anchoring trouble

[Tman]

I seem to be having trouble getting my anchor to hold. I normally fish lake erie with a sand bottom. I have a 25lb anchor, 19' boat, 20' of chain to the anchor. I have tried to let out double the rope and still I seem to lose grip. Is there a trick to the anchoring thing I am not getting? I am using a Danforth anchor and it is rubber coated.

[trimmer21]

Let out lots more line. The rule I was taught was 6' of line out for every 1' of depth for the Danforth flukes to grip the bottom. Shorten the chain by 10' (makes the anchor lay flat and helps the flukes settle in) and replace it with heavy tangle-free marine rope marked every 6' (1 fathom). That way it's easier to count off.
Also,I might add that keeping a sharp knife handy to cut the rope quickly if you get caught in heavy current and can't quickly release the anchor can keep your boat from swamping. This helps if fishing downstream from Hydro dams that release huge amounts of water without warning.

[Tman]

so in 50' of water I need 300' of rope? That's a lot, what do you store it on?

[trimmer21]

so in 50' of water I need 300' of rope? That's a lot, what do you store it on?

You anchor in 50' of water? Man,that's deep. I doubt marine rope would even hold an anchor with that amount of stress on it. I didn't realize the depth you were at. What would happen if you ever had a snag and waves were coming over the side after the wind kicked up? The anchor would hold you tight and water would fill your boat before you could ever release it. I had that happen with a snagged downrigger ball and managed to cut the cable. It almost dragged us under. I don't know what to tell you,now. Maybe,some of the other more experienced guys can chime in.

[Gunner 38]

so in 50' of water I need 300' of rope? That's a lot, what do you store it on?

Trimmer is ~ correct ! I'd even learned about a 7' ratio (for best holding-power) . --- I always rig my anchors with 200-250' of line . If the water is any deeper than 30-40' I don't even bother to use the anchor .

[Tman]

Sorry 50 was just an easy number. Usually do fish in 35-45' for perch

[rick_iles]

How heavy is your chain? You want good heavy chain on your Danforth, to keep it flat.

[patvetzal]

Are you sure that your anchor is dragging and you are not just swinging on the rope?

[OUTCAST]

Yes heavy chain but only need no more than 5-6ft of it, depth x 3 is all thats needed. 30ft of water I'm 100ft of rope and thats on a 21ft 3300lb glass boat.

[Mosher]

i have 100 feet rope on my one 28 lbs anchor depending on where i am i usually have two one i drop one out the back of the boat let the line out all the way then drop the front then pull the lines so the boat is in the middle of the two, kinda little bit of a pain to do but it works good