Kayak Anchors

[Jimmyz123]

O.K. logic tells me that a Kayak anchor can have its + and -. First thing that comes to mind is it will keep you in one place, but with that what happens if it gets stuck? Being in a Kayak you don't much leverage should it get really stuck on something.

Here's my question

Do you all like or dislike anchors on Kayaks?

[StinkyMatt]

Get a sharp knife.....:D

[Jimmyz123]

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Wouldn't a cement bucket be a better idea? Cost less and probably won't get hung up as easy.

[newguy01]

here what i do on mine i have a umbrella anchor that have a tie points on both end. i tie my line on the the bottom and leave some slack and zipped tied on other end. just in case u get stuck the zipped tie would break off and you can full from the bottom of the anchor. the green circle you tie your line here and the light blue one you use zipped tie. the size of zipped tee defend on what you can break hope this help

[Jimmyz123]

That is a great idea. I have someone who offered me an anchor, I'm not one to usually turn down a gift so, I may have to try this trick.

[steveooo]

FWIW, I bought an anchor when I first got in to this. I quickly realized that there is virtually no situation in which I wish I had an anchor out on the water. There are not too many times that I would like to sit in the same place and fish, or drag an extra 5 lbs around with me, that includes the bays, big water, and fresh.

I do know that anchors are pretty popular on the east coast though, maybe its just a different style of fishing? :confused:

[Fiskadoro]

O.K. logic tells me that a Kayak anchor can have its + and -. First thing that comes to mind is it will keep you in one place, but with that what happens if it gets stuck? Being in a Kayak you don't much leverage should it get really stuck on something. Here's my question Do you all like or dislike anchors on Kayaks?


It depends on the anchor.

Like most I bought once a small anchor with 1/4 inch rope and quickly found it was overkill and almost impossible to free if hung up. I still have the anchor but now I use it for a second anchor on my skiff.

I've since made a small stainless weighted grapple style anchor made of 1/8 stock, that I use on a downrigger like rig I created that uses scotty mount and 100 pound spectra instead of rope. That one holds great but when it gets stuck I can still pull it by straightening the hooks on the grapple.

I don't use it much (mostly for freshwater) but it's quick to deploy and retrieve and works great. Maybe I'll post some pics later.

Bottom line even in the worst wind you do not need a lot of holding power to stop a kayak from drifting, most anchors are overkill, and whatever you use think about how you can get it back up if it get's hung.

Jim

[Fiskadoro]

here what i do on mine i have a umbrella anchor that have a tie points on both end. i tie my line on the the bottom and leave some slack and zipped tied on other end. just in case u get stuck the zipped tie would break off and you can full from the bottom of the anchor.

That is a standard setup this for larger boats, with Bruce and Claw anchors, but instead of zip ties they use stainless wire.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/center-console/bruce.jpg (http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/center-console/bruce.jpg)

Many an anchor has been saved by the above method, especially in rocky areas like the islands.

If your going to use a standard anchor with rope that is definitely the way to do it.

Jim

[Jzo]

FWIW, I bought an anchor when I first got in to this. I quickly realized that there is virtually no situation in which I wish I had an anchor out on the water. There are not too many times that I would like to sit in the same place and fish, or drag an extra 5 lbs around with me, that includes the bays, big water, and fresh.

X2.

[ronbo613]

I use an anchor in rivers when I'm fishing for salmon or steelhead, but I wouldn't use one in the ocean under any circumstances.
I use a cheapo "round" anchor, if there's too much current, it just slowly bounces or drags across the bottom. I wouldn't use any kind of "claw" type anchors. If they get stuck on a submerged tree or log, you lose the anchor or go in after it.

[Jimmyz123]

I have a drift sock, which after last weeks captains meeting, I might pick up a second one if I'm really wanting to stay put where I am. There I do like drifting along because that's like having a trolling motor on the yak. However there are times when the drift is way too fast. Like someone posted they use a round anchor that just bounces on the bottom, I like those as well. I like keeping things simple.

[Fiskadoro]

So here's my little anchor setup, since I wanted to make a new one anyway. I thought I might as well show you a improved version that can be made without welding.

Parts:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7341/anchor1.jpg

So that is a chunk of pipe a galvanized welded ring and two 1/8 stainless rods about twenty inches long.

Construction is simple. Slide the ring on to both rods. Slide the rods down into the tube. Bend the rods out like a grapple.

Here's the completed anchor, along with my little downrigger setup I use for with it. http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2866/anchor3.jpg

Put the scotty in a mount, mini rigger in the scotty and you're in business. I already had made the rigger to use as a downrigger but it makes a good anchor system as well.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5298/anchor4.jpg


The advantages of this are that you can deploy the anchor instantly, get it up and out of the way fast, and freespool out more scope if you need to move (like your hung up) but do not want to loose your anchor set.

