several questions about anchoring

[ManitouDan]

the piece on boat control in the last esox angler got me thinking about boat control under windy conditions . I'm curious , how many have tryed this technique, anchoring during a hard blow and fan casting a spot , then pull up, anchor again and cast another area, maybe 1-2 cast away from the original spot. sounds like a good idea , don't know how many times I've been confident I could hook up on a spot but don't mainly because you only get 3 cast in and your out of the area. Part 2 -- I fish a shield lake , if I use a anchor that digs in or grabs I could spend quite a bit of time unhooking the anchor , what type of anchor might not get stuck in all the rocks, but still slow a 15 ft v-bottom lund down enough to fish a area . thanks a bunch ManitouDan

[jerryb]

Excellent questions!

I do all, well 90% my casting from an anchoring position. I don't have a trolling motor, though I should get one of those,,, for if I ever break down at least I'd have a way back....
Once I have located a spot, and I know that's it a spot! I'll sit on it n wait,,, and at some point the fish will show, it may not always be on my watch but if I've been fishing an area for a day or two and can narrow the time frame down, I anchor up an hour or so before, give or take, and watch things unfold. If you don't have the time frame, or a spot that you have confidence in, then trolling is your best bet until the spot is located.

Anchoring in the wind can be tough, 20-25 mph+, I start out with a 50' rope in shallow areas or a mild wind, I also keep a 100'er in the boat for deep anchoring or stronger winds. A second anchor can also be used. If the wind is too extreme then you'll probably not be able to do a good job of checking the area effectively and then it's time to locate another spot that can be fished.

[Steve @ G & S]

I don't anchor a lot, but I have a 30 lb. Richter anchor and 100' of line.

This anchor holds my 19' glass boat in high winds and is the most snagfree anchor that I've ever owned.

Steve @ G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods. http://www.herefishyfishy.com

[ManitouDan]

thanks for the reply, Steve -- who sells those type of anchors ? thanks ManitouDan

[Bob Babcock]

Two years ago we were fishing the Minoqua PMTT invitational and the wind was blowing so hard the first day my batteries ran out of juice before the day was even over. On one big structure we had eight follows on cranks. I wanted to throw a jerkbait, but at least for me it was too windy to work it. The teams that placed in that tournament were throwing jerks. I don't really know where the winning teams were fishing, but on the main lake point where we found fish we were getting pounded. That night I told my partner we should have anchored and then moved farther down the structure and anchored again. The next day there was no wind and I got one short fish on a reefhawg. I still have never anchored while fishing 'skis, but that one time I wish I had.

[RK]

Hi Dan,
Ever try a drift sock? I usually have one in the boat, and will toss it out to slow down a drift when it's really howling. Tie it on a back cleat, and it also 'anchors' your boat a little so you have a pivot point to work against - keeps you from blowing all over as you try to work a spot. Just be sure to get one with a pull rope to empty it so if you get a fish on that runs you around, you can quickly pull it out of the way. Anchoring on shield lakes can be a pain in the kazoo, and a drift sock doesn't get stuck in the rocks...

Cheers,
RK