Much of my fishing requires the use of an anchor, so I thought I’d share some tips and tricks that you can employ on your next trip.
My anchor is set up as a break away. With a break away, it’s almost a guarantee that you won’t lose your anchor if it gets stuck between a rock and a hard place. Attach the end of your chain to the business end of the anchor instead of at the top of the shank. Secure the chain to the top of the shank with a few heavy zip ties. If needed, add another zip tie halfway down the shank to keep things neat. If you get rocked up, the zip ties will break and allow you to retrieve the anchor from the bottom.
Chain is a very important aspect of your anchor set up. You can use a smaller anchor with more chain and be able to hold your boat in place than if you had a heavier anchor and no chain at all. The chain will help drive the arms or flukes into the sand much more efficiently. At minimum, your chain should be 60 to 70 percent of your boat’s length. My boat is 25 feet and I have 20 feet of 3/8 inch chain.
The most difficult part of dropping the hook is landing where you want to, once the anchor sets. Make a couple drifts over the area you are trying to target to determine wind and current conditions. Try setting up right on top of your spot and allow the conditions to dictate where you drift. Now you can go past that initial mark and drop the hook. Give yourself plenty of distance so that you can add scope as needed.
One last thing you should have is an anchor ball. This will save you time and your back will thank you as well. This extra time and energy will allow you to reset if you happen to miss your mark.
Capt. Ryan Palmer
Family Jewell Fishing Charters
954-882-2631
www.fjsportfishing.com