I've used the setup at Castiac for fishing bait. Just drop it down and it hooks in the rocks but when you need to pull it the rods bend out to an extent and it easily comes free. It will work fine with just pipe but I pour lead into mine, which adds maybe six ounces. The whole thing maybe weighs 12 ounces. More then enough to hold me in wind but easy to deploy, use, and retrieve.

The anchor mini grapple itself is so inexpensive and easy to make I sometimes carry them with me even when I do not have the rigger, as I can just tie it to a thirty or forty pound outfit and use it in a pinch. Cast it out, let it hang up, put the rod in the holder and tighten the drag and your anchored, when you want to go pull hard and the tines straighten out. It's just that simple.

Works for me.


Jim

[Jimmyz123]

That is really cool. It will hold you and if stuck allow you to pull it free. Very good creation

[StinkyMatt]

Jim's "anchor" reel is better than my best fishing reel! :D:D:D

[BT]

Nice set up Jim. I may have to ditch my anchor and copy your set up. I am not a huge LJ fisher (I am not a morning person at all) and most of my fishing is during lobster season. I carry an anchor with me while I am hooping because if I want to take a break or shoot the breeze with another yakker while we are waiting to pull another set.

I always check my FF to see what the bottom looks like before I drop it, but I have had a time or two where it hung up and it took me a bit to free it.


Just my .02! I am gonna try making that smaller rig like Jim's. Any weight off my yak while I am hooping is a good idea!

[Jimmyz123]

Jim's "anchor" reel is better than my best fishing reel! :D:D:D

Mine too.

[ronbo613]

I have a drift sockThose don't work that well around here; 35-50mph wind is common, that's a lot of drifting.

[Fiskadoro]

Jim's "anchor" reel is better than my best fishing reel! :D:D:D


LOL... Actually it's pretty cheezy: an old Kencor levelwind. You can get these reels for about ten bucks on ebay. The good part is they are all stainless so they have zero corrosion issues, and have strong gears, but the sideplate plastic is brittle, and the drag is tiny and actually made with a leather drag washer. They work well for what I use them for, but I wouldn't want to fish them for anything other then maybe rockfish.

Jim

[805gregg]

So here's my little anchor setup, since I wanted to make a new one anyway. I thought I might as well show you a improved version that can be made without welding.

Parts:
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7341/anchor1.jpg

So that is a chunk of pipe a galvanized welded ring and two 1/8 stainless rods about twenty inches long.

Construction is simple. Slide the ring on to both rods. Slide the rods down into the tube. Bend the rods out like a grapple.

Here's the completed anchor, along with my little downrigger setup I use for with it. http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2866/anchor3.jpg

Put the scotty in a mount, mini rigger in the scotty and you're in business. I already had made the rigger to use as a downrigger but it makes a good anchor system as well.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/5298/anchor4.jpg


The advantages of this are that you can deploy the anchor instantly, get it up and out of the way fast, and freespool out more scope if you need to move (like your hung up) but do not want to loose your anchor set.

I've used the setup at Castiac for fishing bait. Just drop it down and it hooks in the rocks but when you need to pull it the rods bend out to an extent and it easily comes free. It will work fine with just pipe but I pour lead into mine, which adds maybe six ounces. The whole thing maybe weighs 12 ounces. More then enough to hold me in wind but easy to deploy, use, and retrieve.

The anchor mini grapple itself is so inexpensive and easy to make I sometimes carry them with me even when I do not have the rigger, as I can just tie it to a thirty or forty pound outfit and use it in a pinch. Cast it out, let it hang up, put the rod in the holder and tighten the drag and your anchored, when you want to go pull hard and the tines straighten out. It's just that simple.

Works for me.


Jim

Have you ever used that to hold you in place? It looks a little flimsy to me. I use a folding Grapnel anchor on my small boats, kayak and inflatable. A 1.5 lb is $12 at WM, takes up little space and weighs, you guessed it 1.5 lb. I could see the need of and good anchor in an emergency, in case of a big fish, injury or gear failure near large breaking waves, or other unseen occasion.

[Fiskadoro]

Have you ever used that to hold you in place? It looks a little flimsy to me. I use a folding Grapnel anchor on my small boats, kayak and inflatable. A 1.5 lb is $12 at WM, takes up little space and weighs, you guessed it 1.5 lb. I could see the need of and good anchor in an emergency, in case of a big fish, injury or gear failure near large breaking waves, or other unseen occasion.

Honestly I find this post hilarious on so many levels. You not only missed the proverbial boat, but missed the whole ocean. :cheers1:

[Fiskadoro]

Have you ever used that to hold you in place? It looks a little flimsy to me. I use a folding Grapnel anchor on my small boats, kayak and inflatable. A 1.5 lb is $12 at WM, takes up little space and weighs, you guessed it 1.5 lb. I could see the need of and good anchor in an emergency, in case of a big fish, injury or gear failure near large breaking waves, or other unseen occasion.

I know I already commented on this but I wanted to come back when I had time to actually say something.

