How do you folks prefer to rig your detachable anchor systems...need input...please...

Thanks in advance...

FJ...out.

What do you mean? How do I attach a float, how do I hook to the anchor, how do I attach the breakaway string? Are you asking about anchoring for salmon or sturgeon in the columbia? The answers differ a bit depending on what your trying to do.

For salmon fishing in the columbia, I use about 200 feet of rope, connected to about 4 feet of chain, connected to a rocking chair style anchor. For the float I use about a 15 inch orange mooring buoy. The buoy is tied in to the rope about 15 feet from the end, then I put a crab pot float right at the end of the rope to make it easier to see and pick up.

If I missed the question feel free to shoot me some mail.

The most important thing is to have a float at the end of your anchor line. The float could be as fancy as commercial net floats or as cheap as empty purex bottles or used volleyball. If you have a heavy anchor or you anchor/fish in conditions like are found right below Bonneville on the Big C, you might want to look at one of the various types of anchor pulling devices such as the one found in the link. Hope this helps. EZmarine

All aluminum E-Z Lift anchor puller(don't skimp on cheap plastic ones)on rope attached to 6 foot of heavy chain. Plastic coated chain is best to save wear and tear on boat. Attach bottom of the chain to bottom of anchor and secure the chain to a breakaway point at the top of the anchor using zip ties or 130 lb. braided Dacron. I always carry at least two anchors, 16 and 35 lb EZ Lift anchors(heavy square tube, rocking horse style with fold down center arm). Use a large bouy. Again don't skimp on bouy size. It can take quite a bit to lift a big anchor, especilly if it gets lodged in a root wad or snag. Last is rope. I carry three. 100 foot, 200 foot and 300 foot. Each in its own nylon laundry bag. Length I use depends on depth and current strength. I splice in 25 feet of floating rope at the tag end of each anchor line. Different colored for different length. Then I attach a float to the end of the tag line. I just run rope through the bow horn and secure in the chalk so the rope can be thrown free on a seonds notice. Always keep a knife handy and tell everyone where it is. Tell everyone to use it if there is EVER a situation where the boat or a person is in trouble. Use it to cut the anchor line.

Wiser is giving good advice. One other thing to remember is to never and I mean NEVER have the anchor line attached to the back of the boat in any way. Boats flip or sink every year due to a line being attached to the back of the boat.

Ramstrong and Wiser are very smart guys. Good input.

Aunty,

You're better off using a 5 gallon bucket or two w/ holes in the bottom for the rear anchor. If someone accidently cut your bow line, you may not get to the rear in time.

Ginrdog, I went to that link. I don't really like bustin' on people for spelling and grammar but that is the most brutal site I have seen. A fourth grader could do better, or an adult that has laid off the pipe for a few hours. Can't believe someone wouldn't ask a friend or hire someone to proof how they plan on representing themselves on the net.

Thanks for the insights on anchoring. I'm learning. Andy

You all have been mucho help...thanks again.

FJ...out

I'd add that coordination in the boat is important so the operator knows where his passengers are and everyone knows what their duties are. Anchoring in the Columbia typically involves using long lengths of line and it is important to keep loose coils under control so that people will not become entangled. Finally, I think that E-Z Lift has a good instructional video which you can watch for free at some of the major marine supply stores.

P Dawg

Looking over that site, I agree. I got the url from a buddy who just bought a new jet and that type of puller. I do most of my time below 205 on the Columbia and don't use a puller. I've seen quite a few boats use them in hog lines, sometimes with very "funny" results.

Below Bonniville, when I am fishing gators, I carry 450' of rope and 8' of heavy chain. I have seen people slip with 300 if they are anchored in heavy current and trying to get the hook to hold in the sand. The rule of thumb for rope length is 7 to 10 times the depth. Even fishing around trojan for fall chinook in 45-50', 300 was sometimes not enough.
Again, never try to pull your anchor by tying on to the stern. A boat went down in the Willamette last weekend trying to free up a stuck anchor by tying on to the stern.
Keep a knife handy for emergencies. An anchor and some rope are no reason to go for a swim.

In tight quarters you can always make a couple pulls to get your anchor up.It might take a little longer but might also be a little safer.
I saw some pretty interesting sights by Trojan a couple weeks ago when people were trying to pull a lot of rope in one pull.
Needless to say,there was a lot of screeming hollering, and gesturing when one boat pulls 2 anchors.