Another Anchor Option?

I've been trying to think of a good anchor option that will fit my needs.  Have any of you used one of these or something simular?  I think I'd remove the "lock" since it would be out of reach while seated and just use another device for holding the line.

this says it works up to a 20# anchor, way more then I'd be putting on it.  What do you all think?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Anchoring-Docking/Boat-Anchoring%7C/pc/104794380/c/104692680/sc/104188680/Cabelas-Anchor-Lock/737036.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-anchoring-docking-boat-anchoring%2F_%2FN-1100644%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104188680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104794380%253Bcat104692680&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104794380%3Bcat104692680%3Bcat104188680

I use a Stearns zig zag cleat. Cheap, simple, low profile, plastic, two screws. I run the anchor trolley and anchor line through the same cleat. If you anchor in heavy current throw a chunk of half inch of UHMW and some fat fender washers inside the hull.

kykfshr uses the scotty version when drifting coastal rivers.  It works pretty well as long as your anchor isn't too heavy.  You'll want to remove the lock and use a jam cleat, cam cleat or zig zag lock to secure your anchor line. 

Some downsides are that it doesn't hold the anchor far enough away from your yak.  This results in your anchor beating up your hull.  Distribution of the anchor weight is in a very small area.  This can lead to deformation.  There's no way to "Drop off Achor", so you won't want to use this while fishing deeper holes like you find on the Willie or the Columbia.

If you're looking for something for fishing the big rivers, do a search for the bsteves anchor system.  It's a great basic anchoring strategy for most situations.

-Spot-

i hadn't thougth about teh anchor beating the crap out of my Yak..... good point.  I like how the bsteves system lets you remove the entire anchor system from the Yak in just a moment.

I guess I need to relook at what I've got in place.  thanks

I've use the Scotty version of this with the locking cam removed while fishing for steelhead and salmon on coastal rivers. I made a PVC (actually ABS) arm to extend the anchor out past the stern of my kayak.   This system works well for shallow rivers, it's basically a drift boat anchor system.   If I'm fishing larger/deeper rivers the detachable anchor on a reel system is the way to go.

Brian

With the Scotty version I wouldn't use more than 7lbs. 10 lbs will put too much stress on the back of your yak when drifting coastal rivers.  Also make sure it is installed high enough so that when you pull anchor it clears the water.  This will prevent involuntary 180 turns from the current catching your anchor.  its a good option for shallow rivers and lakes, not so great for the Columbia or Willamette.

Scott

I use the bsteves anchor system and a zig-zag cleat and a folding anchor. 
http://kayakfishinggear.com/zigzagcleat.aspx

For places in which there is bottom debris, you might consider a columbia-river anchor (rocker type).
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Anchoring.htm

In the first photo note the chain is tied to the end of the staff of the anchor with a light line/tie-wrap.  If you snag up, sufficient force will break the attachment, and then the anchor is pulled free of the obstruction from the other end.

Anyone have pictures of their setups? I too would like to get my revo set up for some Columbia river king fishing. thx!

Anyone have pictures of their setups? I too would like to get my revo set up for some Columbia river king fishing. thx!

Here's mine:

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6845.0.html

Hey Rawkfish,

I was looking at your setup and it looks really nice! I did have a couple of questions I am not sure why you have the crab float and the anchor ball? Do they serve a different purpose or make it easier to get the anchor? Also, I could not quite tell from your pictures how your anchor rope goes through the front carabiner.  Do you have to reach to the front to thread it through or is your setup like a trolley?

Thanks for any answers you can provide. I want to add an anchoring system to my kayak (as dreams of my first sturgeon dance through my head) but I have not gotten up the nerve to drill any holes in my pretty new kayak yet

I did have a couple of questions I am not sure why you have the crab float and the anchor ball? Do they serve a different purpose or make it easier to get the anchor?

The main reason I like two buoys is so I don't drop my anchor and buoy setup only to see it disappear into the river because the flow it too high.  If the flow is too much for the ball, the crab pot float can still be above water if the ball ducks under.  Also, it's easier to see with two buoys.  In places that have high pb traffic it's nice for boats to be able to see your buoys well if you drop off your anchor to fight a fish.

Also, I could not quite tell from your pictures how your anchor rope goes through the front carabiner.  Do you have to reach to the front to thread it through or is your setup like a trolley?

Here are some videos I made with my old kayak.  The buoy system is different, but the way my kayak hooks up to the bouy system is the same as what I am using now.

Thanks rawkfish, pictures, write up and video are great!

Thanks Rawkfish. That is crystal clear now. Also thanks for explaining the reasoning behind the double floats. I agree that a lot of visibility is a great thing!

I also noticed the reflective tape on your stuff which is another great idea. I have my bike covered in that stuff!

Rawkfish I was looking at your video and I was wondering. When you anchor in a powerboat you anchor with your bow into the current. The same as you were anchored. But when your in a power boat the seats face rearward for fishing, in a yak your seat faces forward. So how do you sit so you can drift your line behind your boat ? Do you just face forward and cast out to the side and place your rod in a pole holder ahead of you so you can tend it. Is it awkward when reeling in to re-bait?

Rawkfish I was looking at your video and I was wondering. When you anchor in a powerboat you anchor with your bow into the current. The same as you were anchored. But when your in a power boat the seats face rearward for fishing, in a yak your seat faces forward. So how do you sit so you can drift your line behind your boat ? Do you just face forward and cast out to the side and place your rod in a pole holder ahead of you so you can tend it. Is it awkward when reeling in to re-bait?

I have a bow and stern line which are both set up in the same fashion so once I drop my anchor and buoy harness in the river, I can use either the bow or stern line to hook up to it.  So I can anchor either pointed upstream or downstream.  As an example, for chinook in the Columbia it's better to anchor pointed downstream and for sturgeon on the Willy I'll anchor pointed upstream.