....looks like it wouldn't have any "give" if it gets stuck, though. When I'm diving, I actually use my sand anchor....I make sure it's well and truly wedged into the reef when I begin the dive, pull it out at the end...that's on SCUBA, freediving may be a different kettle of fish. Never had any dramas doing that, or when using the reefy while fishing, and that's with a 5.8m boat.

 If your anchor is giving way under the weight of a swinging boat then wouldn't it mean that it's too light?

you should never leave a boat unattended with a reef pick, whether diving or otherwise.
The only accepted and proper way is a suitable anchor into sand or mud.
Anything else is less than optimum seamanship

Personally i am with rob on this one we use them when fishing and staying in the boat but no way would i use one when diving. I always try to drop it on sand and check it once i go down and move to where ever i need too.

But if they bend they must have been too small / light ? Those points should grab the reef pretty well.

I have always liked anchors that you can attach at the head and cable tie shank end for easy retrieval!

 I'm surprised it bent without the assistance of an outboard. I have used them heaps and honestly can't remember that ever happening so it must have been a fairly light gauge one. Aside from that yes that other one will work with a reasonable amount of chain. Just be sure to use a cable tie or something on the main end with the shackle on the other for times and you need to use the out word to snap the cable tie and lift the anchor from the other end. Like the reef pick though make sure the cable tie is strong enough to hold in normal conditions.

having said all that with enough chain once hooked on reef a typical reef anchor will be fine. Like the guys said above though a mud pick will sort it out good and proper.

 i don't want to meet the fisho who has nothing to learn about

Seamanship. Certainly not with me out in his boat anyway.

I know i've picked up a couple of tips on this forum.

And dry land is a good place to absorb a bit of wisdom.

Keep it comin Rob.

i drop my anchor on the reef every time without fail. Use my sand anchor on the winch and make sure i drop down the line and wedge it in nicely at the start of the dive. I actually drop a reef anchor (prong style) as well so always have 2 anchors out when no one is left on the boat. There has been times the sand anchor gets stuck and I have had to go back to get it though.

Back to the topis at hand though would be keen to see if these reef anchors work, i like the prongs to be able to wedge them in nice and tight and know the boat will drag it out if need be.

That would be my recommendation.

They are cheap, will stick in sand and reef, and can be easily retrieved using the motor if they get stuck in the reef.

As others have mentioned make sure you have enough chain, and let out enough line for the conditions.

 Scott's I us a five pronged grapnel anchor , the prongs are not very long so they don't tend to straighten out to easily , my other tip is I always start and finish my dive at the anchor and come up the rope , that way I ensure my anchor is set well before my dive and when ready to surface I move the anchor clear of any obstructions to ensure a easy retrieval 

 Wow! I have a reef anchor I made myself with 12mm round bar prongs. It's never failed, that said I have a good 5m of chain hanging off the end and it works beautifully in sand as well if the wind aint blowing too hard. If I do drop it on coral bottom I always need to drive it off. Might have to make you one Scotto. When I used to dive I woould always swim down the anchor line and place it in a good wedged spot and as above swim back up the line.

 Strewth if you use 12mm stainless you will struggle to bend it at all!! 10 mm tops and lots of chain. 

I use the same anchor as in the photo...
It holds absurdly well, I use around 15m of chain which no doubt helps.
Either way I wouldn't hesitate to recomend it as this is my anchor of choice for a large variety of sea floors.
 

I would agree running a second anchor on a seperate line is worth while if your not in the boat or if your sleeping just in case your rope breaks... i feel this is of benefit over tandem anchor setup. That being said don't leave the second anchor too short or with the rising tide you might end up with a submarine.

DM

Its funny this topic has come up,

Scotto recently I thought I'd buy my way into the Inlaws new Razorline by rigging them up a beaut anchor set up as they lost a reefy fishing on their first outing... I had 50m of new 16mm Nylon rope laying around in the shed at home so I took that to Gerro where they live expecting to be easily able to buy them a good 5 prong reef anchor ( the type that have the shackle ring on both ends ) so I ended up going to 5 Marine dealers and none of them had a decent pre bent strong 5 prong reefy with the shackle points at both ends, they all stocked the light gauge bend your self no shackle point on the front end type so I ended up bringing one back across the border from Streaky Bay a month ago... I've had my same anchor over ten years and using 5mtrs of chain and the cable tie method I've never had a problem with my setup... Once you've made Scotto one I suggest kicking of your anchor business in Gerro Andy!!

Yep agree Paul, light staino wire prevents loss... I keep tiny cable ties in the boat especially for the pick and usually have two one tightish and another looser tying the chain off so if one does let go accidentally the other will hold... I've forgotten to take ties before and used a double wrap of 80lb mono and its bullshit how much both the ties and the line can take to snap sometimes....

good topic this one, my 2cents-
I have a few different styles on the boat which I interchange as needed with a D-Shackle (reef pick, Plough and Sarca). When fishing its always the reef pick as its light and easy to pull and if it gets stuck can always get it back with a bit of HP. Don't trust it with diving though, it has come free a number of times while fishing.

For diving (which I have only just started doing) we only use the sarca or plough which are heavy and have never experienced one slip. just check it when swimming down the anchor line and that's it. The only negative with the sarca or plough is if they get stuck in the reef they can be impossible to get out when back up in the boat and they are quite expensive. So always check that it or the chain is not snagged up before ascending and you should be ok. When retrieving always drive slowly towards the anchor while retrieving rope until you drive over it, that way it doesn't get pulled into a snag