[Capt. Debbie]

How deep do you fish and what will fit in the boat's rope locker?

Probably 3/8" inch three strand nylon line. The one with the little fleck in it is supposed to be better quality. Bigger is wasted strength and space in your boat's anchor locker.

Chain? The more the better and increases holding power DRASTICALLY. Meaning much less scope (and less to carry). Rule of thumb is chain should be 3/4 the length of your boat. (see Seamanship Secrets by J. Jamieson). With that much chain the amount of rode needed for your depth is less with scopes of only 3 or 4:1 instead of 7 or more. Allow don't free fall drop. The chain ALWAYS hits bottom first and pussiboly fouing your anchor preventing it setting in bottom.

Makes sure the shackles are good ones. And safety wire them ... so they don't come apart when you don't want them too. That way they are easier to disconnect when you do- like changing from Danforth to rebar tined grapple hook for wrecks/rocks w/o chain. This avoids using two huge wrenchs to make it near impossible to open and and near impossible change your anchors.

ANother modification putting a breakaway. This is where you main shackle is connected to the anchor's crown. The main line then runs along the shank with a wire tie to orient it crown down to get flukes to bury when pulled. So if it gets hung up the wire tie will break and you can pull the anchor in backwards ( crown towards you) easily.

PM if you have any questions? I teach boat rigging stuff to my students.