Marking a Spot

[Debro]

Can anyone please help my husband, Barra
I always find a great spot on the sounder but after he throws down the anchor we never drift back onto the spot.

Has someone got a clue as to how to mark the spot by dropping something into the water to indicate the position, without polluting the ocean?

Appreciate you help please.

Debro

[Edmo]

try a small weight attatched to a length of rope with a small ball float ay the end for easy retrieval, choose something small enough as not to spook the fish. This should work ok in shallower river areas etc, i think this is how some divers mark spots when they dont have gps which i assume you havent either. hope this helps a bit Cheers Edmo.

[STUIE63]

another way I have heard of is to our a little bit of olive or canola oil in the water it then gives you a visual mark to anchor relative to you have to be reasonably quick though because of the run in the tide

[Donny Boy]

Can't hit "WPT" twice on the GPS ????

[trueblue]

back when we had a sounder but no gps, we had 2 roll up rope floats with thin cord and a weight.

The 2 floats were different colours.

we would drift over a good show and throw the first float, and then float along a bit further and throw the second

The 2 different colour floats meant that without any land mass to orient yourself, it was easy to redrift down the same line.

the cord needs to be roughly the same depth as the water, ie, water depth plus about 20%. the more extra length on the cord, the further the float is away from the mark, but thats not all that important - what matters is having 2 floats to get the drift line right and you just start a bit further away

[Corry]

You could use something like these:

http://image.basspro.com/images/images2/98000/98427.jpg (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2855668-10419257?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.basspro.com%2Fwebapp %2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet%2FProductDisplay%3Fstore Id%3D10151%26catalogId%3D10001%26langId%3D-1%26partNumber%3D90246%26cm_ven%3DAffiliate%26cm_c at%3DVantage%26cm_pla%3Dfeed%26cm_ite%3DFishing+%3 E+Rainwear+%3E+Zip-In+Liners&cjsku=1275249)
You can easily make something like this:
http://www.bassproradio.com/images/Marker1.jpg

Or something like this:
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:E_jcAeXQY_JI2M:http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f309/RedSkeeter225/three.jpg&t=1

You need something that you can have a sinker on that is heavy enough to rotate the float in the water and feed line out, but once it hits the bottom, the float is shapped as such that the tide will not feed line out.
I've used this type of thing to mark a wreck, then you can set up anchor so you are drifting your baits back onto it. I just use a lure to hook the line with and pull it back into the boat.

Cheers
Corry

[nigelr]

Don't be too hard on him Debro, this is a skill that can take years and years to begin to master. Finding the spot is the only constant factor in an equation that involves wind direction and speed, current direction and speed, tidal influence and depth of water. The greater the value of any of these four variables, the greater the degree of difficulty. Compounded when any of them oppose each other!::)
Do you have a GPS? This can be a MAJOR help!
Bear in mind, you do not necessarily need to have your boat anchored directly on the mark, but rather you need to be anchored in the correct position to have your BAITS end up on the mark!8-)
Plenty of good methods previously mentioned, practise them in shallow water first as it is generally more difficult the deeper the water is.
Cheers.

[Debro]

another way I have heard of is to our a little bit of olive or canola oil in the water it then gives you a visual mark to anchor relative to you have to be reasonably quick though because of the run in the tide

Thanks Stuie, Will give this a try, it is a simple method.
Reading through the other replies it seems as though this is more complicated than I thought.
Better not be so tough on Barra....

Thanks
Debro

[Debro]

Can't hit "WPT" twice on the GPS ????


Hey, What is WPT, please
I do have a GPS, which I mark the spot as we drift over it,
but trouble is after you anchor and drift the current and wind take you to a different place.
The GPS (handheld Garmin ETrex) stops giving compass direction once the boat is not moving (not motoring along), it does tell me the distance away from the spot but where exactly is hard to know.

Anyway, We will try the few methods mentioned and see what happens.

Curious what WPT is though...

