Anchoring in... hmmm...let's say the Ghost Hole

[MoJet Driver]

I'm not sure really how to ask this question so let me explain my plight.

When I bought my boat I tried to keep the payments limited to 100 years so I skimped on the kicker motor and bracket. Big mistake, anyway I don't have much trouble trolling with the pump blazing as long as the current is good and I feel the water is deep enough so I won't jet blast the scales off the fish. However, I would like to fish the Ghost Hole but the only way, I think I could do it effectively would be to anchor up and plunk or back bounce. I've seen this hole with a bazillion boats trolling back and forth and I was wondering what everyone would think if I anchored at the head or tail of the hole. Definitely out of the main trolling lane. Would this be rude and bad juju?

[Jennie@ifish]

Hi there!
We were trolling through the ghost hole on Saturday and there were two boats anchored up in the South end of the Ghost Hole.
I asked the two knowledgable fishermen with me, what this was all about.
They explained that this was the first time they had seen this, and should the hole be really busy, as it is sometimes, this would be considered extremely rude.
The tide had turned and the main crowd was gone, so it didn't cause any conflict, but I was told that at busy times this would cause extreme chaos.
They said if you are running boats, you have to be able to manuever on quick notice, and through tight quarters.
I personally feel, that this is everyones water, and everyone should be able to fish it, but I think I am a MAJOR minority!
I couldn't really get a GOOD answer why, but as coastal and fisher rules go...."This is the way we have always done it...!"
Jen

[WaterDog]

Hey Mojet,

I here you on the kicker and the bracket. I did the same thing as you and 2 months later the boat was in Mark's shop getting the bracket installed. It's worth it!

I've never fished the ghost hole but have done some serious observation from the highway eating lunch while deer hunting in the area. If it was busy, you would not be very popular. It is everyones water, but sometimes you have to go with the flow.

[Moleman]

PLEASE.....do not anchor in the Ghost Hole! I don't fish that spot regularly. Why not try getting a little kicker that burns a quart of oil every 6 hours for $200.

------------------
"TMM"

[Jeffhead]

Now Jen,
I think the answer that you got from Bill and Me was along the lines of "this has traditionaly been a trollers area" and to anchor here when it was really busy might not make you the most popular person on the water that day. There are spots all over that are traditionaly one way or another, the Clay Banks below Blue Creek on the Cowlitz is a boondoggin area, so don't anchor up in the middle of it, the whole area on the Nisqually from the Handicap hole to below the Mounts Road bridge is a bankers paradise and out of courtesy don't boondog that stretch, it's just common courtesy to at times "do as the romans do". I'm sure that there are other places like that down your way.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

[Mrdorkfish]

MoJet..... i personally think that if you anchored in the ghost hole you would get the same response that you would get if you anchored on the Sandy River just below the Troutdale bridge at the hieght of the fall salmon run. And by the way....did you get out there tonight? Any fish-a-floppin? Any hook-ups?


Mrdorkfish

[Pete]

Mojet; the Ghost is "traditionally" a trolling area, but it is also just a traditional area. TBay fishing is very much guided by tradition, but the fish are not traditionalists. Pick up a copy of Don Best's excellent aerial photograph of the bay to see all the channels. I bet you could find another hole which would be fine for anchoring. There's a great channel running up through the middle of the bay towards the "west channel" where people "traditionally" drop crab pots. I've seen tons of fish going up this channel when I've gone to drop my pots. I've always wondered why no one targets those fish. It might take a little experimentation to find the best spot, but I doubt that anyone would be real upset if you anchored there.

[MoJet Driver]

I don't think I'll anchor there!

Thanks for everyone's response... It was a question that had to be asked.

Mr. D,

Did not wet a line yesterday, I was going to park at Glen Otto and there was a paving operation going on and I was on the wrong side of the river. Then went up to Dabney and didn't have 3 bucks for the parking fee. Only had a twenty spot and fishing would have had to be damn good for me to cough that much for a couple of hours. Considered Oxbow but I would have had an angry little blonde girl by the time I got home. You know... the fishing was hot and I couldn't leave... yeah yeah yeah. I'm going to do it Thursday come hell or low water. Pray for rain!

Pete,

That was my next plan. We seem to think alike. I like the idea of the aerial photo. Thanks!

MJD