Article: How to build a simple drift anchor rig

Done!

-Allen

Z - Wondering if you've had a chance to use that Anchor set up yet?

Have been looking into achoring set-up's and keep getting the big warning of "Never Anchor from your Stern - you will sink!"  Your set-up seems to be a stern anchor, does that caution not apply to Kayaks?  Can you safely anchor from the back of the boat in a current?

I'm looking at this more for Salmon/Sturgeon fishing perspective, it seems like it would be nice to look downstream while anchored, but not if I'm going to sink.

Probably a basic question, that only a newbe would ask, but that's where I am.

Thanks,

-= Scott

Z - Wondering if you've had a chance to use that Anchor set up yet?

Have been looking into achoring set-up's and keep getting the big warning of "Never Anchor from your Stern - you will sink!"  Your set-up seems to be a stern anchor, does that caution not apply to Kayaks?  Can you safely anchor from the back of the boat in a current?

I'm looking at this more for Salmon/Sturgeon fishing perspective, it seems like it would be nice to look downstream while anchored, but not if I'm going to sink.

Probably a basic question, that only a newbe would ask, but that's where I am.

Thanks,

-= Scott

No problem slbrow6. This is why we have the forum here. I think the "Never Anchor from your Stern - you will sink!" saying really applies only to power boats or boats with a large flat transom. Those and kayaks are obviously two very different creatures. I think the closest relative to us drifting is a drift boat. They anchor off the back and have no problems because like us their transom is essentially another bow (in shape). There's been many of us drifting with this set up and I have yet to hear of any problems. I think the best way to keep yourself the safest is to make sure you anchor in a place that's conducive to it.

Z

If you are looking to anchor for salmon/sturgeon in bigger bodies of water, might be worth looking into the sturgeon anchor rig the Portland crew spoke about during the lead up to the Willamette River outing. 

I have an anchor trolly set up for my Hobie, and no anchor for my OK Big Game currently.  I am thinking about swapping them both over to a system like the one detailed here:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=14

I am going to go with a slightly different version that I read about elsewhere on the forum here... instead of the open hook to connect my crab float+anchor line to the kayak, I'm going to go with a carabiner or d-ring.  Then I am going to have a "trolley line" clipped to my rear grab handle on the kayak, a jam cleat close at hand where the trolley line can be attached.  To anchor, I'm going to drop my anchor and let out the appropriate amount of line from my line reel, then clip it off on the reel.  The reel is going to be attached to a crab float, and the crab float to the carabiner.  I'm going to clip the biner to my trolley line, and let it slide so that I face downstream.  If I hook a fish and need to get off anchor in a hurry, all I'll need to do is yank my trolley rope up from the jam cleat, and let the trolley line slip out of the crab float's biner.

To re-anchor or retrieve the anchor, I'm hoping I'll just have to paddle backwards a bit to capture my trolley line, then paddle up to the crab float and re-attach everything.

Wouldn't work in fast moving water for rivers, but I think it should be ok for sturgeon and salmon in Multnomah Channel, the Willamette, etc...

BSteves put together a very useable quick release anchor setup that I copied with only minor changes.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,820.60.html

The extension cord reel was a stroke of genius!  All the other components are pretty much as ThreeWeight describes. 

The only changes I made are:
- A shorter lead from the top of the float.
- I connected the brass clip to the end of the anchor line instead of the end of the float line.  This allows me to lock down the anchor line for storage or transport. 

Note: If you clip your anchor line thru an attached carabiner before reeling up, you get better control and can avoid looping the anchor line off the side of the spool.

I had no problem anchoring from the stern even on the outgoing tide.  Just keep an eye out for debris and keep the quick release within reach.

-Mark-