Dropping the hook

ANCHORING IS A SkILL that all dinghy anglers need to master. At first glance, it appears straight forward and, provided you are aware of certain possible pitfalls, both dropping anchor and then retrieving it aboard a small angling boat in even a very strong tide is not difficult.

However, if you get it wrong the end result can easily be the rapid sinking of your craft.

There are two main reasons why anglers anchor their boats. Firstly, to accurately position the boat over a mark to fish. Secondly, to secure the vessel in the event of engine failure in order to prevent it from drifting offshore or on to the adjacent shoreline.

The biggest risk when anchoring in a tidal current is ending up with the boat anchored the wrong way around, with its stern or either side facing into the tide. Depending on the design and size of the boat, the strength of the tide