Do you have to come off anchor?

flapbreaker · 09-10-2005, 08:44 PM

I am just wondering if you can still successfully land salmon without coming of anchor to do it? I realize one would be fighting the current some but wasn't sure if anyone has tried staying on anchor and what their success rate is? Obviously if your in a hog line you pretty much need to drop out.

ampersat · 09-10-2005, 08:48 PM

If you've got the space so that you don't have to worry about fouling your neighbors, go for it!

luguando · 09-10-2005, 08:50 PM

On the tail end or front end of the outgoing tide you probably could get away with fighting the fish on anchor and have success bringing it to the net. Once the tide is running hard, it's VERY difficult to get a fish in against the current.

FROGGY · 09-10-2005, 08:50 PM

Today I landed my first salmon ever on anchor. We were not in a hog line, so I stayed on the pick. Landed the 15 lb fish, but the current did turn it into a bit more of a battle. I started getting nervous as the fight continued on, but landed it. In the future if I think I would come off anchor just for a bit more assurance of netting the fish.

jokester · 09-10-2005, 08:58 PM

If it's hooked good, it ain't coming off. Besides, it makes the fight better if you stay on anchor (that is unless you're in a tight line, then I say drop out!) Tires out the arms a little more :grin:

-jokester

crabbait · 09-10-2005, 09:38 PM

When fishing the Edwing in the river I prefer to stay on the hook (cabin boat with closed bow). We have had great success as long as we have room (not hoglining).

Better than dropping down on an unsuspecting hogline!

flapbreaker · 09-10-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

When fishing the Edwing in the river I prefer to stay on the hook (cabin boat with closed bow). We have had great success as long as we have room (not hoglining).

Better than dropping down on an unsuspecting hogline!

Good to know. That's the scenerio that I'm going to be in real soon, thus the question.

I know it's not ideal but it sounds doable.

MacEFL · 09-10-2005, 10:57 PM

I never drop off unless someone else is anchored real close. We have landed 35LB fish on anchor without a problem.

MattPark · 09-11-2005, 02:01 AM

Letting go of the anchor can only give you an advantage. Have the extra line tied up, and let go.

Sure, you can net fish anchored. Why not get rid of all the extra complications of current, etc? Letting go isn't rocket science.

David Johnson · 09-11-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Letting go of the anchor can only give you an advantage. Have the extra line tied up, and let go.

Sure, you can net fish anchored. Why not get rid of all the extra complications of current, etc? Letting go isn't rocket science.

I agree, why try it if you are pottentally going to land only half your fish.

It can only give you an advantage, I'm for doing anything that will give me an advantage.

StinkyH · 09-11-2005, 08:31 AM

We brought in and released a nook(little dark) yesterday while on hook. The fight stayed to the back side of the boat primarily and with some rod work I kept it from running under the boat. We released it and it was on it's way. The decision to stay on hook for this fight was made due to the fact that there were no boats next to us to get tangled up in and it was just the beginning of the outgoing(not much tide pullin).

In a filled hog line, it's FISH ON! and a fire drill to get the boat off anchor and the kicker fired up ASAP. Stay on hook and there is the risk of getting tangled in other folks gear and also losing your fish.

StinkyH

flapbreaker · 09-11-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Letting go of the anchor can only give you an advantage. Have the extra line tied up, and let go.

Sure, you can net fish anchored. Why not get rid of all the extra complications of current, etc? Letting go isn't rocket science.

The only good answer is that not all boats have easy access to the bow for a release. Not to mention if I'm out with the wife and youngster it's a lot more work trying to run the kicker, net the fish ect.. Otherwise I would just drop off anchor.

StinkyH · 09-11-2005, 09:00 AM

FWIW...

I've seen folks install a jam cleat back by where they sit and run the anchor rope from the anchor nest, down the side of the boat and then attach it where they can more easily release it and toss in the excess(in a mesh bag) with a float in instances where the bow is not easily accessible...

I fish with my fiance sometimes and when we get a fish on, I'll set the hook and hand off to her and then work to get the boat off anchor and the kicker running. If neccessary, I'll fight the fish and help her run the kicker to get us out of the hogline area. It's a bit challenging, but the flipside would be staying on hook and risking fouling other folks up and/or losing the fish.

A cleat back in the boat also helps when you're anchoring. You can hang the anchor in the water off the nest with the rope in the cleat and when you get to where you wanna drop anchor just pull the rope outta the cleat(keeping a hand on the rope at all times) and walk up to feed out more slack. Gives you a chance to start the boat backwards too after dropping the anchor to get into your spot on the hogline.

StinkyH

Ray S. · 09-11-2005, 10:12 AM

0

Will Fish For Food · 09-11-2005, 11:14 AM

We got a 18lbs today and didn't drop the hook.
It was the end of the tide and we were alone for a change.
I've dropped and got fish that would of come off if the fight lasted longer.
WFFF

5 Salt · 09-11-2005, 02:08 PM

StinkyH has got it for single handers - sweet idea.

Only big issue I see is, netting your fish with current. Stuggled with that a few times on Willy above Newberg. No way I was dropping with ripping current - to close to bank and boats below.

We got her done but it was a bit of goat-rope on the first try.

TyBoo · 09-11-2005, 02:43 PM

The few times I have fished upriver, I would always find a spot by myself, and tell others about to anchor next to me that I won't be releasing. My boat is a closed bow and cabin with a windlass, and I like it. The only time I get in any semblance of a hogline is when other C-Dorys are near by - they sort of gather in flocks, you see. Admittedly, I have only caught a dozen or so upriver fish, but I have yet to lose one.

I think the upriver procedure of hoglines and moving back on a fish is more tradition than necessary. The necessity only comes into play if there are too many boats to scatter out, or too many people intent on fishing a particular slot. Them critters you all catch up there have a lot more fight in them down here in the estuary, and with the B10 crowds, we often stay on troll (usually against the current) until the fish is near the net. In the ocean, where barbless is the rule, we always keep it in gear running away from the fish until it is a good part of the way in. Those salmon are kinda spunky out there, too. In either scenario, the fight would be easier if the boat was stationary.

How many people drop anchor to land a sturgeon? Them salmon put up a great fight, for sure, but I've never seen one as tough as the nine foot sturgeon we brought to the boat this season with the same 30# line I use for salmon.

The biggest part of fishing fun, to me, is fighting the fish. That's why we spend so much money on gear and time on rigging. I said it before, and I'll say it again: If I wanted to drive after them fish, I would just go to the store. A lot better chance of getting one, and a whole lot cheaper, to boot.

RiverMan · 09-11-2005, 04:38 PM

I'll tell you what, we drop anchor for sturgeon, and if you didn't they would be gone! As far as salmon I far prefer to stay on anchor but like others find it necessary to break loose because guys on either side of me in the hogline don't want to reel in. I think most all salmon could be landed on anchor, particularly with the heavy gear that most guys are now running.

RM

StinkyH · 09-11-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

As far as salmon I far prefer to stay on anchor but like others find it necessary to break loose because guys on either side of me in the hogline don't want to reel in.

Not trying to stir the pot but also consider that fish running under the other boats(outboards), running up into anchor lines, others not fishing while you work to land your fish... just seems to me to be win, win for everyone if you drop outta the line.

Just my 2�

Stinky

Boat Monkey · 09-11-2005, 08:04 PM

I call it by just how much the fish is fighting. I've caught fish just shy of 30 that came up like a large chunk of weeds and fish under 20 that fight like they're on fire.

Position is a big issue too. We've anchored well away from any hogline and had people fill in not but 60 feet behind us making drifting out not an option.

Guess it all just depends.