Thank you
Debro

[TimiBoy]

Debro,

Buy him a GPS for an early Christmas present! Mark the spot, and when you use the track function, it will show you the angle of drift, so that you can be sure you are anchoring in the right direction, and you'll know when you are on target. Using this method offshore still results in the need to reset the pick several times (sometimes) before getting it right, but it DOES work!

Ah, just read your next post. CHUCK THE HANDHELD!

Cheers,

Tim

[Debro]

Don't be too hard on him Debro, this is a skill that can take years and years to begin to master. Finding the spot is the only constant factor in an equation that involves wind direction and speed, current direction and speed, tidal influence and depth of water. The greater the value of any of these four variables, the greater the degree of difficulty. Compounded when any of them oppose each other!::)
Do you have a GPS? This can be a MAJOR help!
Bear in mind, you do not necessarily need to have your boat anchored directly on the mark, but rather you need to be anchored in the correct position to have your BAITS end up on the mark!8-)
Plenty of good methods previously mentioned, practise them in shallow water first as it is generally more difficult the deeper the water is.
Cheers.

Yeah, I can see it is a complicated issue.
Okay I wont be so hard on Barra.
We do have a GPS which is fantastic for finding the same reef but after anchoring the GPS can only tell me how far from the spot we are and the compass spins not giving the direction (because the boat has to be moving for the compass to read)

Really appreciate all your information,
Will give the methods a try that have been mentioned but I can see it is a skill to be developed perhaps never perfected...

Getting the bait on the spot is definately the answer though...

Many thanks for your help
Debro

[Debro]

Debro,

Buy him a GPS for an early Christmas present! Mark the spot, and when you use the track function, it will show you the angle of drift, so that you can be sure you are anchoring in the right direction, and you'll know when you are on target. Using this method offshore still results in the need to reset the pick several times (sometimes) before getting it right, but it DOES work!

Ah, just read your next post. CHUCK THE HANDHELD!

Cheers,

Tim

My handheld does have a track function, I will learn how to use that feature and see how we go.
I didn't think the tracking would work on the water but now you've given me another challenge....
Will also give the other methods a try too.

I had enough trouble getting Barra to buy ME the handheld... so I'm not chucking it yet... I still catch more fish than him and bigger ones even when he can't get back on the good spot...


Thanks Tim

Debro

[onerabbit]

I had enough trouble getting Barra to buy ME the handheld... so I'm not chucking it yet

No reason why you should either, hand held or ritzy mounted models all work on the same principle, and the same satelites.

Muzz

[Aussie123]

You have a GPS on board so it should be quite easy to work out where to set the anchor.
Once you find the show of fish or the piece of ground that you are wanting to fish you need to stop the boat directly above them and put a new plot mark on the spot.Then you have to drift for atleast 5 minutes while you set up your gear and cut baits ect.
Once you have completed a decent drift put a new plot mark into the GPS.
Now if you put the curser on the first plot mark that will give you the direct line back to the fish.Drive back along that line and go past the first mark atleast 50-100 meters and place a 3rd plot mark.This 3rd mark is your anchor mark or start of your drift mark.If you drift past the mark by a few meters you can adjust your drift start from that 3 mark and adding a new plot at the start of the drift until you get it smack on.
Using your GPS properly is what will make the difference for you to hit the fish on the head every time.
If you anchor up and miss the mark by a small amount you can tie off the anchor rope around the bow of the boat a bit further to help swing the boat.Turning the motor will also help to move the boat a small amount if their is any current running.

[Sheik]

Simplest method by far Deb is to buy a can of bright yellow aerosol paint and when you're over the mark on the sounder, put a big X on the bottom of the boat. Works every time and there's no mucking around with drifting and all that complicated stuff that I find so confusing.

[TimiBoy]

I had enough trouble getting Barra to buy ME the handheld... so I'm not chucking it yet

No reason why you should either, hand held or ritzy mounted models all work on the same principle, and the same satelites.

Muzz

Agreed. Once she came back with the fact that it has the track function - I think it's a must to learn to use that one.

