Any tips on using anchors safely in currents?

My last trip out was the first time I used an anchor.Conditions were a bit too choppy for safe use at first but leveled out as the morning progressed.I would love to hear any tips as to rope length,anchor types for different bottoms,etc.

sea, lake or river?

One key safety tip is to always keep a sharp knife within reach, just in case you need to quickly cut the anchor line to save you and your submerging/sinking kayak.
I keep my Wenoka  squeeze lock, blunt end knife attached to my PFD for instant-emergency use  http://www.amazon.com/Aqualung-Squeeze-Lock-Knife-Blunt/dp/B00MF448BG
There are other quality knifes out there, but I really like this one with the blunt end so I don't stab myself.....just my "old guy rule" since I am not as steady as I used to be. 

Never tie off your anchor system to your kayak.  Use a wedge cleat or slip rope under some bungee.

Also make sure the tag end of your rope does not have any knots that can snag any part of your kayak upon release.

Here's how I was going to anchor myself. I planned on using weighted crab line hooked to a 15 lb anchor, at the end of the rope I was going to use two big crab pot buoys. I then hook my boat with about 10 or so feet of line to the crab floats. In my head this seems logical and safe. Only one way to find out. If it doesn't work then I go back to the drawing board. I figure with the buoy being stationary, if I tie to it with extra I should be able to go up with waves and tide. If anyone has tried this method  please let me know.

15 lbs seems like overkill to hold a kayak unless your going to be in real strong currents, if so good luck have a buddy just in case cuz if it starts to go under its going to go quick.

15 seems overkill but I don't know. I had one laying here. Well it shouldn't go under with ten feet of play. But I was only going to anchor for halibut. I wasn't going to try it alone either.

What's a good size? 8

Mines a little 3 lbs folding claw I also have a drag chain ,first thing you need to do is clarify exactly what conditions your going to be in wind current tide open ocean( that case leave the anchor in the garage) also exactly what find of bedding is it going to be in sand rock mud mixed debris. No one can give an answer with out enough variables to answer that question, kind of like asking for the best tire tread without saying what kind of car or what time of year or what state your driving in.

15 seems overkill but I don't know. I had one laying here. Well it shouldn't go under with ten feet of play. But I was only going to anchor for halibut. I wasn't going to try it alone either.

5-8lbs is good, however I would not anchor up for halibut. Neither Puget Sound or the ocean is a place you want to drop an anchor. Swell, currents, and wind will make it very unsafe.

I agree with Noah.

Do not anchor in the ocean, the sound or anywhere else where there are swells or currents faster than a couple of mph. It just doesn't work and it is dangerous.

Copy.Curious about setting up in estuaries for sturgeon and mild current in the sound.What is a good rule for rope length?My thought was to anchor up and let a manageable amount of current carry my presentation on drifts.I am a paddler and it seems locking up with an anchor gets me more time fishing(safety first of course.)instead of paddling (esp. Jigging/mooching).Thanks agaian for the feedback!

Whereas boats need a scope of somewhere between 3:1 and 5:1, kayaks need more like less than 2:1 or maybe 3:1 if the current is strong. So if you're anchoring in ~30 ft plan on using  around 40 to 60 ft. in a moderate current. It's always a good idea to have a lot of extra line though. I think I have around 150 ft of line on my anchor spool. Your line diameter also will play a factor.

15 lbs seems like overkill to hold a kayak unless your going to be in real strong currents, if so good luck have a buddy just in case cuz if it starts to go under its going to go quick.

Been there,  done that,  and that's why I don't like the coosa!

If you google around the net asking about line length, you'll find a lot of the bigger boats saying a 7:1 or 8:1 ratio, and a couple feet of chain attached to the anchor to help hold it down and on its side.  I have had acceptable results in the Sound using a 3-lb folding grapnel and 40-50 ft of line out, in 20 ft of water or thereabouts.  Since I don't have an anchor trolley rigged up, I just put the line against my foot brace and keep it secure by jamming my foot on the pedal.  Works in low/moderate tide currents down here in the Gig Harbor area, but I'd make a real rig if going beyond that.

Jim