Sea anchors for fishing?

[gcapehart]

Have any of you tried these while fishing? Groundfishing for halibut, cod, haddock, etc; may be done sometimes to nearly a thousand foot depth. An anchor line for such would be 3-4,000 feet? The sea anchor I refer to can be seen as a parachute type device that drags below the surface turning you into the wind. It seems practical. Any ideas? We're in the Gulf of Maine.

    Thanks,   Gary

[JimCt]

A sea anchor is great for fishing... and should also be considered a critical safety item.  If your engine quits in a seaway your boat will weathercock around so that the stern will be to windward.  A sea anchor attached to the bow at the end of a few fathoms of line will keep her headed into the seas.  I carried a 3' diameter anchor in my 170.  Never needed it in an emergency but used it quite a bit fishing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2ea-Sea-Drifter-Anc ... dZViewItem

[John Jones]

What Jim said.

[gcapehart]

Thanks for the tips. I really am appreciative of your insights. For Father's Day, I'm hoping for a sea anchor. Cooooooooooooooool!

[Tim Bradford]

Thanks for the tips. I really am appreciative of your insights. For Father's Day, I'm hoping for a sea anchor. Cooooooooooooooool!

When fishing windy flats .. I use one frequently (to slow the drift)- Also for all of the reasons Jim mentioned  

[GoneFission]

All of the above.  I've also seen folks use them behind the boat to get a slower trolling speed.  

I think the concensus is that a sea anchor is a good thing...  

[John Jones]

a 5 gal bucket works in a pinch ;)

[JimCt]

A surplus relative works well... and accomplishes two things.

[John Jones]

   :!:  :!: