Setting Up Your Kayak Anchor

 

There are many ways to go about setting up your anchor system. The following information should help you if you plan on fishing deeper water and/or dealing with current. Do it right and you can easily anchor safely in fast current, plus be able to pull in that big fish without problems. Keep in mind, this blog post covers traditional-style anchors and not stick anchors.

First, you'll want to start off with an anchor of at least 3 pounds. A friend gave me a downrigger ball which has worked quite nicely due to its weight and smoothness; it doesn't get caught on many things. I also picked up a folding 3-pound anchor that can open up to dig into the ground when needed. Anything lighter and you'll find yourself sliding around, even in the slowest of current.

You can tie off your line to a bungee loop or cleat, but that won't always allow you to get into the proper position to fish effectively (a future blog post will show installation and use of an anchor trolley). Below are photos of some things you can do inexpensively to anchor in no time.

 

Here is a video by Wilderness Systems that has a similar but non-clipping method to help you slip away from your anchor when needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msCx3OPejLc&feature=youtu.be

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