Anchors

I'm a newbie - just bought a used OK Scrambler XL a few weeks ago. I've had it out twice and it's a blast. I hope to use it in the Sound to get to beaches that can't be accessed by foot, and also hope to explore the fishing in Lake WA.

I'm a fly fisherman, and though casting from a kayak isn't easy, there are a few places where it might be the only way to cover the water. Does anyone have experience anchoring a kayak? Is it safe to do this in a current? How big of an anchor do you need? What's the best way to rig the anchor?

Lots of questions..... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Tom
 

Welcome Tom B,

I've anchored quite a bit. It's safe in current provided you don't anchor from mid kayak.  A 3# anchor of this type is all  you'll need in most situations.  In faster currents, you may want to go up a pound or 2.



I'm about to rig some anchor setups on some new boats.  I'll post something here in the near future.  It allows you to attached at the ends of the kayak and gives you a quick release if you need it  (use a buoy!).  It's basically a bowline from end of the boat to midship attached with a release clip.  Slide a carabiner attached to anchor rope onto this line.  It will slide to the end of the kayaks when anchored.  It will slide off the line if you release the clip.

-Allen

Tom B,
 I use the same method as POLEPOLE. however I have replaced the fancy molded anchor with a net anchor (bait bag and clip) I found at Englund Marine. I can adjust the weight to what is needed and it stays stashed in the boat till I need it without adding the weight. An extra bait clip allows you to tie off the anchor to any line 1/4" or bigger any where on the boat so you can get the angle you want to fish from. But the clip on line method is not quick release, so it's only good for very slow water.
 Good luck with the anchor and enjoy sitting in one place to fish!!

Hi Tom,Welcome to the sport!!!a great place to go and check out rigging is,www.kayakfishingstuff.com,go search around and you will find pictures etc..to help.....Alan

Thanks to all for the tips. I'll be interested to see Allen's system

Tom

I didn't quite finish my project before the rains started.   But here's a picture of Mooch's setup, which is basically what I was rigging up this weekend.  You see that he is running his attachment with an orange bungie loop and a buoy.  The bow line has a clip center ship.  If you need to get off the anchor fast (like when a big fish takes off) you simply unclip and as you drip away, the loop slips off the line and the buoy marks your anchor spot.

-Allen

And how do you retreive the released line, hanging off your stern? Back up, hard, and snag it with the paddle?

Why not use a a one piece line from bow to stearn with a loop in it and a carbiner attached to that that attaches to the bouy. Even a double ended snap or a horse snap, which releases real easy. That way you don't have a stearn line floating around to get snaged up in if you fish goes on the run. Just a thought. I have been thinking about something like that but with a clam to keep the anochor line a little tighter then just floating around with excess line in the water. That way if you ned to, release the rope from the clam and then the carbiner and away you go. Sounds good.
FC

Pisco, that's the intended way to retrieve the line.  The way I started to make it this weekend had a snap on both ends.  But that would just make the release end sink after releasing.  Then I started to think about another leash.  So ... I was going the have a second line that clipped ahead of the buoy line.  Then I could retrieve the free main line or the buoy line if it's still on the main line.  But that's starting to get to be a lot of leashes/lines running around.  Yes, there's room for improvement on this ... so let's here it!!!

BTW, I went to buy an anchor this weekend as well.  The 3# anchor just looked to small compared to the 6# anchor I have in CA.  So I ended up buying the 5 pound one.

-Allen

Something to point out is that the anchor in the photos that Polepole posted, are not attached properly to the anchor line. The main line should be fixed to the bottom of the anchor, and a light seizing (string) holding the mainline to the top eye of the anchor. If the anchor gets snagged, you want to be able to pull hard, have the top attachment/ seizing break free, so that the anchor line pulls on the bottom of the anchor, and hopefully pulls the anchor free.

If you get the anchor in the photos stuck, you may have to sacrifice it to the sea gods. Not a big deal for the little anchors used on our boats, but on bigger boats that could get pretty darn expensive.

I haven't set up for anchoing in moving water, yet. I've only  anchored in little local lakes, and used a drift chute in the salt. I 've been able to get away with a hard attachment of my anchor line to the bow. To avoid having to crawl to the bow to retreive anchor, or chute, I use a second line with a clip on the end , that clips around the anchor line, and leads back to my seat. Pulling on the second line brings the anchor line back to me. If I wanted to anchor, and have a quick release, I would set up a trolley line, too, but use  more anchor line above my buoy so that I could tie a quick release knot.

POLEPOLE, Do they sell a female version of that anchor? 

Hah!  I assume you're referring to Mooch's balls!!

Another reason why I chose to go up to the 5# anchor after seeing the 3# variety (or in this case, the 3# plus a balls).  The guys down there use anchors when fishing for sturgeon.  The currents can get ripping sometimes.  Not sure I'll hit those currents here in WA, but why have to worry about adding balls when you can just get the 5# anchor.

-Allen

To avoid having to crawl to the bow to retreive anchor, or chute, I use a second line with a clip on the end , that clips around the anchor line, and leads back to my seat. Pulling on the second line brings the anchor line back to me. If I wanted to anchor, and have a quick release, I would set up a trolley line, too, but use  more anchor line above my buoy so that I could tie a quick release knot.

We're thinking alike on the second line.  However, I don't want to have to use it when doing a quick release when on a fish.  Too  many things going on ... Fish on rod, kayak being pulled sideways to current as I'm trying to trolley the anchor back in.  That's why I like a quick release.  Unclip and you your anchor frees and you can concentrate on the fish.

-Allen

Pisco, that's the intended way to retrieve the line.  The way I started to make it this weekend had a snap on both ends.  But that would just make the release end sink after releasing. 

If you kept that Idea but threaded a section of pool noodle on to the line near the clip that would help keep it afloat

The way the quick release works, the loop (or in my case a carabiner) needs to be able to make if over the end of the clip and off the rope in order to release.  A float on the line would impeded this.

-Allen