Anchoring - X marks the Spot

"X" marks the Spot

Precision positional anchoring involves 3 parts, of which, reaching the GPS Plot or marker is one, lining up the boat with the wind and waves in mind is the second, and anchoring and positioning the boat relative to the GPS Plot is the third part.

The object of this lesson is not to place the anchor over X, where X is the GPS Plot (a potential Lump, Bump, Ledge or Large Rock), but to determine where the boat will end up relative to the anchor, the proper scope for the depth and weather conditions, the wind and the waves, and more importantly the fish.

Firstly, just before you pass over a spot that coincides with the GPS Plot, determine the depth of water you are in so as to identify how much line you will need for your buoy and weight. Then, once over X, just drop a buoy with line and weight attached, over the side. Just as effective is a sealed milk bottle attached to a 6 oz sinker.

Next, you need to determine where the fish are around X, so as to position your boat over them. The purpose of the buoy is to give you a frame of reference to work from and position your boat near the fish, while judging the wind, waves and current.

Looking for the fish will involve you idling your boat around X, and this also gives you the opportunity to study your sounder so as to become familiar with the bottom characteristics and features of X.

Once you have established where the fish are, or where they are likely to be, you can now work on anchoring the boat.

As mentioned previously, two main factors have to be taken into account while anchoring, those being the current and wind direction.

Once you have identified the location of fish relative to X, motor up past the fish location, into the waves, at least a far as the water is deep, quadrupled.

For example, if the water is 20 ft deep, motor up current and upwind for 80 ft and let the boat drift, hopefully towards the spot where the fish are, relative to X. If you hit the location, go back and anchor. If you don't, then try again. Persistence pays. Don't forget now that with a buoy marker in the water, it is easier now for you to judge distances over water from a specific point.

Diagram 1 (above) shows the how-to and not-to anchor the boat in a straight line, up-current situation.

Diagram 2 shows the problems associated with anchoring in a current and crosswind. Notice that the correctly positioned boat is up-current of X, so as to allow the berley to drift towards the fish, attracting them hopefully to the boat.

No that you are safely anchored, the next job is to decide on the type of berley trail to set up.

If there is little or no current, a surface berley trail is ideal. Drifting a lightly or unweighted bait down with the particles from a surface berley trail is the ideal way to catch fish. If the current is too strong, very often the berley trail will be going over the fishs' heads.

If there is a significant current, using a weighted berley container such as Berley Bucket down near the bottom is the way to go.

In either case, it is important that the berley is positioned to attract fish to where your bait is, not away from it. Observation is the only way of deciding which method to use.

Once the boat is anchored, the next task is to place your bait in the right place.

It is just about useless to anchor the boat in a position where the current will push your berley trail back towards where the fish are holding, and then to drop your bait under the boat, under the berley trail and away from the fish.

The old advice of using the least amount of weight to drift your bait down to the fish as naturally as possible, is still good advice. Trouble is that 'least amount' can vary from none to a tonne.

The idea of berleying is to attract and tease the fish into the vicinity of your bait. Over-berleying will cause the fish to hang back at the limit of the berley stream, providing them with a well nourished meal without ever coming within range of your bait.

Fish have an extremely keen sense of smell, and it is the smell of the juices and oil from your berley that first alerts the fish to a potential free appetizer, where your bait is the main course !

Once the berley is in the water, it's critical to ensure an unbroken trail leading back to your location. Any significant break in the berley trail can cause the fish to lose interest and turn away, often following the pool of berley that attracted them in the first place.