Kayak Boat Control

[Choporoz]

I'm new to kayak fishing; been out just three times in my newish Wilderness Tarpon 100.  I love it, but after years with a trolling motor, I feel a little helpless in the wind and current.....so, I've got a 'few' questions:

 

-Do you use a stake out pole?  If so, did you buy it?  Make it?  How do you use it?  Stick it outside the yak and tether it?   Through a scupper hole?  If tethered, do you worry about getting pulled over?  How do you stow it when not in use?  Is it retractable?  Do you use it to maneuver (poling)?  If so, does yours have a combo handle/foot on one end?

 

-Do you use an anchor?  What weight?  Trolley?  How much rope do you carry?  Where do you stow it?

 

-What about a drift sock?  Anyone use one in a kayak?  If so, where do you attach it?  How does it work for you?  Do you maneuver with it deployed? 

 

-Do you carry a length of rope and tie off to tree branches?  How does that work for you?

 

 

 

 

[boostr]

I was in the same boat er, kayak as you. I ended up buying the Yak-Gear Deluxe Anchor Trolley, and 3lb grapnell anchor kit. I also just ordered the 6ft Yak-Gear mud pole. Preferable you want to attach the anchor at the front or rear of the kayak because you can tip over if the current is strong enough if you tie the anchor or stick up pole off on the side of the kayak. That's why the anchor trolley is so great. You can tie off to the trolley and you can slide it front to rear without having to reach. With the mud pole you can tie off to a pad eye on the kayak, but with the trolley you can stick it through the loop or attachment ring. They say not to put it thru a scupper hole because it can cause premature wear our stress on the scupper hole. The 3lb Anchor kit comes with 30 feet of line, and works great. I haven't used it on my kayak yet, but did use it on a 12ft Jon boat last weekend and it held to everything, mud, silt, rock and stumps. A lot of guys store the anchor in their create or stick it in one of their flush rod holders behind them. You can secure the stake out pole on either side of your kayak where you secure your paddle, but the Mud stick from Yak-Gear comes with mounts you can install on your kayak.

[J Francho]

Look up making a drag chain. It's that or a stakeout pole that I use the most.

[Darren.]

I'm new to kayak fishing; been out just three times in my newish Wilderness Tarpon 100.  I love it, but after years with a trolling motor, I feel a little helpless in the wind and current.....so, I've got a 'few' questions:

 

I prefer using a trolling motor on my kayak. Makes dealing with wind a LOT better, tho not perfect.

 

-Do you use a stake out pole?  If so, did you buy it?  Make it?  How do you use it?  Stick it outside the yak and tether it?   Through a scupper hole?  If tethered, do you worry about getting pulled over?  How do you stow it when not in use?  Is it retractable?  Do you use it to maneuver (poling)?  If so, does yours have a combo handle/foot on one end?

 

There are a number of good pre-made stake out poles. Personally, I like (and bought) the 8' StickIt Anchorpin. It is heavier than others, but is made of same material as PowerPoles, so it is darn tough. I use this more than anything, don't carry an anchor with me much anymore because this is so darn useful.

 

Way to make your own is to buy a telescoping golf ball retriever on Amazon, cut the ball retriever off, etc. There's a YouTube how-to for this. You can make one up to 15' or so.

 

-Do you use an anchor?  What weight?  Trolley?  How much rope do you carry?  Where do you stow it?

 

Not of late, but when I do it is on a 26' retractible dog leash, and either a 3 or 5 lb dumbbell, or a 24" length of chain which is more of a drag to slow you down in current, not necessarily stop you.

 

-What about a drift sock?  Anyone use one in a kayak?  If so, where do you attach it?  How does it work for you?  Do you maneuver with it deployed?

 

Thought about it, but never pulled the trigger on one.

 

-Do you carry a length of rope and tie off to tree branches?  How does that work for you?

 

Easy solution is to get some parachord and a cheap hand clamp at Harbor Freight or the like. Tie the line to it, and (maybe cut the cord to 8 or 10 feet) tie a carabiner to the other end which you'll use to attach to your kayak seat or such. The hand clamp is to latch on to branches...

