Anchor preference?

New to kayaking and looking for an anchor,  mostly lakes but will do salt water once I get the hang of it, what should I look for?

For the lake and slower rivers I use a 3lb claw and the wire reel setup (research it on here).  As far as the ocean I haven't heard of anyone using one out there.  Mostly drift out there.

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I have used something as simple as a 5lb dumbell on paracord for lakes and it works extremely well and is inexpensive, it becomes a crazy tangled mess though so be sure to have something to wind it to/on. I've also used this setup on the willamette near the harbor for sturgeon fishing and it worked just fine as well.

Fairly Recently I have upgraded to a 3lb claw anchor with wire reel setup that Ray describes. It works significantly better at holding me in moving water... With that being said I haven't become comfortable enough to anchor myself in really quick moving water just yet, that will come with more time and experience. In regards to anchoring in the ocean I don't think you will hear of really anyone doing it in a kayak, it's just too risky and unnecessary in nearly all cases.

For the lake and slower rivers I use a 3lb claw and the wire reel setup (research it on here).  As far as the ocean I haven't heard of anyone using one out there.  Mostly drift out there.

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I don't think you hear of anyone using an anchor in the Ocean because those who do tend to not come back to tell of it.

OK, exaggeration, but a very easy way to dump a boat.

I don't anchor often, but when I do it's with a 2.2 lb (1 kg) Lewmar claw anchor. Anchoring in moving/salt water has some significant risks that need to be mitigated. Don't even think about doing it until you have done a lot of homework, have the right gear and lots of practice in safe waters.


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In the 8 years of fishing in the ocean, I have yet to have a reason to ever anchor. 

If you find that you can't drift slow enough over structure while jigging for bottom fish, then you have a few things working against you that anchoring can make worse.  Wind is blowing you, or you are in some heavy current. 

Depending on how strong the wind is, you won't want to anchor to the bottom. Wind waves can jump your gun whale and swamp you.  A simple drift anchor could keep your drift to a crawl.

If the current is ripping, then a drift anchor won't do much to slow you, and you certainly don't want to anchor to the bottom here either.  If you fall out at anytime, you can kiss any chances of getting back into your anchored kayak while you are being pulled away with the current.

If swells are not too wild and you have kelp in the area you are fishing, there is the option of using a Kelp Clip attached to a length of floating line to keep you in place.  The length of line is to give some shock absorption with any passing swells.

I've only been anchoring in relatively shallow water with a drift anchor. It's 10# and overkill for a kayak. I've found some smaller ones I intend to switch to in the 5# range.

If swells are not too wild and you have kelp in the area you are fishing, there is the option of using a Kelp Clip attached to a length of floating line to keep you in place.  The length of line is to give some shock absorption with any passing swells.

I used to tie off to kelp when I used a kayak as a spear fishing and abalone diving platform. Works well. Then again, I didn't need to get a fishing line through the kelp.

I don't anchor often, but when I do ...

Lots of good advice. if you anchor in moving water make sure to have the line go through the  front of kayak so you don't get pulled sideways.  I've had some challenged moments just pulling up a crab pot from deep in the salt when I didn't notice a big way from a ship that passed 10 minutes ago.  Keep your gear secured. In a lake, anything from a brick in a sock to a claw anchor will work, but some kind of rope wind up device, even a board will help keep the deck organized...Make sure you  have a knife.  I know one guy who used a heavy squeeze clamp tied to a bungee to give him some flexibility. 

Ocean... anchor .... baaaad 

I only fish North Idaho lakes and I’m aware that fishing the salt in the Pacific North West is a whole different ball game but this Youtube guy fishes the Cornish coast in England and has some informative fishing videos. Make sure to hear all the warnings in this video. He has some good pointers. This latest is on anchoring at sea.

Since I dive off my yak, I'll sometimes anchor in the salt (in calm conditions). I use a chain anchor on a spool. The chain may drag some, but is more forgiving when you want to up anchor. Drill a hole in the side of the spool to push a loop of anchor line through, then clip the loop with a carabiner to adjust & secure the scope. I also have a float on about 6' of line that clips to the carabiner. Just in case, I prefer using a locking carabiner. I sometimes cleat another line threaded through rings to the aft, then clipped to the float line in case I need a quick release.

I would strongly suggest never anchoring in the open ocean with current &/or wind.

 I use 2 different styles of anchor.
A 9# pyramid and a lighter "snag-less" drift chain.
I only use these in rivers and only deployed from the aft of the boat. The pyramid needs a deployment arm and the drift chain runs down a channel that is part of the hull design on the Coosa. Both have their advantages/drawbacks but to simplify, it comes down to snag-less vs stopping power. I don't use an anchor in the salt. I would feel set up for a boat separation scenario.

I wanted to give you guys a huge "THANK YOU".  Everyone who has responded has participated in saving me from a big accident and even possibly saving my life.  The last couple weeks I have been trying to soak up all the knowledge I am finding on this forum... big task.... can't wait to see some of you guys out on the water!

I posted this a few years ago but this is how I set up a drift anchor from a Trident using a custom made bracket and the well nuts that are made for a rudder. There is a cleat up front for the rope.