Not to hijack the thread, but since you got the answer you were looking for....
I understand the benefits of anchoring, but when I hit Bamfield in August, I'd like to try out some Halibut fishing for the first time.
Would I do ok just drifting? Or are the results a bit better while anchored? I don't have any honey holes so where ever I go I'm shooting in the dark..
It depends on the anchor used and the chain length. The rule I use is that the anchor should be the weight that matches your boat length. Mine is a 22 lb Bruce. the chain should be twice the boat length. If you have to little the set won't hold and you will drift into others(not good). Mine is 50ft. If you have too much and have to pull it up by hand you will regret have too much. The length of rope depends on what depths you will be anchor in. In the winter the halli's are deep so more is required. Also the angle from the bottom to your boat can't exceed the angle of the anchor before it starts to lift free, as anchors are all a bit different. Most like a claw or Bruce but some use a Danforth. So to sum up more rope is better as you can shorten it when you want but will have the length if you want to try deep at 300 plus. The entire length of my system is 600 ft which includes the chain length, so I can figure out the swing radius easily, so I'm fishing exactly where I want to be . Use pythagoras theorem to figure it out.
Pythagorean Theorem will actually really help. It will tell you exactly where to put your anchor if you know exactly where you want to end up if you're anchoring in a group, or close to others.so with a 2kt swell/current going north west and a 12kt wind from the south east, how does that work with pyhag theory? shorter rode, heavy chain, longer tag line will keep you over yer spot better without the math. lol
There is no safe way to anchor for Halibut.
Ya I would have disagree there.....and so would the other 60 boats sitting out here at race with me. One quick release of my bow to stern line and I'm free.....takes 2 seconds
There is no safe way to anchor for Halibut. Two major tragedies in the last few seasons involved professional guides.... one in Winter Harbor and one recently, in Tofino . The pressure to produce for High paying clients out rules better judgement in these cases . Many times they wait too long to pull out when it gets rough . Any formula you like means nothing when you try to retrieve an anchor stuck on the rocks No fish or anchor
is worth risking your life.