[buzzed bait]

i'm with darren and recently mounted a trolling motor and it makes it a lot easier, but still not perfect.

 

I have a yak attack stake out pole.  Felt like an idiot spending $70 on a stick and honestly still kind of feel like an idiot about it.  it works ok, but just ok.  i either do a scupper hole or even through a piece of bungee on the side that is for a paddle holder.  if you can make one yourself for cheap or find a cheaper alternative i would look at that route.

 

Anchor is a little grapple style 1.5# anchor.  It depends on depth as to whether i would opt for the pole or the anchor, but if at all possible i opt for neither.  they're just aggravation sometimes.  used to have an anchor trolley and was going to install on this yak, but haven't yet and don't know that i will.  problem is with it on one side, makes you want a trolley on both sides. 

have never done the drag chain, but many i know use one with some success, but again not perfect.

 

never used the drift sock, don't know anyone that has.

 

and again with darren on the clip and rope. i have about 8-10' with a carabiner on one end and one of those odd looking tree branch grabber things found at about any boating accessory aisle but any type of clamp would likely work. of all the methods listed, this is my favorite when it can be employed.  it's the easiest, quitest and quickest way for me.

 

last but not least, if it's just too d**n windy to even start, i usually fish from the bank or find something else to do for the day.  as fun as it is to fish from the yak, a day with some bad winds can nearly ruin it for me.

[boostr]

I'm new to kayak fishing; been out just three times in my newish Wilderness Tarpon 100. I love it, but after years with a trolling motor, I feel a little helpless in the wind and current.....so, I've got a 'few' questions:

I prefer using a trolling motor on my kayak. Makes dealing with wind a LOT better, tho not perfect.

-Do you use a stake out pole? If so, did you buy it? Make it? How do you use it? Stick it outside the yak and tether it? Through a scupper hole? If tethered, do you worry about getting pulled over? How do you stow it when not in use? Is it retractable? Do you use it to maneuver (poling)? If so, does yours have a combo handle/foot on one end?

There are a number of good pre-made stake out poles. Personally, I like (and bought) the 8' StickIt Anchorpin. It is heavier than others, but is made of same material as PowerPoles, so it is darn tough. I use this more than anything, don't carry an anchor with me much anymore because this is so darn useful.

Way to make your own is to buy a telescoping golf ball retriever on Amazon, cut the ball retriever off, etc. There's a YouTube how-to for this. You can make one up to 15' or so.

-Do you use an anchor? What weight? Trolley? How much rope do you carry? Where do you stow it?

Not of late, but when I do it is on a 26' retractible dog leash, and either a 3 or 5 lb dumbbell, or a 24" length of chain which is more of a drag to slow you down in current, not necessarily stop you.

-What about a drift sock? Anyone use one in a kayak? If so, where do you attach it? How does it work for you? Do you maneuver with it deployed?

Thought about it, but never pulled the trigger on one.

-Do you carry a length of rope and tie off to tree branches? How does that work for you?

Easy solution is to get some parachord and a cheap hand clamp at Harbor Freight or the like. Tie the line to it, and (maybe cut the cord to 8 or 10 feet) tie a carabiner to the other end which you'll use to attach to your kayak seat or such. The hand clamp is to latch on to branches...

Those are some good Ideas Darren. Hmmm some more DYI projects for me..

[boostr]

I've seen people use their fish grips to clamp onto branches and what not.

[kcdinkerz]

I only fish out of lakes and use a 3 pounder anchor with 20 foot of line. If I want to face the wind I'll put the anchor to the front. Anchor to back if I want to my back to the wind. When trying to point my yak towards the bank I'll anchor in the middle. This all depends on the wind direction of course. The example I have was for a south wind and fishing a west bank. Forgot to mention you'll need an Anchor trolley. If I want to move I'll just pull on the anchor line and let the wind take me further down.

[MikeinFresno]

you stow a pole on the side with the paddle retention device, bungee or clip

[flyfisher]

I've seen people use their fish grips to clamp onto branches and what not.

the thing you have to watch out with fish grips is if the branch is too large it will mess up the spring and holding power of the fish grips, i learned the hard way lol

 

I use a stakeout pole 95% of the time and a drag chain the other 5%. I have one of the yak attak 6' stake out poles and plan on getting another in 8'.  for storage i either put it in a flush mount rod holder behind me or i put it in the clips that i have mounted to my track system.  usually it stays in the tracks until i get on the water and use it for the first time then if i know it won't be long till i use it again, it goes in the flush mount, otherwise it goes back into the clips.

