Classic Navy Anchor
This was the first anchor I ever purchased. It's the type of anchor that everyone recognizes because it's the one you see in decor and in the movies. This shape of an anchor dates back to Roman times, with a lot of modifications since then. Like the arms that curve upwards for better grip and the shift in the anchor's center of gravity, so it balances horizontally when lifted out of the water. More photos
Richter Anchor
My newest anchor! The Richter anchor is great. It has a centered weight and a release bar that makes the anchor very retrievable. It sets better than most anchors I've used, especially in a lake setting. It has a coated steel body that fights off wear and tear, and the multi-fluke pattern looks as cool as it is useful! I'm so pumped to get out on the lake and use this one more!
Danforth Anchor
The Danforth anchor is a champ in clay and mud sea bottoms. It was designed by a guy named Richard Danforth in the 1940s and is incredibly versatile. Sometimes it takes a long time to set at the bottom when dropped, so you gotta be patient with a Danforth. It works by setting on a hinged dual fluke system that creates the forked mouth you see, grabbing into the soft ground.
Mushroom Anchor
The Mushroom anchor gets its name from its shape, which looks like an upside-down mushie! This shape has been used since the ancient Greeks, but it's changed a lot over the years as we've learned more about the science of the anchor. This style uses its weight and suction power to plant itself on a seafloor with good amounts of mud and sand. Not great for a rocky bottom.
Bruce Claw Anchor
The Bruce Claw anchor holds in a variety of sea beds and stows away easily on the roller of most boats. It sets quickly and resets after veering, but it doesn't hold well in mud. It was designed by Peter Bruce in the early 70s and has built a solid reputation since! It's one of my go-to's. Affordable and good performance overall.
River Anchor
Sometimes I go out on rivers instead of lakes to change up the type of fish I can catch, so I have this classic River anchor in my collection. It's a single-piece design, so it's easy to place and very compact in size. You'll notice that its arms are rounded instead of sharp like most lake anchors because it penetrates the riverbed easier that way.