What are yall using on your anchor rope for shock absorption?
As a bonus, what about a quick release setup?
pictures are always much appreciated as I’m a visual learner ![]()
What are yall using on your anchor rope for shock absorption?
As a bonus, what about a quick release setup?
pictures are always much appreciated as I’m a visual learner ![]()
Not quite the same but I use a bungie dock line used for PWCs to connect to my stake-out pole
The pwc bungee dock line is what I use for the anchor.
A “snap shackle” is what you want as the quick release
Have 2 small kids and thus haven’t used my casting platform in a while. (lots of mold and dirt) I don’t use a shock cord because my boat is so light and small it does not matter. When I need to ditch the anchor I put the tag end in this sailboat cam lock and I can just bend down and quickly free it. Before I had the camlock I just tied a bowlin knot (without pulling the tag all the way through) to the handrail on my platform. When I needed to leave, it was a simple pull of the tag end and the whole thing came un-done
If I am not using my casting platform I just tie a 12” or so loop in the anchor line and throw it over the bow cleat. So its really easy to get it off.
Snap Shackle (Size 3)
For the bungee, just search on Amazon for “Bungee Dock Lines”…lots of options (3-6’ should be fine). My setup was a #12 Sea Claw (no chain), 35’ of 3/8" dock line, 5 foot bungee, crab pot float, quick release shackle. Tie some paracord to the pull pin on the shackle with a small float on it. I like mine long enough for the small float on the paracord to hang off the deck into the cockpit.
I upgraded this setup last year to a seamless dyneema version that incorporates a bungee into it, so that it’s seamless (also light, super strong, and dries fast). They are pricey, but totally worth it in my opinion. I got mine from Capt. Caleb Esparza gulfofmexicoflyfishing@gmail.com. I’m not sure if he still offers these are not.
I have a couple bungees I bought on amazon that I also use for anchoring while camping off the beach. The shorter one I use for anchoring while fishing the longer is for camping. They both cam rigged with carabiners on both ends so not officially a “quick release” but quick enough for my needs. But I’m not using it like a lot are. Just to absorb the shock when anchored or tied off to a buoy.
Great info here. I got my butt kicked a month ago anchored on a rip waiting on some fish. Waves built up and really got the boat rocking.
The bungee is exactly what I was missing, and this quick release clip is what I was trying to find so I can hook up the bow eye instead of deck cleat.
Other thing to throw in the mix that I noticed the guide I fished with recently did is he just had plain shock cord attached to the anchor ball, and just tied it off like it was rope. Looked like rope actually but was stretchy. He would tie a “quick release” knot and just pull it to release the anchor. VERY simple. No fancy attachments or components.
Bobberboy: I just use 3-strand nylon for an anchor rode. It twists and gives some shock absorption. If my boat was larger and heavier, I’d use some sort of bungee. A site called Bungee World(or something close) sells bungee cord big enough to hold your tin boat. You can see a pic of my tin skiff in the Bragging Section, titled Tin Star. My highly modified tin boat. TexasJim
I use a PWC bungee dock line and an orange float ball with my name and cellular number on it, in case I have to leave the anchor to follow a big fish. I run a paracord line from the pull release on the snap shackle to the trolling motor (or the Power Pux if the TM isn’t aboard) so I can release quickly without having to reach down to the bow ring. One thing I’ve found is that a lighter boat will get tossed around more than a heavier boat in waves, and without the shock buffer the lighter boat’s cleats or fittings are actually subjected to sharper shock impacts than the heavier boat by waves.
Mooring snubbers. Indestructible and do a great job.
Did this a week or so ago, killing some time. Started with 100’ 3/8 rope. Cut into 2 25’ sections, 5’ section for float, 45’ish remaining. Left section has thimble that attaches to anchor, ring on other end. Next piece has clip to attach to first (if needed) ring on other end. Last piece is the 45’ish with clip. I doubt I need this much rope but there’s plenty of room in the anchor locker.
I have a similar cam on the bow of my panga without the rope loop on top and so far have really been enjoying it. I do run a bungee and short rope and float I install with a Prusick knot into my anchor main line during tarpon season. The anchor ball rag end and anchor main line both go inside the hatch.
I like this setup way more then my old quick release snap shackle.