 

I do try my best to use the wind to my advantage rather than fighting it.  

[Choporoz]

Thanks a ton, guys.  I have one (or more?) golf ball retrievers gathering dust in the basement that are going to be repurposed.   I fish a large tidal bay that is almost all 3-5' deep and I think the retractable pole is the way to start.  I also like the drag chain idea better than an anchor for now -- looking into a trolley, as well.

[J Francho]

The trolley is key....really helps you position the craft properly.

[flyfisher]

i have heard of people using other items as stake out poles but to me, while it is worth a shot, I prefer equipment that is designed for the task at hand because they usually perform better.

 

And i will also agree with J Francho that an anchor trolley is probably more important than what type of anchor you are using

[boostr]

I have to agree with you ff, and that's the only reason I shelled out the cash for the stake out pole. I don't mind diy for rod holders, storage crate, and even making your own kayak cart. Hell I made my own bungee quick release stake out pole tie off with float, and carbiners on both ends. Came out pretty good if I say so myself, but like you said certain things are better if they are designed for a specific purpose.

[Felix77]

I have zig zag cleats on either side of me.  I use a 3 lb folding grapnel style anchor.

 

Opened if I want to hold to a spot.  If that doesn't work then I keep it closed and it works like a drag chain.

[SHaugh]

I've lost too many grapnel anchors to ever buy another one.   The river I fish is too full of trees and sharp edge rock.   I came up with a disposable anchor idea that works pretty good.   I have my rope through a zig zag cleat with a spring glue clamp on one end.  With that I can grab branches or grass.  When I need to anchor away from shore I use one  I made  myself out of  concrete.  

 

Just mix it up and shovel some in a plastic bag.  Put a wire loop inside it.  then form it into a sausage shape.  When it's dry just take off the plastic.  Costs about a buck.   Then I clip my clamp on the wire and throw it in.  If it gets stuck the clamp will just pull off....   one more chunk of concrete in a river .... and I'm out a buck instead of 15....

[J Francho]

I've lost too many grapnel anchors to ever buy another one

 

Sounds like you have it rigged incorrectly.  I'll try to get a pic up later.  Rigged properly, they're pretty much impossible to lose, provided you are still holding the rope it is attached to.

[Turtle135]

I have the 6' Yakattack ParkNPole. It is great on the Tidal Potomac River as there is a lot of fishing in water 4 feet or less. The ParkNPole floats in case I drop it. They also sell two clips which I have screwed in the top rail of my Ride 115 for storage. I frequently go right through a scupper. Other times it is outside the kayak and I tether to it with a "Fish Grip" on a 4 foot length of paracord. Never have had a tipping problem due to a stake out pole.

 

On the anchor I use a 5-pound plate from a weight lifting set. I have it on a floating retriever dummy so I can quick release from my anchor and the float keeps my anchor line at the surface. I have been involved in several dangerous events using an anchor on a kayak in current. Being able to quick disconnect from that line without having to worry about losing the anchor is key. Some guys carry a knife to cut their anchor line but I am willing to bet they fight losing that anchor (and that is when you can get into trouble).

 

 

My fish grip frequently turns into a "brush grip" for a quick anchor off of shoreline brush or branches.

 

[SHaugh]

I've lost 3 rigged from the front with the break away thread. I don't know exactly what happens down there but in that river it manages to find whatever junk is down there and no amount of pulling could free them. I imagine it's lots of crevices and sharp edged limestone that does the damage.

the throw away anchor is a lot less to worry about...

And I agree with Turtle being able to jerk and run in a river is a nice safeguard.

[J Francho]

Limestone is a pain.  Mix that with current, and I can see issues...

[DogBone_384]

The trolley is key....really helps you position the craft properly.

 

X2.  I have trollies on each side of my Lure 11.5 and use a 3 pound grappling anchor kit I got from BPS.