Cheers,

Tim

[Debro]

Simplest method by far Deb is to buy a can of bright yellow aerosol paint and when you're over the mark on the sounder, put a big X on the bottom of the boat. Works every time and there's no mucking around with drifting and all that complicated stuff that I find so confusing.


Gee right on.... Never thought of that.
So simple.

Will laugh myself to sleep thinking about our next trip out....

I know a good paint shop that sells bright paints too...

Thanks
Debro & Barra LOL

[Debro]

You have a GPS on board so it should be quite easy to work out where to set the anchor.
Once you find the show of fish or the piece of ground that you are wanting to fish you need to stop the boat directly above them and put a new plot mark on the spot.Then you have to drift for atleast 5 minutes while you set up your gear and cut baits ect.
Once you have completed a decent drift put a new plot mark into the GPS.
Now if you put the curser on the first plot mark that will give you the direct line back to the fish.Drive back along that line and go past the first mark atleast 50-100 meters and place a 3rd plot mark.This 3rd mark is your anchor mark or start of your drift mark.If you drift past the mark by a few meters you can adjust your drift start from that 3 mark and adding a new plot at the start of the drift until you get it smack on.
Using your GPS properly is what will make the difference for you to hit the fish on the head every time.
If you anchor up and miss the mark by a small amount you can tie off the anchor rope around the bow of the boat a bit further to help swing the boat.Turning the motor will also help to move the boat a small amount if their is any current running.

Got it Aussie, You make more sense than putting a big X on the bottom of our boat... Although it gave me a good laugh.
I can really understand what you've said. A Great help, thank you.
So simple when it is explained.
Looking forward to the next trip to put this into practise.
I really appreciate your knowledge, Thank You.

Debro & Barra

[mangomick]

Simplest method by far Deb is to buy a can of bright yellow aerosol paint and when you're over the mark on the sounder, put a big X on the bottom of the boat. Works every time and there's no mucking around with drifting and all that complicated stuff that I find so confusing.

Doesnt work every time... What happens if the bottom of the boat is bright yellow:P

[Platitudinus]

Like all electronics - read the manual all will be revealed!
Then practice in an estuary or river ,where you also have visuals, for an hour or so until it becomes second nature to you BOTH.
Cheers
Plato

[Debro]

Like all electronics - read the manual all will be revealed!
Then practice in an estuary or river ,where you also have visuals, for an hour or so until it becomes second nature to you BOTH.
Cheers
Plato


Thanks Plato,
Read the manual this morning, just heading out on land for a test run.
No good showing Barra (Barry) he's past learning technology.
Appreciate help and advise
Just wish manuals spelt things out a little more to save all the figuring out time.

Let you all know how I go....

Debro (Debby)

[griz066]

Simplest method by far Deb is to buy a can of bright yellow aerosol paint and when you're over the mark on the sounder, put a big X on the bottom of the boat. Works every time and there's no mucking around with drifting and all that complicated stuff that I find so confusing.

I think a tin of striped paint would be better than yellow;D;D

[Defore]

Simplest method by far Deb is to buy a can of bright yellow aerosol paint and when you're over the mark on the sounder, put a big X on the bottom of the boat. Works every time and there's no mucking around with drifting and all that complicated stuff that I find so confusing.

I tried it yesterday and it worked great.

The only problem was at home while cleaning the boat out I looked down and saw the mark on the bottom of the boat.

I WAS STILL OVER MY SPOT. :o

So I chucked a lure out and hooked the neighbors cat.

Boy that tabby could put up a good fight. ;D

[TheRealAndy]

My method is to take a visual bearing from a landmark. I look at the sounder then match up the spot with something on the land.

[Sheik]

Doesnt work every time... What happens if the bottom of the boat is bright yellow:P
Way ahead of you mango. That's when I get a can of bright BLUE paint.
Then I spray the bottom of the boat bright blue so the yellow stands out.
Simple really when you think about it...

[Sheik]

I think a tin of striped paint would be better than yellow;D;D
Tried that Griz, but couldn't find my left handed screwdriver to open the tin...
bugger.

[popgun19]

put a piece of newspaper in the water at you spot.

