How to Anchor a Bass Boat

Anchor your bass boat to fish the hot spots.

When you fish for bass, the objective often is to cover as much ground as possible. However, there may be times when you know a largemouth is holed up beneath some lily pads or a stump and you decide to stay and work that one particular spot. It may be necessary to anchor your bass boat to prevent the current or wave action from pushing the boat away from your spot or into the shoreline. By using an anchor, you can position the boat and take the time necessary to fish the spot thoroughly.

Things You'll Need

• Bass boat
• Anchor with attached line

Instructions

1. Locate a spot on the water where you would like to anchor. Take into consideration whether the spot is in a blind spot where other boats may travel. Also consider the depth of the water in the location and whether you have enough line attached to the anchor to reach the bottom.

2. Determine whether there is a dominant current flowing through the spot where you would like to anchor. Waves from passing boats and jet skis also can affect the drift of a boat in much the same way as a current. This is necessary for determining where to drop the anchor so that your drift will not take you past the selected spot.

3. Position the boat slightly up-current of where you want to anchor. Stop all motors and drop the anchor into the water. Allow the anchor to settle to the bottom as the boat drifts so that it can settle without the boat pulling it toward the fishing spot.

4. Make sure the anchor is secure and that it is not drifting or bouncing across the bottom before you begin to fish. If you happen to be standing while the anchor is moving, a sudden jerking motion could result in an injury.

5. When you want to change locations, pull the anchor completely out of the water and into the boat. Move to a new location and repeat the anchoring process.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the knot in the line that connects the rope to the anchor. Also make sure the other end of the line is securely attached to the boat before tossing the anchor into the water.

References

• The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide: Boating Tips