anchor rope length

howdy..rigging up my boat and was wondering how much line to bring?..the more the better?
thanks
tommyD

Not many people anchor up when rockfishing, in fact I can't recall seeing any of us kayak anglers do it.

-Allen

Not many people anchor up when rockfishing, in fact I can't recall seeing any of us kayak anglers do it.

-Allen

Things can go fubar really fast when anchored over a structure with a large wave approaching.

so when do you use your anchor? or do you even have one? if you do how long is the line?
tommyD


sorry for the f..d up poll question..newb

I highly recommend using an anchor while rockfishing if you really enjoy swimming in cold water, have lots of money, and buying new gear is what you live for - and you feel you need lots of practice at self rescue.   

Seriously, Sturgeon fishing etc, inside SF bay or the estuarys is about he only time you will find kayak fishermen using anchors on the salt.

Come down for one of our tournaments and we will be glad to show you the ropes (or lack thereof) of rockfishing

thanks..just registered for gs8

I use 50' in 20' of water for sturgeon. Not a lot of current where I use it. 10lb pyramid anchor.

Maybe a drift sock but that is the closest I come to "anchoring".  Or clip off to kelp.

Bill

To answer your question ... 3X the target anchor depth.

-Allen

To answer your question ... 3X the target anchor depth.

-Allen

Yeah, what he said....  the more chain the better.   Oh wait, that's for a boat.

Bill

     The rule of thumb for proper anchoring is to carry 8x the depth of the deepest water in which you intend to anchor.  The weight of the anchor should normally be 1lb/ft. of length of the boat.  The chain portion of the anchor rode should equal the weight of the anchor and the thickness of the anchor line should be 1/8"/9ft of boat length. As I said this is the normal rule of thumb for sail and power boats.  Some of these guidelines may be impractical for a kayak.  For instance, my kayak is 14'4" in length so according to the guidelines I need 1/4" anchor line. This is good.  At 14'4" my anchor ought to weigh 14.5 lb with another 14.5 lb. of chain for a total weight of 29lbs. and this would be unnecessary and impractical.  There are several anchor types or designs, such as a Danforth, which provide incredible holding power at a fraction of the weight of other types.  However, a Danforth requires 5x-7x scope to water depth to get that holding power.
     My anchor is a 3.5lb grapple type and it provides all the holding power necessary to anchor my kayak in the ocean and lakes I fish.  I anchor in 30' of water maximum and carry 100' of anchor line plus 3' of 1" chain which weighs about the same as the anchor. 7lbs. is practical to handle.  If I'm in deeper water I don't anchor, I use a sea drogue or drift.
     So, you have to decide for yourself what you consider practical for the waters you fish and find what works for you.     

never in the ocean!
in the bay mud a plow with 3' of 1/2" chain and 3x (depth x 1/2 water speed)
in the american or Sac, a 10-14# pyramid and enough line so the boat does not move.


My anchor lines are all 60' or less


never in the ocean

Its not a factor of weight in an anchor as much as it is of design based on the structure you anchor in.  This will be the first time I've heard of an anchor weight vs. Boat length.