Reef anchor problems
After snagging my anchor while fishing the inshore reef systems on Friday night I had to cut the rope. The anchor I had wasn't a reef anchor by any stretch, but never had any problems holding on and always came up, except for Friday night of course. So I went and got myself a reef anchor, a 5 prong 10mm version. And here my problem begins..
Went out Sunday morning targetting the same reefy terrain and for the life of me, I couldn't get the anchor to hold. Was on the water at 5.30 am for an early start and spent more time rooting around with the anchor, pulling and setting it trying to get it to grab, than what I did fishing. While conditions weren't perfect, there was about a 10-12knot ne wind and about a 1.5-2m swell, I didn't think it was rough enough to be causing my anchor to release hold. Also my boat is a 5.5 pacemaker which I didn't think was too heavy for that size anchor but I may be wrong.
Obviously I am going wrong somewhere but have no idea where or why. Can anyone help me out or point me in the right direction please?
sunshine
Posts: 2627
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Key is how much chain you have
And its guage - too short a chain and it will let go every time
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Chain
I put on 2m of 8mm chain. Is that enough?
trymyluck
Posts: 908
Date Joined: 06/05/12
It will one a few possible
It will one a few possible problems, firstly were you anchoring over hard bottom or sand ? A prong anchor will not hold in sand. Secondly did you have a length of chain attached to your anchor ? you need a good length of chain to help the anchor lie correctly, someone on here will have the right length for your boat. The only other possible problem will be that the anchor is too light and the prongs on the anchor will be straightening too easy. Its likely to be one of these issues.
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Was definitely anchoring on
Was definitely anchoring on hard reefy bottom. Couldn't believe my eyes when I found this patch last break :)
As for the anchor itself, I bought the biggest and heaviest one I could find. Do they come larger than a 10mm 5 prong?
sunshine
Posts: 2627
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Two metres definitely isnt enough
There is a formula but a minimum of the length of your boat would be my thought
black gen
Posts: 762
Date Joined: 13/04/11
mate for a 5.5m boat you need
mate for a 5.5m boat you need more chain then that
i have a 5.5m boat and i have about 8m of solid chain on there....can hold bottom in all conditions
Walfootrot
Posts: 1385
Date Joined: 23/07/12
Go for a reef anchor with
Go for a reef anchor with 12mm grappels,Run 8-12m of chain and if the weather and or swell is up, then let out more rope.
Good boats the pacemakers, but heavy and will take more to hold anchor as they will pull more than a new boat of the same sizing.
More drum lines, kill the bloody sharks!
black gen
Posts: 762
Date Joined: 13/04/11
as he said, let out lots of
as he said, let out lots of rope..general rule of thumb is
amount of chain (1.5 - 2x length of boat)
rope (let out twice the depth you are fishing)
Walfootrot
Posts: 1385
Date Joined: 23/07/12
In windy conditions or when
In windy conditions or when the swell is up, I run out 3-5 x depth of rope, so 2x depth is not lots of rope.
But if you had 2-3 x boat lengh of chain of 12mm then you could shorten the rope, but who wants to pull that up?
With my mates boats we still run out 3 x depth and thats all chain no rope, 57, 50 and 48 foot boats.
More drum lines, kill the bloody sharks!
sea-kem
Posts: 15041
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I use my reefy on the sand
I use my reefy on the sand all the time.I have a bout 4m of chain but you need to let out plenty of slack to make the chain bury itself.Depends on weather conditions as well.
Love the West!
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Thanks everyone for your
Thanks everyone for your comments. Sounds like another few metres of chain is the solution to my problems. Cheers :)
Dreamtime
Posts: 658
Date Joined: 21/09/09
should do
should do ya nicely, but ill throw in a hard 2nd for the 3x depth rule, just times your depth by 3 and thats how many metres of rope you should let out. never failed me. and definatly double your chain length
craigb
Posts: 57
Date Joined: 15/08/10
I always use a good length of
I always use a good length of heavy chain..4 meters and thick as possible and golden rule.. use an angle grinder and shorten the chines. This creates less leverage on them so they can't open and makes them stiffer. PS carry a short length of heavy pipe to bend the back into shape after they open..
Cheers
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
That is a top idea mate, I
That is a top idea mate, I will do that for sure. Thanks a heap.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Fill the anchor body with
Fill the anchor body with lead.