esfishdoc
Well-known member
Karen and I went out of Cape Charles this afternoon for a bit of spade fishing. As usual, the wind and wave predictions were all off and there was a nice South wind at about 15 and building instead of the predicted 5 to 10. But, I’ve fished Plantation Light enough to know how in just about any condition.
I anchored and drifted toward the rock pile and got the stern in about 18 feet of water. I kept the engine running in case of the anchor pulling or slipping.
We caught a dink of a spade right away and I was hopeful as I was marking them at 10 feet. I had four lines out and was getting nibbles but no other hookups.
In about 30 minutes the winds and the waves were kicking and 10 minutes later I decided it was only going to get worse. The rollers were approaching 3 feet and crashing on the structure.
I was motoring slowly taking up rode (with the push of a button… strenuous work I know..) when I saw the chain coming up. As the splice came up over the roller I thought, “that splice looks like it needs some work” and as the thought finished, so did the splice. The chain and anchor made a free fall for the bottom while the rode disappeared into the anchor locker.
I hate to think of what would have happened if it had given up when I was distracted or with a 3 foot roller heading toward the rocks. It would have been a sad and painful story to tell.
I’m off till Sunday and need to get out cobia fishing Wednesday so tomorrow I’ll make a trip to Va. Beach/Norfolk to get new chain and rode. I’ll use the old rode for a spare anchor. I might use my old danforth anchor and try dredging up the Delta. It should stay put on the bottom. (fortunately no one saw me loose it!)
A couple of questions: what size chain do I need to run through the Lewmar windlass?… I never measured the chain. I think it is 1/4" chain and 1/2 inch rode.
Is it hard to splice rode to chain or should I stick with pre-fab equipment?
Well..... considering what might have happened if I had stayed another 10 or 15 minutes.... I guess it is a small price to pay.
You can be sure I'll be checking that splice more closely! During the last couple of weeks I've spend many hours anchored up drum fishing and now cobia fishing.....in some rough waters some days.
Be Safe!
Richard
I anchored and drifted toward the rock pile and got the stern in about 18 feet of water. I kept the engine running in case of the anchor pulling or slipping.
We caught a dink of a spade right away and I was hopeful as I was marking them at 10 feet. I had four lines out and was getting nibbles but no other hookups.
In about 30 minutes the winds and the waves were kicking and 10 minutes later I decided it was only going to get worse. The rollers were approaching 3 feet and crashing on the structure.
I was motoring slowly taking up rode (with the push of a button… strenuous work I know..) when I saw the chain coming up. As the splice came up over the roller I thought, “that splice looks like it needs some work” and as the thought finished, so did the splice. The chain and anchor made a free fall for the bottom while the rode disappeared into the anchor locker.
I hate to think of what would have happened if it had given up when I was distracted or with a 3 foot roller heading toward the rocks. It would have been a sad and painful story to tell.
I’m off till Sunday and need to get out cobia fishing Wednesday so tomorrow I’ll make a trip to Va. Beach/Norfolk to get new chain and rode. I’ll use the old rode for a spare anchor. I might use my old danforth anchor and try dredging up the Delta. It should stay put on the bottom. (fortunately no one saw me loose it!)
A couple of questions: what size chain do I need to run through the Lewmar windlass?… I never measured the chain. I think it is 1/4" chain and 1/2 inch rode.
Is it hard to splice rode to chain or should I stick with pre-fab equipment?
Well..... considering what might have happened if I had stayed another 10 or 15 minutes.... I guess it is a small price to pay.
You can be sure I'll be checking that splice more closely! During the last couple of weeks I've spend many hours anchored up drum fishing and now cobia fishing.....in some rough waters some days.
Be Safe!
Richard
