fishking247 Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 Looking to pickup a dumbbell to use as a cheap anchor on shallow 6' or less ponds. What weight should I get. I have a tarpon 140 which weighs about 70lbs. Any tips for rigging it? I do not have a trolley system and do not intend on getting one installed. I see some people use retractable dog leashes or clothes lines Quote
NEjitterbugger Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 For my canoe I believe I use a 10 pound anchor... All I do is drop it in the water and keep my foot on the rope, simple and affective... Quote
Quirkyfisher Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 I use this for my inflatable boat, very small, compact, and works well, doesn't take up much space. Can use it with or without the prongs out, and once it hits the bottom I let a few more feet of line out then just tie it off. It also has a clip. http://www.amazon.com/A-2-Complete-Folding-Anchor-System/dp/B0000ATY5P/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372006173&sr=8-3&keywords=kayak+anchor Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 i have a 3lb grappling anchor for my kayak. it holds good in weeds but its more like slow drift fishing in rocks. and fast drift fishing on 10+mph days (i would NOT spend the $25 on it again). i wouldn't recommend spending money on a dumbbell. save the money and put it toward a real anchor (8lb mushroom holds my kayak and canoe firm in all conditions). type 'kayak anchor' in the forum search. lots of creative free ideas like drift socks, 5lb bucket drift, rope with old back pack that you fill with stones depending on conditions and just empty at end of day etc. you will get a better feel for what you need depending on ur conditions. i like to fish windy days so the 8lb mushroom and anchor trolley system ($8) are perfect. nothing like having the right equipment for the job. canoe's are taller and have more wind resistance. in a lower profile kayak you could probably get away with a 5lb anchor but i've never seen them in mushroom 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted June 23, 2013 Super User Posted June 23, 2013 I have a 5lb dumbbell weight that is tied to a retractable dog leash. Just get the longest leash that you can find and you will be fine. You really don't need that much weight to hold a kayak and if you need more weight than a few lbs i would question how safe it is to anchor in that particular spot. Quote
martintheduck Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 i have a 3lb grappling anchor for my kayak. it holds good in weeds but its more like slow drift fishing in rocks. and fast drift fishing on 10+mph days (i would NOT spend the $25 on it again). i wouldn't recommend spending money on a dumbbell. save the money and put it toward a real anchor (8lb mushroom holds my kayak and canoe firm in all conditions). type 'kayak anchor' in the forum search. lots of creative free ideas like drift socks, 5lb bucket drift, rope with old back pack that you fill with stones depending on conditions and just empty at end of day etc. you will get a better feel for what you need depending on ur conditions. i like to fish windy days so the 8lb mushroom and anchor trolley system ($8) are perfect. nothing like having the right equipment for the job. canoe's are taller and have more wind resistance. in a lower profile kayak you could probably get away with a 5lb anchor but i've never seen them in mushroom X2. I use a 10lb mushroom I bought for like $20. SOOOOO much better than a grapple anchor or my many "ghetto rigged" devices. Just spend a cpl dollars on a mushroom anchor, maybe $5 on some rope and you'll love it. If you have an army surplus store in your area, go buy a bundle of paracord 550 - that's what I use to tie EVERYTHING on my yak and it's held up perfectly in the water... and it's light weight Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted June 23, 2013 Super User Posted June 23, 2013 Just use a 1 gallon milk jug filled with sand. Simple, easy, cheap. Quote
Super User Marty Posted June 23, 2013 Super User Posted June 23, 2013 I used a 5# dumbbell with my canoe until I made a drag chain using two feet of heavy chain. Since the chain I've never had to use the dumbbell. However, I'm fishing soft bottoms where it's easier to hold. A hard bottom probably would be a different story. For those who use retractable leashes, what do you do with the part that stays in the boat? Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted June 24, 2013 Super User Posted June 24, 2013 It depends on the boat. in my coosa there is a spot for it in the grab handle where it pretty much locks into place. In my commander i just slide it under the captains perch after pulling out enough line to anchor and tie off to one of the bungee holders on the slidetrax. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted June 24, 2013 Super User Posted June 24, 2013 I picked up a 3lb and a 5lb weight at Dick's a couple years back. Use the 5 on a 24' retractible dog leash and it works great. For shallow waters I also use a 7' StickIt anchor pin. If I were to do it again today, I'd buy a retractible golf ball retriever on Amazon and modify it for the same purpose. Quote
Jim Mac Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 I use a 5 lb. barbell plate with an anchor trolley. Quote
mikeg Posted June 27, 2013 Posted June 27, 2013 I have a 5lb dumbbell weight that is tied to a retractable dog leash. Just get the longest leash that you can find and you will be fine. You really don't need that much weight to hold a kayak and if you need more weight than a few lbs i would question how safe it is to anchor in that particular spot. I have one for the bow and one for the stern of my canoe. I bungee them to the braces for my seat. I got the leashes cheap at Harbor Freight. mikeg Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted June 27, 2013 Posted June 27, 2013 I actually have three and will be making a fourth.....like flyfisher said, it depends on where you are anchoring and what your fishing technique is..... My three types are: An old window weight (8lb), a 2lb wreck anchor (flexible tines) and a 1.5lb grapnel anchor (small ponds with no cover to get hung up on) Each of these can be removed and secured to my two anchor lines - one is 50' and the other is approx. 20' in length. Both are wound onto cord wrap holders. The next anchor I am going to make is a drag chain. Less likely to get snagged and super cheap to build. Other than that, I use my 6' or 8' stakeout poles. 1 Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted June 27, 2013 Posted June 27, 2013 I actually have three and will be making a fourth.....like flyfisher said, it depends on where you are anchoring and what your fishing technique is..... My three types are: An old window weight (8lb), a 2lb wreck anchor (flexible tines) and a 1.5lb grapnel anchor (small ponds with no cover to get hung up on) Each of these can be removed and secured to my two anchor lines - one is 50' and the other is approx. 20' in length. Both are wound onto cord wrap holders. The next anchor I am going to make is a drag chain. Less likely to get snagged and super cheap to build. Other than that, I use my 6' or 8' stakeout poles. this sum's it up perfect. you encounter different conditions at every new body of water you fish and end up with a small anchor toolbox Quote
Super User Marty Posted June 27, 2013 Super User Posted June 27, 2013 The next anchor I am going to make is a drag chain. Less likely to get snagged and super cheap to build. If your experience is anything like mine, you'll like that drag chain very much. Quote
fishking247 Posted June 29, 2013 Author Posted June 29, 2013 I went with the dumbbell idea because it was cheap. the 5lber holds me perfect in the small lakes/ponds i fish. i probably could have gotten away with a 3lber. all i do is clip it on behind the seat on my kayak. thanks guys Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.