How important are bow cleats?

NW JET'N · 02-20-2004, 10:04 AM

I have a question for all you anchoring springer fisherman. I went out several times last year on a friends boat. We fished in a small hog line and did a lot of changing the position of the anchor line to find the best spot. They had multiple bow cleats and could move the boat left or right several feet by chocking over. Much easier that reanchoring. You know how in seems like one boat or even one rod gets the majority of the action. They explained that those spingers can run a pretty tight line almost nose to tail and if your not in their path you won't do as well. Makes sense I guess. My question is, I have a 19ft jet boat with bow rails and only one center cleat, how important is multiple cleats? Should I consider removing the rails? Thanks!

dlgobeavs · 02-20-2004, 10:11 AM

One other thought...you can make the same adjustment using sea anchors.

WaterDog · 02-20-2004, 10:17 AM

I have 2 chocks either side of center. I also have a rope with a clip that I can tie to the bow rail if I need more adjustment outside of the chocks. You can also use your sea anchors for adjustment as well such as using only one on one side or the other.

It�s it important? It is to me. It's usually the little things that put fish in the boat.

My pennies worth.

Pete · 02-20-2004, 10:19 AM

I have both cleats and rails. I use them all to fine tune my location. I don't think you can achieve the same with sea anchors as they tend to pull the boat sideways in the current, but they will keep the boat from swinging. If you got rails, experiment with them ... you may be able to achieve what you need. Also, keep in mind that in the Columbia, you really don't want to be more than a couple boat widths from the nearest boat when the wake of a weekend cruiser comes by or you'll be looking at what grade of rubbing compound you'll need to get the gouges out.

Cowlitz77 · 02-20-2004, 10:25 AM

An altenitive to removing your rails is to do what I did--Drill holes in a few key spots and have pins made that you can move to the different holes. Simply move the rope around the pin thereby shearing you over.

NW JET'N · 02-20-2004, 10:33 AM

Hey, thanks guys for the quick replies and helpful hints. Pete, I am curious about where your cleats are in relationship to your rails. Don't suppose I could talk you into a picture? You may have a wider bow than I do. My friends did use a sea anchor. I didn't realize you could use them also, I just thought it was for holding when windy. It seemed they used the cleats for the fine tuning. I agree WaterDog, it is the fine details that count!
Thanks.

greenbuttskunk · 02-20-2004, 10:48 AM

very handy, I'd recommend them, especially over dift socks which can be troublsome in a hogline. They can be a pain to move/remove when you have to break out in a big hurry to avoid somebody.
GBS

NW JET'N · 02-20-2004, 12:21 PM

WaterDog, Is that clip you were talking about something I can get at fishermans or is it a homemade deal?

cosmo · 02-20-2004, 12:28 PM

Bolt on chocking clesats can be had for $12 a pair.

WaterDog · 02-20-2004, 12:36 PM

Got it at the local farm store but I'm sure FMS or Joes has them too. I got a big one so it is easy to clip over the rope.

Mine looks like the one on the left. :smile:

NW JET'N · 02-20-2004, 02:01 PM

WaterDog, thank you for the pic. Sometimes I feel silly. That seems so simple. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Lured In · 02-20-2004, 02:27 PM

I just tie off to the rail with an overhand loop knot(like a slip knot) with the tag end over the rail and back to the bow cleat. That way is easy to pull out when you get a fish on and if the knot comes off, you are still tied off to the bow cleat. Maybe not the cleanest solution, but it works.

wetaline · 02-20-2004, 02:59 PM

i run 3 chalks on each side of the bow and of course the center cleat.. i have a hard time understanding guys that dont have that type of flexibility if they do any kind of anchor fishing for salmon.... i'm always tied off to the center cleat and just run the anchor line to the chalk. w/ the chalks combined w/ sea anchors you can get very precise on where you sit on the water.

wetaline · 02-20-2004, 03:02 PM

and i do have rails (North River - low profile rails) - so the rope just goes over the top of the rail to the chalk... to release anchor you just undoe the half-hitch on the center cleat and it slides over and off the chalks on the side.

02-20-2004, 03:49 PM

[ 02-24-2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

Rocky · 02-20-2004, 06:37 PM

NW JET'N, I have rails (TJ Luxor) and there was more than enough room for cleats, dont know the difference in width between your n mine though, I have mine about 2 1/5 to 3 feet from the bow and also use them when pulling anchor, still use the bow cleat to pull with but slip the rope under the side cleat so it dont rub up by the windshield.

WaterDog · 02-20-2004, 07:51 PM

I'll ad that I use the clip so the rope can slide through it easier when I release from the anchor. Where I do a majority of my springer fishing, I often fish alone, so I need to be able to have the rope slide free and easy.

[ 02-20-2004, 08:52 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

SCStinger · 02-21-2004, 03:53 AM

I realize you have a jet but for people with props,you can swing your boat in current by changing the position of your motor.

Smj · 02-21-2004, 05:27 AM

A drift sock(s) comes in handy to help pull the boat out of the hogline quicker. After a fish is hooked and the fire drill starts, I release the anchor rope and by the time I get to the back of the boat the current is pulling the boat out of line with the sock. Once the boat is out of the line and drifting it's alot easier to pull the sock in. This is a good thing in a tight hogline with mutiple rods per boat.

If you've got a kicker on the jet boat you can drop that down into the water for some adjustment.

Smj

slabhunter · 02-21-2004, 10:23 AM

This is how my bow looks on the Intruder. If adjustment is needed beyond the clam cleats I move the boat.