[Keith Wire]

I agree with Earl. Take out the heating element and see if you can't get at it through that hole. You might also be able to use a crevice tool on a shop vac and get at the last bit of sediment.

I can't say for sure about the anodes in the TM water heater, but all the ones in a normal heater are made with a steel wire in them and then and then the aluminum (or magnesium) is deposited around the wire. I have seen some that all is left is the wire in the middle with clumps of aluminum above and below.

So, you might be able to use a magnet to retract it.

Keith