First take a look at this picture.
http://www.allcoastsportfishing.com/photos/data/500/100150ownerstinger.jpg

Now those things in case you do not know it are not anchors. They are Irons, lures. Have you ever used one or hung one up and seen how they can hold you in place when fishing a kayak?

Those little hooks (even though they are not very big) when attached to something solid on the bottom are more then enough to keep a kayak from drifting in most conditions.

Now does that mean that you should attach ten feet of chain, and a hundred feet of 1/2 inch anchor rode to one of those jigs and deploy it to save your boat in the case of an emergency, injury, or gear failure near large breaking waves, or other unseen occasion? Of course not! That would just be stupid.

My little anchor just like those Irons is not a storm anchor, it's not for boats, it's not for boating emergencies, it's not heavy ground tackle that should be used with chain an rode, to protect you from drifting in a anchorage in high winds and breaking seas.

It's just just a fishing tool. Something that will grab the bottom quickly, and hold you in one place in normal fishing conditions.

Yes because it is flimsy by design it's something you can also easily pull it loose when it gets hung in the rocks, the tines will straighten under load and it will come free, and that is something your little 1.5 lb $12 at WM folding Grapnel anchor which is designed for boats can not do.

Have you ever used that 1.5 lb $12 at WM folding Grapnel anchor to hold your kayak in place? It'll grab and hold no doubt, but I quarentee you that if you use it from your kayak around rocks you will eventually hang it up, and then be unable to retrieve it from your kayak because you will not be able to put enough force on it from a kayak to pull it loose.

Then in the words of StinkyMatt: "Get a sharp knife.....:D" ..because quite frankly you are not getting it back.

One more thing rather then depend on secure ground tackle to save you in the case of emergencies involving large breaking waves, or other unforeseen hurricane like difficulties, like you might have to do in a boat, my advice is simply to avoid such conditions by paddling in and getting off the water.

Kayaks are not yachts you don't anchor up and ride out the storms on anchor in a kayak.

Jim

[Jimmyz123]

Very well said Jim. All I am mainly looking for is something that will maybe slow my drift down, Drift sock, I have one. I have also spoken to others who will sometimes throw out 2 in some conditions. When the current is moving one way and the wind is moving you a different way you have to use something to present the bait the right way.

I am not ashamed to say I will be using a drift sock, or maybe someday an anchor. I don't think I'll use an anchor in the Ocean, but in the Bay and lakes I may.

[maui jim]

I have never seen a use in a kayak for an anchor, Tidal swings,fast currents and rough swell, good way to swamp yourself... my 2cents paddle or peddal away, Plus more crap to carry, clean, stow, and add to the yard sale items in the surf:cool:

[dorado50]

don't know much about the ocean, but common sense tells me not to anchor a kayak to the pacific ocean floor! Any wind chop,ground swell,current,wind ........a 60# pc. of plastic secured to the ocean floor!!??!! good luck with that.:rolleyes:

[Jimmyz123]

Your common sense is correct. I don't see the point in anchoring in the ocean, like you I just don't have a good feeling about that. I can see the points behind everyones posts, that's why I have asked this very question.

[StinkyMatt]

Sure, whatever works for you....if someone wants to anchor up, go ahead, just use some brains. Use whatever anchor you select, each of them has its pros and cons. No ONE answer applies all the time. If you pulled up to LJ with an anchor some may give you a weird look. However I fisheded places in which an anchor made the fishing more enjoyable and more productive. Sitting right below a nice little eddy on the Salt River and casting in the "magic" hole without having to worry about holding position...

Be smart, make sure you can cut yourself loose from an anchor in 2 seconds.

Tight lines. Matt:D

[Jimmyz123]

Sure, whatever works for you....if someone wants to anchor up, go ahead, just use some brains. Use whatever anchor you select, each of them has its pros and cons. No ONE answer applies all the time. If you pulled up to LJ with an anchor some may give you a weird look. However I fisheded places in which an anchor made the fishing more enjoyable and more productive. Sitting right below a nice little eddy on the Salt River and casting in the "magic" hole without having to worry about holding position...

Be smart, make sure you can cut yourself loose from an anchor in 2 seconds.

Tight lines. Matt:D

I have watched many Youtube videos on how people have made quick release tools for anchors. I agree with you 100% about keeping my brains with me.

I'm not a huge fan of anchoring period, but I do see where it can be a good thing if done right and done smart. When I saw your post about keeping a sharp knife with me, it answered a lot of questions.

Believe me my life is way more important than a stupid little anchor.

[cowboybill]

I have used anchor in the bay, nice for working one area...To remove, I have ocasionally had to paddle updrift to pull out.

Also, side benefit, one night the wife and I were down watching the fireworks, and all these people around us were drifting around and had to concentrate on paddling in place...I just dropped anchor and we enjoyed the show!

I dont think I would use one in the ocean unless it was very calm.

My 2 cents

[Jimmyz123]

I just think in the Ocean there's way too much that can happen in a split second that could be very bad if you are anchored. It's that old Murphy's law thing.