Anchor rope ?

[jcstriper1]

Should of asked this question before i brought it but, I got 3/8 inch 300' of anchor rope for inshore sea bass and blackfish. I am new to the anchor seen so was wondering if 3/8 was to thin. Any thoughts guys would be a big help.

Thanks
John

[tjd24]

How big is your boat?

[jcstriper1]

22 foot

[jcstriper1]

just bought a 12 lb anchorman anchor as well

[bulletbob]

Your rope should have 1/8" of rope diameter for every 9' of boat.
You should be fine..... bob

[jcstriper1]

thx Bob

[tjd24]

Line diameter should be OK for your boat.

Do you have a sufficient length of chain?
What depth do you think you'll be fishing?

There are many questions & options.

Take a look at "Selecting an Anchor Rode" on the West Marine website.
It's got lots of good info.

[jcstriper1]

I don't think more that 50-60 ft.
As for chain, on chuck the anchorman website, people didn't use it, they said zip tie rope to top ring of anchor and shackle at the bottom for reverse pull, that way you use less rope. that what it says, I don't know you got me, i always see chain connected to the anchor.

[jcstriper1]

it's a wreck anchor, rolled steel

[Hunter 2]

I don't use chain on my wreck anchor just on my traditional fortress anchor. I would go minimum 10' of chain on a traditional. I have 2 anchors, 1 with 25' chain for rough conditions and 1 with 12' chain for normal conditions. Some people like to sleeve they're wreck anchor line with 10' of old garden hose to prevent chafing on sharp objects on the bottom. Good luck fishing

[jcstriper1]

Hunter, i did see that as well with the garden hose and thanks you to as well

[jcstriper1]

Thanks Guys for your input

[bigal427]

Never used chain on my grapple until one time had something on the wreck cut my 3/8 line and lost the grapple. Now I use a 4' piece of chain and it works fine.

[Capt. Debbie]

Back to original question. The thickest line is NOT the best. A fluke style like Danforth or Fortress have limited holding power depending on ANCHOR SIZE, not boat length. So foolishly buying 3000 lb breaking strength line for an anchor that under the best conditions only gives you 500-600 pounds of holding power is a waste of money. And more importantly even if the line is free IT IS a WASTE OF SPACE in your relatively small anchor locker. Is 300 feet of 3/8" line in that anchor locker better than 150' of 5/8" line? Of course!

The chain helps you keep the shank of the anchor flat to bottom to maximize holding power of the flukes. As was pointed out, the more chain the less scope. Scope is ratio of line out to depth from tip of bow and down. 10:1 or 7:1 are Chapman's suggestions. BUT.... With enough chain you can go with 2 or 3:1. Now how good is that 300 feet of rode in a 120 feet of water? It works!

A great book on rigging a boat by Jamieson's says the chain should be 3/4 the length of your boat. SO a 20 foot should have 15 feet of chain.

With a wreck anchor you are snagging the wreck or trying to get it into a rock pile. Meaning in most cases, the line will run nearly straight up and down from boat to sea bottom. And as was pointed out, the wreck has rub points that will chafe that nylon line. So protect the first 10 feet of wreck anchor.

Lastly if you toss your anchor, make it a slightly controlled decent. I did free fall tuna fishing. The problem is the anchor flutters down and the chain sinks like a rock. meaning the chain hits the bottom first. Some time the chain will foul the flukes so they do not deploy correctly. Meaning you may have to pull that 600 feet of line BACK INTO THE BOAT to untangle the anchor. So.... put a little tension on the outgoing line to slow the decent so anchor lands first and the chain is straight out from it. NOT under it. LOL

Good luck!



Never used chain on my grapple until one time had something on the wreck cut my 3/8 line and lost the grapple. Now I use a 4' piece of chain and it works fine.

[emptypockets10]

Thank you Captain Frank
Always try to tell people about deploying a wreck anchor....
NOT A BATMAN GRAPPLE.................:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: