Fishing from a boat gives anglers the upper hand when it comes to accessing the best locations. Fishing on boats allows you access to offshore reefs, wrecks, sandbars, rivers, creeks, and more. I have had the opportunity to fish from a boat more often than from land, but now that it comes with dangers. One of the most common dangers is improperly anchoring a vessel. Unquestionably, boaters are killed yearly due to securing the anchor line in the wrong location on the boat. You need to know what the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern.

Why Do You Need To Anchor A Boat When Fishing

There are many ways to catch fish and that includes trolling, drifting, and anchoring. Therefore, you do not need to anchor the vessel in all situations when fishing. 

Anglers choose to anchor vessels when the boat is required to be in a precise position. For example, the vessel can be positioned directly over a reef. Anchoring is advantageous because it allows you to hone in on a particular area and target what lies below. However, keep in mind that inshore anglers also anchor when casting for fish along the shoreline or dropping baits to structures below. 

Comparatively, anglers drifting may also target reefs, wrecks, shorelines, or other structures; however, the boat is not held in one position. Instead, the vessel drifts freely, which requires the driver to circle back a drift in the same area again. 

Lastly, trolling engages the motor or continuous motion from paddling a kayak or canoe. Lures trail behind the vessel while it remains in motion. The movement causes the lures to appear lifelike, resulting in fish chasing and striking the baits. 

Danger Of Anchoring A Fishing Boat From The Stern

Unquestionably there are a multitude of factors that go into boating and fishing. Two of the elements are weather and navigating among fellow boaters surrounding you. 

It is essential to understand what is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern. A vessel anchored from the stern when fishing presents a perilous situation to passengers and crew onboard. 

Take into consideration the design of the stern compared to the hull. When the boat is in forward motion, the hull breaks through waves and is the most highly elevated above the water’s surface. Conversely, the stern is not designed to deflect water but instead is a squared surface facing significant resistance when driving in reverse. 

Now apply the comparison of the hull versus the stern when anchoring. As waves build due to stiff winds or high boat traffic, the anchor connected to one side of the boat as opposed to the other will fare better. 

Undoubtedly, waves will crash over the vessel’s stern if the anchor line is connected to the back cleats compared to the bow. The inability to cut waves like the bow and minimal distance from the waterline causes a sudden water inundation. For this reason, vessels become unstable and capsize. Unfortunately, unsuspecting passengers are left scrambling for life saving equipment. 

Tides Increase The Risk Of Anchoring A Fishing Boat From The Stern

I have anchored in extremely rough conditions on the Atlantic Ocean and can tell you first hand that tides exacerbate the wave heights. 

Take into consideration the wind blowing in the opposite direction of the tidal flow. Rather than having wind driven seas, the waves crest to extreme heights because of the opposition. Without question, these conditions are possible both inshore and offshore. For this reason, never deploy a stern anchor.

Unfortunately, in 2009 all but one of a group of football players lost their lives while fishing in the Gulf Of Mexico. The tragedy was a direct result of improperly anchoring the vessel. Unfortunately, the anchor became stuck on the seafloor below. As a solution, the anglers connected the anchor line to the stern while powering up the engine in an attempt to pull it free. The combination of high seas, applying power, and attaching the anchor line to the stern caused the boat to capsize. Three of the four passengers died of hypothermia. 

Always Anchor The Boat From The Bow When Fishing

Without question, now you know what is the major danger of anchoring a fishing boat from the stern.  Simply put, always remember the bow’s design versus the stern. The bow is elevated will above the waterline and is designed to cut through waves. Nonetheless, boats still sink when anchored from the bow in extreme wind and waves. Use common sense. If water is pouring over the bow, it’s time to go home and fish another day.