Anchoring below locks?

[BurleyDog]

I started sauger, walleye, drum fishing below locks on the Kentucky river this past year. I enjoy it although its not always the most productive fishing.

Any tips, suggestions, advice for a young fella new to this type of fishing in terms of boat safety?

Also how do you guys normally anchor while fishing below dams? Where do you normally anchor? Are you fishing the walls?

Thanks!

[FlyLie]

I started sauger, walleye, drum fishing below locks on the Kentucky river this past year. I enjoy it although its not always the most productive fishing.

Any tips, suggestions, advice for a young fella new to this type of fishing in terms of boat safety?

Also how do you guys normally anchor while fishing below dams? Where do you normally anchor? Are you fishing the walls?

Thanks!

YES, DON'T PUT OUT AN ANCHOR BELOW any DAM LOCK OR GATE. IF YOU DO, BE SURE IT IS TIED TO THE BOW OF THE BOAT, NOT TO A RAIL CLEAT AND have a knife at hand to cut the rope WHEN YOU GET IN TROUBLE....The current can pull the bow if your boat under water.......Be Safe

[kygorski]

not a good idea, but if you must use a concrete block, and have your knife VEERY handy.

[BurleyDog]

So how do people fish these areas? Do they run their motors or trolling motors to keep them in place???

Where are the best spots to fish below these locks? up close?

Thanks - I don't have any 'older, wiser' fishermen in my family so I have to learn from you guys!

BurleyDog

[riverrat12]

So how do people fish these areas? Do they run their motors or trolling motors to keep them in place???

Where are the best spots to fish below these locks? up close?

Thanks - I don't have any 'older, wiser' fishermen in my family so I have to learn from you guys!

BurleyDog

I do alot of drift fishing....it can be very productive below dams. I find seam water or foam lines and try to stay in them. Be careful on the edges were this water is found for one side pushes you away and the other draws you in. If you anchor in these areas you will spin without two anchors, and like said before keep a sharp knife handy. If fishing locks, know were the discharge is at and try to stay away from them as well as the barge or boat lanes for entry and exit. A dependable motor is a nessesity, use common sense and if you are uncomfortable with the area you are in, get out.... Be safe and be wery of any sirens or whistles. I don't know what L&D you are fishing but all have there dangerous areas...Good luck. Chuck

[FlyLie]

So how do people fish these areas? Do they run their motors or trolling motors to keep them in place???

Where are the best spots to fish below these locks? up close?

Thanks - I don't have any 'older, wiser' fishermen in my family so I have to learn from you guys!

BurleyDog

I don't fish that area of the state, but suggest you try an hook up with an experienced angler that does. Post an invitation or interest in an open seat for RIVER FISHING on the board (offer to pay gas and provide meals). Never know what response you might get.

[Lowerider]

I'm one of the few that does it. I'll motor as close to the red line as possible and throw anchor in the middle of the hydros. You need your anchor to catch because no reasonable amount of weight will hold you alone. I then tie 2 cheapo life jackets to the end of the anchor line because when you stick a pig it's impossible to get him to the boat in that current so I'll release the line and chase em down. I'll fish current where up to 24 oz of weight is needed to keep bait down. I never attempt this by myself.

I've seen enough money won in tournaments over the years by guys doing this that I decided to myself and it's yielded some of my heaviest one day baskets ever. Your arms will beg for forgiveness if you hook a 50+ in that kind of current.

I never tie the anchor line to the boat - I use anchor cleats and still keep a knife handy.

The biggest problem and where you can get into the most trouble is retrieving your anchor. You'll have to motor up to bring in the slack line and be able to pop the anchor. If you muck up and get the rope caught in the prop and the anchor doesn't dislodge you're done for. The back of your boat will be submerged before you can blink. If the anchor is really stuck consider it a small loss - I have to sacrifice one about 10% of the time.

I should also mention I have a 23 foot boat with high sides - I probably wouldn't do this in a small boat.

[BurleyDog]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Lowerider thanks for the tip on the lifejackets as I was wondering what to do if I had to release the rope.

I guess my anchoring will depend on discharge at the moment I am fishing. If its light I don't think the anchoring will be a problem.

I like drift fishing but after a while it gets repetitive and I just want to stay in one spot and cast.

Thanks

[Fisherjoe]

I'm one of the few that does it. I'll motor as close to the red line as possible and throw anchor in the middle of the hydros. You need your anchor to catch because no reasonable amount of weight will hold you alone. I then tie 2 cheapo life jackets to the end of the anchor line because when you stick a pig it's impossible to get him to the boat in that current so I'll release the line and chase em down. I'll fish current where up to 24 oz of weight is needed to keep bait down. I never attempt this by myself.

I've seen enough money won in tournaments over the years by guys doing this that I decided to myself and it's yielded some of my heaviest one day baskets ever. Your arms will beg for forgiveness if you hook a 50+ in that kind of current.

I never tie the anchor line to the boat - I use anchor cleats and still keep a knife handy.

The biggest problem and where you can get into the most trouble is retrieving your anchor. You'll have to motor up to bring in the slack line and be able to pop the anchor. If you muck up and get the rope caught in the prop and the anchor doesn't dislodge you're done for. The back of your boat will be submerged before you can blink. If the anchor is really stuck consider it a small loss - I have to sacrifice one about 10% of the time.

I should also mention I have a 23 foot boat with high sides - I probably wouldn't do this in a small boat.

I agree with all Lowerider said. Never go it alone, always wear your PFD, and make sure your knife is very sharp. Instead of PFD's on the anchor line, I attach a couple empty jugs. I have also seen pool noodles threaded onto the anchor line. Just be sure the float will not slip off if you have to cut the rope.

An option to anchoring is to have one person hold the boat in place with the big motor and another cast. When you hook Mr. Big., put the boat in neutral and go the current. Land the fish, switch places and go again. This gives you a little more flexibility and there is no anchor line for the fish to tangle in.

Good luck and be safe.

[jfw]

An ancor mate is good to have and I like a sand anchor....a big one .The hinge on those make it easier. To get it back

YES, DON'T PUT OUT AN ANCHOR BELOW any DAM LOCK OR GATE. IF YOU DO, BE SURE IT IS TIED TO THE BOW OF THE BOAT, NOT TO A RAIL CLEAT AND have a knife at hand to cut the rope WHEN YOU GET IN TROUBLE....The current can pull the bow if your boat under water.......Be Safe

[kygorski]

The one thing you need to look at is how are the other guys fishing. We used to fish the locks and wing dams on the miss. and most guys would drift, and use the trolling motor then some yahoo would come up, anchor and screw up every one else. I quit using anchors on the river, they are expensive, and tyou may get half of them back. A cleat in front of the boat works well.

[riverrat12]

The one thing you need to look at is how are the other guys fishing. We used to fish the locks and wing dams on the miss. and most guys would drift, and use the trolling motor then some yahoo would come up, anchor and screw up every one else. I quit using anchors on the river, they are expensive, and tyou may get half of them back. A cleat in front of the boat works well.

As mentioned before concrete blocks are great and easy to find on the river....gettin them in the boat well, you'll have to ask Mhall about that LOL....had to Mark...Chuck