchor or “Cajun anchor” is a popular device used by anglers when fishing shallow waters. Designed to hold a boat in place quickly, it was the predecessor of today’s modern Power Poles and Anchor pins that deploy mechanically.
A Cajun anchor is typically a metal rod, four to eight feet long, made from aluminum, galvanized or stainless steel, with a shackle at one end to attach an anchor line and a somewhat tapered end at the bottom tip for penetrating the bottom. To hold the boat, the anchor is thrown or speared into the water for precise boat positioning.
The first piece you’ll need to make your own is the rod. Look for a grounding rod in the electrical department of your local building supply. These are typically made of galvanized steel or copper and may be from 5/8- to an inch in diameter and eight feet long.
Using a heavy duty or ball peen hammer, pound the sides near the top of the rod until you have two flat surfaces, then drill a ¼-inch hole near the end that will accommodate a shackle. Stainless or nickel-plated shackles are also available in the hardware section, as are solid metal rings to attach to the shackle to tie a rope to.
The pointed end of the grounding rod can be left as is or sharpened with a grinder or hand file for better penetration of the bottom.
To deploy the anchor, coil several feet of anchor line in your off hand and punch the rod down into the water. Depending on the bottom composure and your ability, the anchor can be suitable for water depths up to 15 feet.
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