- The only known adult Orca in the world
- IGFA event April 14th and 15th.. Jose Wejebe event
- Fishing TV show Spanish Fly host Jose Wejebe Killed in a plane cash in Everglades City, Florida April 6th 2012
- Only in Florida
- CCA Florida – Tampa Chapter Announces Twenty-Seventh Banquet, April 22, 2012
- Fly like a bird
- Biscayne Bay Estuary deep dredge threat
- A fish named “Ball Cutters”, yes it is exactly what you think!
- Rod Naming contest, Win 1 piece 12 wt Fly rods or Spinning rods, Deadline March 26th 2012
- Ladies Only fishing tournament in Sunny Florida, March 23rd 2012, Chix n Stix
Wang Anchor Install…Way too Easy
I am always the last kid on the block to get the new toys. Weather it be a phone, video game system, computers, cameras, televisions-you get the idea. Well, this applies to fishing equipment also.
I finally caught up with the ever growing pack, and got my hands on a Wang Anchor system for my center console bay boat. I wish I hadn’t waited so long. Having used the system before, I already knew what it could do, but had I bought one sooner, my back would have thanked me.
The system consists of a stake out pole and mount. It’s that simple. With the system purchase, you receive instructions for installation and the stainless steel screws to mount the bracket to your boat. A bow mount and transom mount system is available; stake out pole length varies from six to ten feet. I went with the 10 footer, as I can also use it as a push pole. Why not?
Installation is a breeze. With the bow or transom mount system costing less than two hundred and fifty dollars; no installation fee will need to be tacked on to that. Like I said, installation is simple, so this makes the Wang a very economical, yet effective addition to just about any vessel.
This write up is not to review the product, as most out there know what it can do- the system and functionality are pretty self explanatory. My write up is to show how easy it is to install. In case some are intimidated to install one, after seeing this, you shouldn’t be.
Before install, you need to take into consideration if the system will come in contact with the wake from your motor creating a bad spray, and also make sure it is not too close to trim tabs or other components on the back of the boat. Keeping the system level, as well as high as possible towards the top of the transom is a pretty good idea too. About a 1/4 inch from the rub rail is where I mounted mine. Another thing to take into consideration, is when mounting the bracket, the area chosen should be fairly thick. Some parts of a boat transom can be thinner than others. Many boat manufacturers keep certain parts of the transom thicker than others, partly to save weight in addition to cost. Just make sure to have a good bit of thickness for the screws to get a good bite. If your install area is very thin and you still wish to install it there, just use through bolts (stainless) and washers. Either way a simple task.
Let’s go ahead and see just how easy installation really is. For the install, all one needs is a drill, and in my case a 7/32 drill bit, screwdriver, marker, level, and some 5200 marine sealant. Besides the system, that’s it.
Required tools and equipment:
The Wang Anchor with drill, screwdriver, drill bit, marker, sealant and level.
First, pick a good location that is out of the way of clutter:
This was my choice, the opposite side of the swim platform.
Next, place the bracket level, in the desired spot, and use the marker to mark a hole for drilling:
Mark the first hole in order to mount the bracket with one screw, creating a template to mark the other holes.
Drill into the fiberglass to start the mounting process:
Be careful while drilling, wear safety goggles and make sure to press firmly on the desired location, not allowing the bit to slip.
After the first hole is drilled, mount the bracket to the hole and HAND tighten the screw, keeping the bracket fairly tight, but still allowing room for movement:
The screws won't thread in extremely easy, but you don't want to use power tools as fiberglass can easily become stripped.
Next, level the loosely mounted bracket and use your marker to mark the remaining holes:
Ready for more holes to be marked.
Marking the remaining holes.
After marking your holes, remove the bracket and drill the rest. With the bracket used as your drilling template, you should have no issues with bracket alignment:
Finishing up with the drill for the day.
Now you are ready to mount the bracket, the job is almost done! Use 5200 marine grade sealant to coat a portion of the screw threads as well as around the bolt holes on the bracket. CAUTION: Use this stuff in moderation. It is PERMANENT, I have heard horror stories of guys trying to remove components with this adhered to it:
Again, use sparingly. Like the teacher said in grade school, "a little dab will do ya".
A little bit is all you need, and this is just for extra protection. The bracket would probably hold perfect without it.
Next, thread in each coated screw by hand and ensure a good fit:
Ready to go...all the screws lined up and the bracket is level.
Tighten the bracket up and you have completed the task, if you want to call it that. You will have to put a little elbow grease into install of the screws without power tools, but it’s not that hard:
Tightening her up.
The final turns.
OK, your done. Insert the stake out pole and check it out. The install is so easy, I would be surprised if it took longer than an hour, unless space issues or other factors get in the way. My install area was free of clutter and clean, which helped out greatly.
Ready for use.
If the weather ever breaks, I will get to use this bad boy, I'm ready!
Marquessa mothership trip on the tortugasfishing.com, First run, Water testing the Canyon Bay 2270 in the Marquessa
Feb 3rd 2010
I just rolled in last night from a trip down in Key West. Our main plan was to fish the Marquessa for some the species that should be showing up there this time of year. Species like Tarpon and Permit. We had a mother ship provided by Tortugasfishing.com which sleep 6 people over in the Marquess. This way we did not have to worry about running back and forth the 20+ miles every day.
I am sorry to report again, that the mother nature had other plans for us.
We had 3 small boats going. The Canyon bay 2270, John’s Caimen, and Phillip’s 17′ Master Angler. The fore cast was calling for not so great weather so we decided to leave John’s boat at the marina and it turned out to be a wise choice.
The cold fronts this year are relentless. It is March and we are hitting lows in the 40′s down in Key West, Fl. Winds for the first day was not bad at 15mph but the next day it was gusting in the 30′s. The water temperature down in Marquessa pretty much everywhere were 65 degrees. If you look at some of the photos everyone is bundle up in the keys. It was cold. We did catch a couple small Bahama size bone fish, a few sharks and snappers but needless to say, the weather made the fishing overall pretty slow.
We cut the trip short, as it wasn’t getting any better. Actually it was getting worst with thunderstorms approaching whipping up the seas even more. We followed the mothership back as it would smooth out the seas a bit for my bay boat and the 17′ Master Angler that made the crossing. I am happy to report with 20-25mph winds none of us took one over the bow. Once we got to the other side, the smaller boats took the Lakes passage back and the mother ship took the ocean side. It was a good thing we did. I was told there were 7′ seas out there, with one smashing over the boat and filling the cock pit.
I will make the trip back once the weather gets warmer. The Marquessa is a magical place and the fishing can be off the chain there. Now if these cold fronts will every stop perhaps the fish will come back out from hiding again.
