Dropped my kayak in at Saluda Shoals tonight and paddled up river. I knew the river was running at around 7?. To me, perfect conditions are when the water is around 3?. I?ve fished / paddled it at 5? and it was still doable, but I knew tonight I?d be pushing my luck.
Fished a few spots on the way with no takers. Got myself up around the island on the right near the first set of rapids, and worked into a slower spot mid river. I tossed out the anchor and as soon as it caught, my kayak started to swing into the faster current and unfortunately dead sideways. I tried to get the anchor trolley up towards the bow so that the nose of the kayak would face the current but it just wasn?t happening, and I was running out of line. Since I have a float on the end of the line, I unclipped it and tossed it overboard so that I didn?t flip. I figured I?d just paddle up again and grab it to get it free. But the darn current was so strong that the float got pulled under and stayed there. Wow. I tried a few times to snag it but clearly it wasn?t coming up and I aborted the mission. I could clearly see it, but there was no way to safely get it. Although losing it stinks, had I not let it go I would have most likely flipped and lost rods, tackle, and who knows what else? Always play it safe.
So? if anyone wants a nice kayak anchor complete with rope, a yellow float and clip, it?s yours for the taking. It?s firmly planted mid-river near the lower end of the island upriver from Saluda Shoals.
Been there, done that, except I did it with a jon boat and ended up swamping the boat and nearly drowning. Doubt I’ll get up there anytime soon but if I see your anchor I’ll retrieve it and send you a pm so you can get it back. FYI, Sce&g is running water all week so it should be safe for a while.
you talking about the first rapids above Metz landing? If so, we paddle up and fish that area often… water levels will be iffy with all the rain, but if I make it up that way and come across it, I’ll let you know.
Always best to play it safe!
1994 Bass Tracker Pontoon
Life’s too short not to fish
Yes, that’s the spot. Up river from Metz landing, and roughly in the middle of the river. On my right was the island.
I live between Charlotte and Rock Hill and only get down there once or twice a month when my son volunteers at the zoo. I doubt it will be there by the time I get back. I just dont want the rope to tangle up someone’s prop.
Just to let you know, I did find and retrieve your anchor Sat morning. I had actually forgotten about it, when my buddy spotted a yellow float, and I went aha, I know what that is.
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know. You’re welcome to keep it as a reward. If you have no use for it, let me know and I will figure a way to get it back from you. But really, if you or a friend can use it, please keep it.
Had the same thing happen to me while fishing in West Ashley under the bridge by Limehouse Landing. I was miraculously able to snag it with a sinker, line, and a spare treble hook. My friend was laughing in disbelief, after all it is like 25ft deep! Since then I have added a large donut style float that slides along my line above the anchor. At the top of my anchor line I have a small “stopper” popping cork that fits through my anchor trolley ring. I can try to post a pic if you are interested in my setup. I think the only way I might lose my anchor now would be to drop it in water that is deeper than my anchor line (50ft).