Jet Anchor and Lessons

Mark Vickers · 01-25-2004, 07:01 PM

Okay, I've looked and looked through the archives, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for...

I just bought a 19' Thunderjet Luxor Sportjet. I already have a complete anchor system for the Columbia/Willamette (that worked great for a 21' Trophy). What I'm looking for is a smaller anchor for smaller rivers, slower current, etc. What size is right? 35# animal or pyrimid? Do I need chain?

Also... Looking for recommendations on a guide (or very experieced person) to walk a novice river boater through proper use of my jet on a local river (Sandy is closest and the one I spend most time steelheading on). I have a heap of years in with bigger prop boats and in rivers in kayaks and driftboats, but not jets. I've been taking my boat out near daily on the Columbia practicing manuevering it.

Painful to admit, but I don't know everything.

A little tutelage in safe and responsible use of my boat is probably not a bad idea.

IFISH4U · 01-25-2004, 07:27 PM

I bought my first sled new form Wooldridge when I was 19 and have thousands of days on the water with all I have now and my first river was the Cowlitz, its big and easy and was high at the time, but it was still a little nervewracking. Just remember throughout your learning experience dont follow just any boat up the river thinking he knows the holes and slots, he may not, make sure you are following someone who knows that you are behind him and following him. Pay attention to what shallow water looks like while your in it, every now and then look behind you to see if your throwing rocks or sand, if you dont look sometimes you wont know, and if you do this for duration you could have a problem, not to mention it hard on your pump.

If it doesnt look safe to you and doesnt feel right dont do it, its that easy. You may not be comfortable with that particular run during your rookie year sledding, but the next year it may feel better and you can do it, take it slow and safe. Always look ahead and be aware of other boats and watch what channels the sleds are taking and what side of the river the anglers are fishing on, be courteous and most of the time you`ll get it back.

Your first trip may not be full of fishing, but may be learning the current of the river and how to handle your particular boat.

When running through shallow water stay on an even plane do not let off of the throttle your stern will drop and therfore you may hit bottom with your transom, I ve seen many gates ripped off of pumps this way. Sometimes accelerating will get you out of potential shallow water mistakes, but never decelerating.

I have alot more I could say and I would be glad to show you, but Im not sure where your from and your river would probably be new to me. When in doubt go with a guide and rack his brain, watch his lanes in the river and hopefully he is courteous and you will see what to do in heavy traffic areas. One more thing remember to keep track of water levels and then if it dropped you know those shallow runs are even shallower now. Also the river changes every winter so be prepared and ask before you head out to your hole if you havent been there for quite some time.

Remember this when traveling upriver it is easier to see your traveling lanes and where you should be, however when traveling down the decline or slope of the river can be very steep and cause you to only see part of the run, make sure that you remember what lane you took on the way up through the run and try and stay in it on the way down and whenever in doubt, park your boat in a safe spot and walk down the river and make a plan. Its saved me before in small rivers.

Hands on will teach you much more you just have to do it, Good Luck and remember be safe. Its alot of fun, nothing better than firing up the Mercurys in the morning and preparing your day.

IFISH4U · 01-25-2004, 07:30 PM

I use an adjustable self made slug with eight fourteen inch hooks and still it doesnt hold sometimes, I slide lead discs in the body to make it lighter or heavier, I havent changed it for a long time, its sixty pounds, I use it for my 17`6 and 21`6 and 23`6, works usually, slides a little in heavy water, but using your kicker is probably better anyway in that situation.

Get Bent · 01-25-2004, 07:38 PM

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ROOKIE JET BOATERS DON'T KNOW IS THE BOAT COMING DOWN RIVER HAS RIGHT OF WAY DONT FOR GET THAT
ALSO DONT TRY AND TEST YOUR SKILLS WHEN FISH AND FISHERMEN ARE IN THE RIVER YOU WILL NOT BE POPULAR
LIKE TO GUYS PLAYING ON THE CLACK LAST WEEK END GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFE AND SMART

SALMON AND STEELHEAD 5.00 A POUND
INTAKE GRATE AND BOTTOM REPAIR 2500++++++

cosmo · 01-25-2004, 08:57 PM

If the Sandy is the place, give Jack Glass a call. Tell him about wanting to learn the river, don't hide it (as many do). Some guides will not take you in that case, mainly because they feel a sense of respnsibility for you when you hit the water on your own. Good luck.

metalhead madness · 01-25-2004, 09:36 PM

I used Jack when I got my sled and he did a great job. Have fun and be safe :grin:

Pickles · 01-26-2004, 01:22 AM

As far as anchor is concerned, I also have a 19 ft Thunderjet Luxor. The anchor I use is a 26 lb ez-marine anchor with about 8 feet of heavy chain. I have never broke loose, unless my zip tie broke. If you have any other questions about your boat let me know.

ChinookSlayer · 01-26-2004, 07:25 AM

As far as anchors go, for the smaller situations, I have a 35# anchor with 75' of rope and a crab float. The float allows me to toss the anchor and come back.. I don't know the name of the type, but it is a cylinder with around 8 spikes coming off the bottom. I have used it mainly in the Newport Bay. The only time it slipped a little (10' max) was in the jaws with a good current coming in. I suppose the spikes aren't the best for sand. BTW, my boat is a 20' sled.