[LkyLindy]

I need an answer to an anchor dilemma-I have a 23 striper with a #13 danforth anchor(rated for a 26 ft boat).I have 4ft of chain and about 200 ft of 1/2 inch line on it.Sometimes i cannot get the **** thing to hold!Was Blackfishing off old field point-no wrecks or much structure but a pretty rocky bottom.The current was ripping and I couldn,t get the thing to hold.Tried 4 or 5 times-total frustration.Other guys next to me were using danforths and had no problem-Are there different quality anchors?-does it make a difference?I never had this problem in the past until I recently bought this new anchor-but it was the same setup as the old one(or so it seemed)

 

[SammyFish]

Did you change the weight or length of the chain you are usieng? I had the same problem with one of my boats. Try going with either a couple more feet of chain or a heavier 4' piece. The amount/weight of chain makes all the differene in keeping the anchor laying in the right position.

 

[B.Attitude]

Go to a longer length of chain.8' minimum. With my windless it comes with 15' of chain but I used to use 8' before I got it.
paulie

 

[Captneilf]

Good Morning,

Gosh, you guys sure are up early. Must be either just got home from fishing or just leaving to go fishing. Me? Oh yeah, new puppy, english bulldog was yelping to let me know it was time for a morning tour of the back yard.

Yes, I would go with an 8" heavy chain.

Those currents at Cranes Neck and especially Old Field can be fierce. You might have to keep some forward motion on the boat tii the avchor hits bottom.

Capt Neil

 

[MakoMatt]

Ikylindy, I don't think you said anything about the water depth where you were, and I'm not familiar with the area you mentioned. You want the scope of your anchor line to be at least 5-1 mininum, ideally, 8-1. Conditions will dictate how much. Also, your chain appears to be a little short. I would increase that by 8' giving you 12' total. The anchor will lay nicer with more chain. You also mentioned that you have 200' of 1/2" line, you don't need 1/2" line, so if storage is a problem, go down to 3/8" and you will be able to hold more.

Anchors are rated not only for boat size, but wind conditions as well. You mentioned that the current was ripping which will have the same effect as wind on an anchor. If the wind happens to be blowing in the same direction as the current you add those to numbers together, you never mentioned what those numbers, mph, were. There is much published information on this subject, but a starting point for you to see this relationship with Danforth Anchors is - www.rule-industries.com/anchor.htm

Tight lines

 

[spygull]

anchor problems

Danforth style anchors are very difficult to get to dig on a hard bottom. They are the best when they do take hold but you need a lot of scope. Go over to sea spike marine in Pt. Jeff station and get one of their yachting style anchors. The kind you see on the flags. the cross bar folds so it will stow flat. Thats the only kind I use for hooking up when I am fishing. They dig instantly and only need a two or three to one scope to hold.

 

[togmaster]

Never TOO MUCH!

The Anchor you have is fine yes it is tough to stick a Dan forth into a rocky area but with the right amount of chain and scope it will work. Get 5/16" chain at a min of 10 ft. I go 15ft. myself. The chain is the key to an anchor holding once it is set. The weight and length of the chain absorbs the up and down motion from the waves which causes the anchors to pull. By having a longer chain the chain will stop this from happening. Another key point when working with a long chain is never let the anchor free fall on the way down always hold light tension on the rope till it hits bottom. Why? Because the chain is most likely heavier then your anchor. If you let the anchor free fall this will cause the anchor to wrap around the chain being the chain will fall first. This will cause a fouled anchor. So put all this together and you?ll do fine.

 

[LkyLindy]

Chain gang

Guys-

Thanks so much-I'm off to terminal tackle to increase that chain etc.-Weather doesn't look that bad yet-maybe I can sneak out for tog