Hey there my fellow fishing enthusiasts and welcome to my post covering my 3 best kayak anchor systems for fishing. Recently I wrote a post about some tips for kayak fishing and discussed the fact that there is a nice little section on the estuary where we fish that always seems to provide some catching pleasure for us. The trouble is, that with the currents in the area, we tend to spend more time paddling across the hole to drift back over than we do actually fishing. So I took my own advice and went out and bought myself an anchor.
To say I love it is an understatement. I can now paddle to where I want to fish, drop anchor and drift my bait across the hole with the current rather than my whole kayak going as well. So, what type did I buy? Well I will get to that, but my research outlined a number of variants to consider so as usual, I have a few options for you. So grab yourself a nice cold beverage and a snack and let’s see if we can get you setup with a good anchor for your kayak…
My 3 recommended kayak anchor systems
I will review these in more detail below but if you just want to get moving without all the carry on, my 3 are listed here for your convenience:
What are kayak anchors?
I am guessing that this is fairly obvious however as with a boat, a kayak anchor is designed to keep your craft in the one spot. In short, they can provide the following advantages for kayak fishing:
- Allows you to stay over fishing waters without the need to constantly paddle.
- Provide the ability to become stationary in the case of lost items overboard.
- Keep the kayak stationary when not in use if banking or beaching is not possible.
- Allow for slower drifting in stronger currents (drift chute anchors)
Types of kayak anchors
In terms of fishing kayaks, there are three main types that you may be interested in looking at. These are:
1. Folding ‘Claw’ Anchors
These are the traditional type anchors that use foldable ‘claws’ to dig into the bottom of the waterway to stop the vessel from moving. Often referred to as grapnel anchors, these are the most commonly utilized option for a kayak as they can be used in a number of underwater environments such as rock, coral, plants, mud and sand.
These are great for fishing as they are generally able to hold the kayak in the one spot without any worry about drift or the constant need to move.
2. Stake out Pole
As the name suggests, these anchor types consist of a single long pole that is either inserted through one of the draining holes of the kayak or attached to an anchor trolley (see below) and pushed into the bottom to hold it in place. The advantage here is that practically anything can be used here (I have seen a guy use a golf club shaft) however they generally only work in sandy locations with low currents.
They are however a good cheap option if you are only looking to use in a particular area.
3. Drift Chutes
These are the kayak version of a sea anchor used in fishing boats where a canvas parachute is set loose behind the vessel. The bag then fills with water and provides resistance to the current to provide a slow drift. They can also be used in tandem with a more traditional anchor to keep the kayak facing a certain way to allow for easier casting into a smaller hole or under mangroves etc.
What should you be looking for?
Ok, so when it comes to the use of an anchor on a kayak, the main things to consider are:
Location
As with almost everything to do with kayak fishing, location is the main influence on whatever it is that you are trying to achieve. So as you start to look into the type of anchor you would be looking to purchase, the first thing to consider is where you will be using them. Think about:
- Water type – Will you be on a lake, in an estuary or on the open sea? Check the recommended usage locations for any model that you are thinking about.
- Bottom terrain – This is probably an obvious one but some anchors work well for sand but not coral. Check that your chosen option is suitable for the type of water environment that you will anchor in. Water depth can be a factor here as well.
- Current – Estuaries generally are susceptible to tidal currents – if these are strong then a heavier or stronger anchor may be required to work effectively.
- Hazards – Some water locations (especially lakes) contain hazards such as rocks and fallen trees etc. which simply provide for more annoying tangle opportunities. This will affect the way that the anchor is attached to the kayak more than the anchor itself (unless you go for the pole option) but you will need to ensure that it is compatible.
There is more to this but from the point of view of fishing from a kayak, as long as none of the above are too extreme, then you should be ok with most models. At the end of the day, you need something that is lightweight but strong enough to handle the type of waterway you will be anchor in.
Attachment
Luckily for us, unlike most other fishing requirements for a kayak, there is not much more to consider for an anchor. However, there are some other influences to consider in regards to how we attach the anchor to the kayak itself. These include:
- Rope – In most cases, the anchor is attached to the vessel via a long water resistant rope (such as nylon etc.). One end ties to the boat (I use a shackle as my rope has an eyelet at the end) and that other to the anchor itself. The trick here is to make sure that the rope is long enough for the depth of water. I have found a common ratio in my research of 7:1. This means that you will need 7 feet of rope for every foot of water you are going to anchor in.
