River Anchoring my way.

[Gundog]

Here is my layout giving an overall view. I use 2’ of chain attached to the anchor all of the time with the break away zip tie attached. Next I use another 6’ of coated chain with a quick disconnect link. I carry another 6’ of chain with another quick disconnect I can add when needed for a total of 14’ of 5/16 chain. I don’t like leaving the whole 14’ together as most of the time it is not needed. The next section is a spliced eye to some hollow core yacht braid rope bought at Fishermans 300’. I have painted a small section of rope every 50’ with a spray can first mark is black at 50’ next mark is red at 100’ changing colors back and forth so I no how much rope I have out. Next is a large anchor ball with easy puller pulley. I have put a quick link on the pulley to ball connection also for my application. I have a closed bow and I store the rope chain and ball in the hatch when not in use. I use a Chinook drop out bag but I don’t quite use it as designed.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02943.JPG

I tie a simple knot called a three ring bowline in the main line I will show how to tie it later. I attach a 25’ length of rope to the anchor mainline and to the drop out bag after I have let out the right amount of anchor rope.

Close up of the drop out bag rigged.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02945.JPG

I run the 25’ rope attached to the main line with another quick link around the side of the boat to a wedge cleat near the port side rear of the boat. The rope attached to the rear wedge cleat allows me to drop out with one hand while fighting a fish. I fish alone quite a bit and this is important. Everything I need is in this back corner of the boat rod, kicker motor and anchor rope release. The rope actually runs along the side of the boat and out over the bow. Do not run the rope straight from the stern to the anchor. The 25’ section of rope has no knots to hang on any thing when released.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02947.JPG

Back to the bow when I first let out the rope and set the anchor I have another wedge clamp in the front to temporarily hold a bite of the line while I rig the bag and tie the three ring bowline.(I purposely have not shown my anchor nest because it is a new design I am looking into getting a patent for and manufacturing them for sale.) I then throw the whole thing out in the water this lets the boat slide back about another 6-8’ so if you are sliding in a hog line take this into account.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02948.JPG

Her are some pictures that show how to tie the three ring bowline. Step one lay the rope in your hand like the picture.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02949.JPG

Now make another loop around your hand xing in the middle like the photo shows.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02950.JPG

Next make the third loop around your hand and that loop goes between the first two loops. Like the photo below.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02951.JPG

You should now have three loops in your hand like the photo. Reach under the loop on the right and grab the loop on the left and pull it over the middle loop but under the right loop sliding your hand out at the same time. You should have what is shown bellow. Sorry the photo is fuzzy it is not your eyes.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02952.JPG

Now pull it up tight and you have a three ring bowline like is shown bellow. This knot will not pull tight so you can’t untie it later. There are other knots that you can tie but this is a real quick one to use. Remember whenever you tie a knot you weaken the rope at the spot the knot is tied but if you break your anchor rope at this knot that would be a good thing on a small boat that means you have too much strain on the rope and something needed to give anyway.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC02953.JPG

I know there are many ways to do things and this is mine.
Mike

[PapaHog]

Thank you for the tutorial. This may save our lives.

papa

[Double Header]

I appreciate the information and the photos. I always wondered how that drop out bag worked. You solved the mystery. Thanks for all your time and effort in helping me to learn somehting new.

[Chinookjinxd]

Sick post thanks for the sweet info !!!

[mystic]

Mike, good information. Another way to avoid the line hassel is to install a Mageze behind the anchor system. This gadget releases you off the anchor instantly with a flip of the switch.

[Crabnfool]

Mike, excellent post, with lots of good info. :dance:

This mageze thingy that mystic talks about is nothing more than an electro-magnet that puts a constant drain on your battery whole you are sitting in that hog line... I don’t know what the amperage draw is, but in my opinion I don’t want any more draw on the batteries than what is absoluty necessary, besides having to drill more holes in my boat, running more wires, and having just another switch that needs to be checked turned off when you put you boat away. I feel that it is nothing more that a "Gadget" for people that have more "Dollars than Sense":shrug: for some thing that could be done with simple rigging I understand that there are some applications where that thing would be a good as sliced bread, but again in my own opinion, I think that this would be a very small market.