anchor rope debate

mic4fish · 10-06-2000, 06:04 PM

I recently purchased a new boat. I was in the process of buying some accessories. I went to Fisherman's marine supply and they suggested 3/8 versus 1/2 inch because the 3/8 has less drag. When I stopped by my fishing partner's house with my new rope he swore up and down that I should have bought 1/2 inch because it is nicer on your hands. All of my fishing buddies seem to say the same thing but yet everyone at Fisherman's seem to say 3/8's. very confused. Please help. I will be anchoring in the Columbia for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon.
fish on!
-Mike

Salmonator · 10-06-2000, 06:19 PM

If you are using an anchor puller properly you will be pulling in a slack line anyways. Go with the 3/8"...

Salmonator · 10-06-2000, 06:21 PM

the 1/2" is easier on your hands when using a driftboat pulley system, however there is more drag and it doesn't go through the pulleys as well and I ditched it for the 3/8 also. Sal

Dave · 10-06-2000, 06:21 PM

I use 3/8 inch nylon. It's good for the reasons you have already heard. No problem with it being harsh on your hands. Especially if you use the bouy to pull the anchor. I would not trade for 1/2 inch even if I could.

garyk · 10-06-2000, 08:52 PM

Aye, another vote here for the .375" for the above cited reasons. (for once, and perhaps the only time in fishing - cheaper is better)

cts258 · 10-06-2000, 08:56 PM

I agree 3/8

Mrdorkfish · 10-06-2000, 09:17 PM

Sorry gents....i have to say 1/2 inch rope.....I hate that nasty nylon stuff, I pull my anchor by hand....I'm a young buck and i can do that, also i don't have to put out alot of rope because i found that you can catch just as many or MORE in shallow water. My rope is soft as a babies bottom

and stores easy. And since they paid for so much boat they can't afford the 1/2inch. sry guys.. OUCH !!

MrDorkfish

Pilar · 10-06-2000, 09:38 PM

You'll really like that 1/2 inch when you need it to break off or be cut. Try getting out from under a submerged tree that's floated down your anchor line. Or try busting off a stuck anchor. Not easy. 3/8 is cheap and just strong enough to do the job. Think of it as a fuse.

As far as not having an anchor retriever, you'd better keep a sharp eye out for traffic. They wont wait for you to pull up your anchor by hand.

The barge and freighter traffic pretty much owns the area around Kelly Pt. They grudgingly tolerate, barely, the fishers anchoring there. Any one planning to fish that area should be ready to pull up in a hurry. That means a ball and ratchet or a bucket puller. Just start your boat and drive away upstream. When you've cleared the traffic, pull in your slack anchor line with no strain. If it's hard to get your anchor back, your doing it wrong.

The bend is your friend!

Mrdorkfish · 10-07-2000, 07:42 AM

Pilar, I never said i didn't use an anchor puller.....I have one, I put out my ball every time and have the correct anchor setup....also a plastic tie that breaks off and pulls the anchor from the bottom to better release it if it's stuck. I anchor SO far from the channel i can barely see the guys not catching fish! I don't have to worry about any barges....i also have a smaller ball that i throw out at the end of my rope so better to retrieve my anchor line after dropping out to play a fish. I won't say how many times that was cuz that would be bragging.

I just choose to pull it up by hand.

Mrdorkfish

[This message has been edited by Mrdorkfish (edited 10-07-2000).]

Salmonator · 10-07-2000, 10:35 AM

Choose to pull it in by hand when you have an anchor puller???

Sounds like not enough motor to me..

[This message has been edited by Salmonator (edited 10-08-2000).]

Mrdorkfish · 10-07-2000, 07:15 PM

Salmonator, You are being silly, It's not because i don't have enough motor it's because i'm a man and can pull my anchor by hand in the shallow water that i fish in where i catch lots of fish. I don't think i can type any slower than i just did. Thank you.

Mrdorkfish

WaterDog · 10-07-2000, 07:50 PM

Easy Guys........

It depends on the size of boat, the size of the anchor, the current, yadda yadda yadda. I have a couple of different anchors and anchor lines. It just depends on the conditions. Heck, sometimes I use my puller in six feet of water. My back isnt strong enough for alot of current while I drag a 2800 pound boat up river!

Mrdorkfish · 10-07-2000, 07:59 PM

WaterDog, Thanks! Someone understands me

That is pretty much what i was trying to get across.

Mrdorkfish

WaterDog · 10-07-2000, 08:21 PM

No problem MrDorkfish. My hat is off to you for what sounds like a great fall season.

My short set up is 150 feet of 5/8! Yes 5/8. Gives me something to grab onto. I use the brake-way chain on the anchor so if I hook something I won't lose it. I only use this set when chasing springers where I typically anchor in 8 feet or less.

------------------
EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

Salmonator · 10-07-2000, 08:32 PM

Just as silly as assuming that I cannot afford 1/2" rope.... and I think it was meant to be taken as the same kind of humor...

Mrdorkfish · 10-07-2000, 09:00 PM

Salmonator i'm not too serious about what anyone is saying.....i'm just having some fun. Please don't take me serious

Mrdorkfish

Pilar · 10-08-2000, 03:05 PM

Mr. Dorkfish. It's not your first rodeo. I can tell. You do whatever you want with your anchor. After all it's your boat and you are the captain! You must be doing it right since you get your share of fish and have some fun.

I guess I'm frustrated by the guppy boaters out there that don't really understand an anchor or anchor line. I can't even count how many I've seen get anchored by the outdrive and nearly sink or come bouncing thier anchor down the river right through my hogline. Not enough scope, no chain, too small an anchor, no clue, whatever. They are a menace!

The break away on the chain is a good thing. I weld a 10 foot section of 1 inch chain to the crossbar of my rocking chair anchor. Then I use the huge white ty straps to bind the chain to the ring at the end of the shank. If the anchor gets hung, the ty wraps bust and the chain pulls at the bottom of the anchor. Haven't lost an anchor since I started doing it that way.

My boat is real heavy and the puller is a must for me. Guess I'm just lazy.

The bend is your friend!

Salmonator · 10-08-2000, 06:50 PM

You know, we're probably comparing anchoring needs as different as night and day. A 700lb boat and a 3700lb boat are most likely gonna have different anchors. If MDF had to pull up a 40lb Willamette anchor in 80 feet of water, I think he's gonna use the puller no matter how manly he is, so I suppose our comparisons here don't really make sense...

mic4fish · 10-09-2000, 07:40 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like I made the right choice by going with the 3/8". Although, if I was going to pull my anchor by hand, I would definately go with 1/2". But call me lazy, I do have a boat with a motor, so I'll be using my anchor puller. Maybe when I'm fishing the lower Columbia for sturgeon I will pull anchor by hand cuz there are times when we've just fishing in 8 or 10 feet of water. Mr. DFish I find it intriguing that you were catching salmon in such shallow water. We always caught ours in at least 40 feet. But, more power to ya. It's easier anchoring, and you don't have so many knuckleheads all around you. Thanks again guys! Fish on,
Mike

Mrdorkfish · 10-11-2000, 07:31 AM

mic4fish, This shallow water that we were fishing was the same water we fished for steelhead, When the Salmon season opened i heard of and witnessed a guy limit out on kwikfish there. Not only were we in shallow water but our droppers were 6 1/2 to 8ft....really ! And i really liked that nobody was around us.......even after the guys above us in deeper water saw us dropping out quite a alot they still didn't want to join us.

Good luck all,

Mrdorkfish