- Trolley – If you are chasing bigger fish or working in a waterway which is windy or moves around a bit, then an anchor trolley might work better for you. Rope anchors as above attached to either the stern or the bow and must be untied and changed as needed (which is not easy on longer models). A trolley however is a rope or wire driven device that runs down the side of the kayak with the anchor attached to a ring on it. This means that the anchor can be moved easily from the bow to stern (or vice versa) with ease.
What do I use?
Ok, the details of my anchor are as follows:
- Anchor type: Grapnel
- Weight: 3.5lb
- Number of claws/flukes: 4
- Rope length: 40ft
- Good for: Mud, sand, gravel and rock
If I am being honest here, I chose this one as it was the only one in the shop that I went to. I did check that it would work well in sand as that is the main environment that I am working in and that the rope was long enough to handle the water depth there as well. I have since found that the metal loops at the ends of the rope make it so easy to attach via shackles.
I generally tie it to the bow of my kayak so that I am facing forward against the tide and I cast to either side depending on where I am in relation to the hole. The only thing I might change in future is to go to a slightly heavier model as it has struggled in the sand a little when the tidal current gets up.
FAQ
How long should a kayak anchor line be?
This will obviously depend on where you are using it however in most areas, a length of around 40 – 50ft will usually suffice. If the line is too short however you may not be able to effectively catch the bottom and hold the kayak in place.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above, and my own research, I recommend the following options:
1. Complete Grapnel Anchor System
For the price, this first one would work very well in most kayaks being used in lakes, estuaries or even calm ocean settings close to shore. It is a good one for those who are looking to use in a number of settings and heavy enough to handle medium currents as well. Specifications as follows:
- Weight: 3.33 and 5.5 lb options
- Number of claws/flukes: 4
- Rope length: 25ft/50ft
- Good for: Mud, sand, gravel and rock
Other inclusions:
- Flukes fold in for easy storage
- Durable nylon storage case
- Floating buoy attached to rope
Why have I chosen it?
I like this one purely for its versatility and inclusions for the price. It will fit in the dry cavities of most kayaks and great for those fishing in a number of areas. The main anchor is also coated to reduce rust problems in salt water environments.
2. Watercraft 3.5lb Folding Anchor
This next one is good for those looking to use in waterways containing a few more tangling type hazards. It has an abrasion resistant finish and an anchor shackle that makes it easy to attach the line to the fluke or as a breakaway to increase anchor retrieval from water hazards. Its specs include:
- Weight: 3.5lb
- Number of claws/flukes: 4
- Rope length: 40ft
- Good for: Mud, sand, gravel, coral, weed and rock
Other inclusions:
- Flukes fold in for easy storage
- Rot resistant Polyethylene rope
- Floating buoy attached to rope
- Rope thimble that adds protection for the anchor line loop
Why have I chosen it?
I like this for the benefits to those using within more hazardous environments and its ability to attach to the kayak via a number of options. It is also suitable for those heading out a little further into the ocean that the first option listed here.
3. JAWS Grapnel Type Folding Anchor Kit
The third option I have chosen is a little more expensive however for those who venture far and wide in their kayak fishing exploits, it has everything you could possibly need to be successful in both salt and fresh water. Its “intelligent design” is suited to all environments via its ability to grab hold and sink into the ground. Specifications as follows:
- Weight: Under 4lbs
- Number of claws: 4
- Rope length: ‘Bungee’ line stretches 25 – 28ft
- Good for: Mud, sand, gravel, coral, weed and rock
Other inclusions:
- Flukes fold in for easy storage
- Designed & formulated from all leading small anchors using the best qualities & capabilities
- Floating buoy attached to rope
- Easy anchor retrieval-capable system
Why have I chosen it?
This is a great one for those looking for a little quality over price with specifications that make it a very versatile option for most conditions and needs in both inland and ocean settings.
|
|
|
|
|
Primary Rating:
4.5
|
Primary Rating:
4.5
|
Primary Rating:
4.0
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Accessories
As mentioned earlier, for those who are looking for a little more versatility for their anchors, there are a few attachment options as well. For those looking to install a trolley etc., I have included some options below:
Conclusion
And there it is – my 3 best anchors for kayaks. I hope it has been helpful and as usual, please let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time
Have fun
Paul
Note: If you make a purchase from this page, there is a very good chance that I make a commission from it – these commissions do not increase your sale price.
This is an awesome kayak fishing accessory that must have when fishing on moving water. Adding this anchor trolley made it even better.
Hey Zoe, yes they can certainly help in fast waters for sure
Thanks for stopping by
Paul