How To Properly Anchor Your Boat (While Deep Sea Fishing)
Knowing how to properly anchor a boat is as important to seamanship as knowing how to park a car is to driving. It's a skill that every boater should have. Anchoring is necessary for safety, stability, and deep-sea fishing success. Here are some tips and advice on what is the best way to anchor your boat.
Understanding the Importance of Proper Anchoring
Safety and Stability
When an anchor is properly deployed, it prevents the boat from drifting onto a shoal or out of position due to wind or waves. If the anchor isn't set correctly, it can drag on the bottom and lead to dangerous conditions. Anchoring will keep the boat in a safe and stable position.
Fishing Efficiency
You'll have a more successful deep-sea fishing trip when you know how to anchor a boat! Proper anchoring allows you to drop the anchor and drift over the desired fishing spot as the anchor is set. This allows for better bait presentation from a stable platform and you'll enjoy better catch rates because you hopefully didn't spook the fish.
Choosing the Right Anchor for Deep Sea Fishing
Types of Anchors
- Fluke Anchor: Also called a Danforth anchor; good for sand and mud bottoms; popular with smaller boats
- Plow Anchor: Also called a CQR; good for muddy, sandy, or grassy bottoms; less effective in rocky bottoms
- Claw Anchor: Also called a Bruce or Delta anchor; good in most bottom conditions; works especially well in rocks
- Grapnel Anchor: The traditional anchor with four or more tines; good for rocky bottoms; sets quickly
- Mushroom Anchor: Has a bowl-shaped bottom; good for sandy lake bottoms; less useful for deep-sea fishing
Anchor Size and Weight
It's recommended that you have a boat-to-anchor weight ratio of about 10:1. For example if your boat weighs 1,000 pounds, you should have an anchor that weighs 100 pounds or slightly more. You can also check the boat manufacturer's recommendation for anchor size ratings. Keep in mind that a heavier anchor is better in stormy conditions than on a calm day. If you have enough storage room, consider keeping more than one type of anchor on board for different bottom conditions since you can easily swap out anchors at the end of your anchor rode.
Essential Equipment for Deep Sea Anchoring
Anchor Chain and Rope
The chain and/or rope that attaches to the anchor is called the "rode." The rode can be all chain, which is much heavier, or a section of chain next to the anchor for some added weight that's attached to a nylon rope. The rode should be 4 to 7 times longer than the depth of the water you'll be anchoring in.
Windlass and Anchor Winches
A windlass is a manual tool used to safely lower or raise the anchor from the seabed. A winch is a powered windlass that makes the job easier.
Other Useful Tools
- Anchor buoys
- Rode markers for determining the length
- Chafing gear to protect anchor line
Step-by-Step Guide to Anchoring Your Boat
Preparing to Anchor
The boat should be motionless or drifting slightly astern before anchoring. Check the weather conditions, tides, and currents. Choose an appropriate spot based on water depth, seabed type, and anchor type.
Deploying the Anchor
Go slowly when deploying your anchor. Lower the anchor and play out the rode as the boat either drifts back or you slowly reverse. Take a turn around a cleat with the rode to take pressure off the windlass and allow the anchor to settle on the bottom. Remember that your scope (anchor line length) should be played out 4 to 7 times the depth of the water.
Setting the Anchor
Either let the boat drift backward or reverse slowly to set the anchor. Make a note of any visible landmarks and your boat's position relative to them. If the landmarks move, you're probably drifting and the anchor is not set properly. Increase the RPM while reversing to ensure that the anchor is fully set; if the boat doesn't move, it's set.
Monitoring and Adjusting
If the boat drifts, it means the anchor is not properly set against the seabed. Check the boat's position regularly and make adjustments as necessary. If you're drifting, you may need to pull the anchor and rode up entirely and start over from the beginning from a slightly different spot.
Tips for Handling Challenging Conditions
Strong Currents and High Winds
If you're dealing with strong currents or high winds, you may need to deploy additional anchors or heavier gear to keep the boat stable. One option is to set two anchors with one on each side of the bow (a Bahamian mooring). Another method is to drop a secondary anchor directly off the bow once the first anchor is set or use a tandem anchor attached to the shank of the forward anchor.
Anchoring Over Reefs and Rocky Seabeds
Try to avoid rocky bottoms where the anchor's flukes cannot penetrate. When anchoring in an uneven seabed, an anchor with more prongs gives you a better opportunity to grab the bottom and set it properly. A reef anchor with four or five prongs distributes the weight and makes it much less likely that you will damage a sensitive marine environment.
Retrieving the Anchor Safely
Pulling Up the Anchor
Slowly motor the boat over the anchor while retrieving the anchor line and taking up the slack. Try to pull the anchor straight up to break it free from the bottom. If that doesn't work, motor forward very slowly to dislodge it and pull it up.
Storing the Anchor and Gear
Stow the anchor and lines away in your anchor box until you get back to shore. Keep in mind that salt water after a deep sea fishing trip can prevent the rope from drying properly. Hang the anchor and rope out to dry in a sunny spot when you get back to shore. Check for any wear and tear before storing things away after a fishing trip.
Good Luck with Deep-Sea Fishing and Stay Safe!
Now that you know how to anchor a boat properly in different conditions, you'll want to practice a few times until you get the process down perfectly. Don't forget to browse our boating fixtures and equipment here at Gemlux for all your deep-sea fishing needs. We have everything from outrigger systems to anchor box hinges to keep you outfitted for every occasion.