[testlab]

Yellow cross on the bottom of the boat? Using a black marker pen to put a cross on the GPS screen would be more accurate.

.

[tunaticer]

If I sm in water over 40m deep and the currents and winds are opposing a bit, I mark the spot i want to be at with the GPS, stop the boat downcurrent of the mark a bit. create a new waypoint and drop the pick at the same time and feed out enough rope to anchor properly. once the boat has settled on the anchor hit a new waypoint. The angle between the second and third waypoint is nearly exactly the vector you need to be dropping the pick at above the spot x. double the distance between mark 2 and 3 on that vector up-current of spot x is exactly where you drop the pick, feed out the same amount of rope and your spot x will be directly behind the boat where your baits will hit the bottom.

I can not understand why people will move up and back 5 or six times trying to get the boat positioned correctly when you can drop the anchor twice and lift once to be sure you will sit right on your mark. Some guys that do anchor regularly in deep water can get it close a fair bit, but average Joes seldom get it right in two drops.

[rainbowrascal]

Man Not Stupid, He Comes Back Without The Wife To Catch All The Fish !!!

[castlemaine]

If I sm in water over 40m deep and the currents and winds are opposing a bit, I mark the spot i want to be at with the GPS, stop the boat downcurrent of the mark a bit. create a new waypoint and drop the pick at the same time and feed out enough rope to anchor properly. once the boat has settled on the anchor hit a new waypoint. The angle between the second and third waypoint is nearly exactly the vector you need to be dropping the pick at above the spot x. double the distance between mark 2 and 3 on that vector up-current of spot x is exactly where you drop the pick, feed out the same amount of rope and your spot x will be directly behind the boat where your baits will hit the bottom.

I can not understand why people will move up and back 5 or six times trying to get the boat positioned correctly when you can drop the anchor twice and lift once to be sure you will sit right on your mark. Some guys that do anchor regularly in deep water can get it close a fair bit, but average Joes seldom get it right in two drops.

Similarily and I won't take credit for this idea but ... your on Spot X take a mark, record your drift on your compass, go up ahead over the mark on the same compass bearing above Spot X and anchor up. Cheers8-) With new technology, I reckon (IMHO) we dumb-down landmarks and compasses.

[Debro]

put a piece of newspaper in the water at you spot.

Great idea. Thank You.

That is simple enough for husband to do,
while I work the GPS and see who gets closest,
another contest on the water between husband and wife...

Thanks again

Debro

[Debro]

If I sm in water over 40m deep and the currents and winds are opposing a bit, I mark the spot i want to be at with the GPS, stop the boat downcurrent of the mark a bit. create a new waypoint and drop the pick at the same time and feed out enough rope to anchor properly. once the boat has settled on the anchor hit a new waypoint. The angle between the second and third waypoint is nearly exactly the vector you need to be dropping the pick at above the spot x. double the distance between mark 2 and 3 on that vector up-current of spot x is exactly where you drop the pick, feed out the same amount of rope and your spot x will be directly behind the boat where your baits will hit the bottom.

I can not understand why people will move up and back 5 or six times trying to get the boat positioned correctly when you can drop the anchor twice and lift once to be sure you will sit right on your mark. Some guys that do anchor regularly in deep water can get it close a fair bit, but average Joes seldom get it right in two drops.

Crikey, you've gone to a lot of trouble explaining this method
Much appreciated

Thank you

Debro

[Debro]

My method is to take a visual bearing from a landmark. I look at the sounder then match up the spot with something on the land.


This is the way Barry did it before GPS and it works pretty good too.
Its times when your watching the sound for reef, you find a terrific spot you would love to fish and then after anchoring the great spot is just not there again (on the sounder)

I've got the GPS worked out and will try the methods described by other Ausfish Members.

Thank you.

Debro

[the gecko]

If your pulling anchor a few times, then youll appreciate a float ball with a slide clip on the rope. It sure saves the old back and hands, and is especially good for anyone with arthritis. Effortless pulling up the anchor.....

cheers
Andrew