Rigging math for anglers who want real numbers
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Anchor Scope

Scope is the ratio of rode length to total height (water depth plus bow height above the water) — too short and you'll drag, especially anchoring up current on a river for walleye.

SCOPE 5:1 – 10:1

The number one reason boats drag anchor isn't a bad anchor — it's not enough rode out for the depth and conditions. Scope ratio accounts for the fact that your anchor line needs to pull at a shallow enough angle to set the anchor into the bottom rather than just yanking it straight up.

Inputs

Rode to Let Out

70
feet of rode/chain
Scope ratio used7:1
Total height (depth + bow)10 ft
All-chain rode can run slightly less scope than rope/chain combos since it lies flatter on the bottom. If you're anchoring two points (common for river walleye fishing bow-and-stern), each line can usually come down a notch in scope since the second anchor is doing some of the work.