Any thoughts on how to get around this persistent problem?
Seems like for me anyway, especially if I’m fishing alone and I get into it with a big one that I can’t horse, the question isn’t if he’ll hang me up on the anchor line, it’s when.
Advice? How do you guys get around it?
Maybe throw out a drift sock? Mix it up, get a few tangled in that.
Sounds like you need more anchor line out and a little wind or current.
Use your trolling motor for boat control while fighting a larger fish?
How do you guys get around it?
1) I never run two anchors.
2) Beefier gear!
I get into it with a big one
What do you consider to be a ‘big one’?
At the end of the day, as they say, you need to gear up to be able to turn the sized fish you intend to catch.
My gear I can turn a 50# fish from hitting the anchor no problem. They’re also landed within 5 minutes guaranteed, and it is also the size fish, and bigger, that I intend to catch. So for ME I some of the heaviest musky gear.
Some people can’t handle that much fight, so I either downgrade rods for that trip, or I have them leave the rods in the holder and they just do the reeling, and I run the rod from holder to holder as the fish does it’s 50# scurry from one side to the other.
I’m not going to lie, catching 30# fish isn’t much entertainment on my preferred gear. But it is utterly amazing to have the right sized gear for the size fish I’m targeting and being in a short fatiguing battle!
My two cents on the deal.
Big fish big gear.
If it is a sized fish you are trying to catch, you need to have the gear to turn them.
I watch people pull anchor, and my boat catches 3 while they’re dinking with 1 smaller fish, an anchor, and no other lines in the water. They need to up size gear, or deal with the consequences, with sometimes affects the fish too.
I agree with beefier gear to better control the fish might be the best strategy on this.
I’m on the Mississippi. A lot of current, especially these days. I don’t use two anchors. I’d like to though.
What do I consider big? I consider a 40 lb flat to be “big” – at least applicable to what I’m talking about in my original post. My largest flat is 50 lbs. About the same for Sturgeon.
This past weekend I caught a 50″ sturgeon and he did tangle me in the anchor but luckily I was able to untangle and not lose him. After that I did put the screws to him more and toward the end I turned him when he tried to do it again. But he was tired too.
My main gear for Sturgeon is a Shimano 8000, tiger-lite rod, and 40# mono suffix elite. For flats and Sturgeon I use Abu 7000’s with tiger-lites and 30# mono Stren.
Maybe the only answer is to be more aggressive with them. But in my mind, even then there are no guarantees. I lost a flat last year that got tangled up in the anchor line and when I first saw him I swear he was half the length of my 16′ boat.
Ditch the anchor and get an xi5. Hate to be that guy but I haven’t touched an anchor for 2 years. Still keep one in the boat for safety reasons though.
I thought about that targaman.
Do they keep you in the exact same position, or do they vary by one or two feet? (Which is still very good).
I wonder about line control when using one of these – It’s vital to have the boat in the exact same position, if at all possible, so your line stays tight.
I lost a flat last year that got tangled up in the anchor line and when I first saw him I swear he was half the length of my 16′ boat.
Must’ve been Catfish Hunter again…I’m sure. Next time just cut the damn anchor rope! 
915e0ca60516a4ce9ceb1010003276d6.jpg
Dont fight the fish near the anchor.
Don’t use an anchor unless you absolutely have to.
I agree with longer anchor line and beefier tackle. Also fish opsite side of boat of anchor. If possible position boat so the anchor is placed away from where your targeting fish. If your targeting cats or sturgeon I dont think a trolling moter is a viable option.
Ditch the anchor and get an xi5. Hate to be that guy but I haven’t touched an anchor for 2 years. Still keep one in the boat for safety reasons though.
You can also use an Xi5 to go after a large fish if needed.Keeps from getting spooled.Sure beats having to start motor and pull anchor when fishing solo.It is rare that I use an anchor anymore.But still carry 2 if needed.
So you guys saying use the Xi5 to anchor in the current on a river? How big is your battery?
How about using an anchor ball?
So I’m not familiar with tiger lite rods, but just looked them up. Looks like the biggest is only rated for UP TO 5 oz. Which one do you use? M, MH, H?
I’ll bet your casting more weight than that if your catching 40+# flats. I would recommend getting into a rod with up to 8oz rating to solve your problem.
Don’t over think it, your gear is undersized for ‘the big ones’.
How about using an anchor ball?
I have one I’d sell. They are a pia, and I got a nice one. I bought it to pull up my old 30# anchor. It is the same system you’d see offshore.
I use my 80lb xi5 in the river all the time. It’s awesome on batter, I can anchor lock in normal current all day, and still have 70% of my batter left. Heavy current, it’s more like 40-50%, but that’s running it pretty hard.
Using just an anchor in the bow I’ve nvr had a flat tangle it and rarely have sturggies get it. Only the rear anchor when I run 2 anchors can be a problem. Usually I’ll be fishing downstream out the back of the boat.
If ur fishing snags or can tie off I like to use brush clamps instead of an anchor
I would also recommend trying super lines in the #65-80 range. Less stretch and you can really put the breaks on them.
I”m so confused in reading this thread.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m out of touch with trolling motors or there are people that haven’t fished for Flatheads or Sturgeon before trying to help out. Maybe they didn’t notice your post is in the Flat/sturg forum??
IF your talking about getting hung up on a back anchor and your fishing by yourself, go to a large drift sock. I will fish with two anchors IF there’s two people in the boat on a windy day but I try to avoid it if at all possible.
I’ve never pulled (front) anchor for a flat and only once for a sturgeon in 11+ years. She was 69 pounds and my client wasn’t use to fighting sturgeon. She wrapped around the front anchor line four times.
I’ve been told the new trolling motors will work on spot lock for (at least) sturgeon. I haven’t tried it yet…I’m skeptical…but willing to give it a go.
A trolling motor to replace an anchor in woody cover fishing a snag? We’ll see how they work with sturg before I’ll even consider using them flat fishing.
Call me old school, stubborn or anything else, but until I experiance a spot lock trolling motor staying in one spot for 6 hours in current and/or wind there will be a good anchor laying in the bow ready to go.
Andy had some very good points. I’ll add that Sturgeon/Flats should always be played from the back 1/4 of the boat.
Good luck this summer! And don’t be the guy hung up on a snag when your batteries fail (and they will eventually).
Maybe the only answer is to be more aggressive with them. But in my mind, even then there are no guarantees. I lost a flat last year that got tangled up in the anchor line
I can’t say I’ve ever had a flat swim upstream much past the angler. So flats are never a concern tangling in the front anchor line (and I never use a back anchor for flats..no need to).
The drag on my 7000’s are cinched down.
put a float and a heavy clip on the anchor line . When you get a fish on just unsnap the anchor line and drift away . When you are finished with the fist drive back and clip on the anchor rope again .You will be in the same spot as before.
LOL! I’ve seen a couple guys do the above in current. They were using large boat bumpers for floats.
The current takes them under water and the only way to get them out is to snag them just off the bottom.
I did see a fella that had a round ball type float that worked… but again there really isn’t a need to follow the fish unless a person is using too light of gear or too light of line.
For flathead fishing unhooking from the anchor will put a person right into a snag and at midnight, that doesn’t sound like fun to me!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
