Best style kayak anchor

[snowplow]

Hey guys, just curious if there's a better style anchor out there than the fold up grapple style you always see? I need one for small lakes with slight wind. Also how heavy?

[Choporoz]

I've seen lots of folks using dumbells.  Good for storing and rolling off the bow.  I have always liked the folding grappling type for the quick realse capability.  And, I can stow it in a vertical rod holder.

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I have always liked the folding grappling type for the quick realse capability.

I had the grappling style for the canoe...on an anchor trolley of course...worked quite well.

 

[snowplow]

That's pretty awesome. I didnt even think about putting it in a rod holder!

[Bankc]

A 3.5lb folding grapnel anchor is the standard choice for a kayak for good reason.  They're small and light enough to not take up too much space, and they hold pretty well on most bottoms you'll encounter.  

 

Second place would be an anchor pole.  They will hold your kayak the best, but only work in shallow water and can take up a lot of room.  I have one but almost never use it because these lakes are too deep to be of use.

 

Either way, an anchor trolley is a virtual must, in my opinion.  The wind and current will blow a kayak around and an anchor trolley allows you to point the kayak in the direction you want to fish while anchored.  I have two, one on each side of my kayak.  I also have a drift sock that I'll occasionally use to help keep my kayak from moving too much while anchored, by using it on the opposite side of the grapnel anchor. 

 

Also, a lot of people like to put a zip tie on their grapnel anchors and tie the rode to the eye on the tip instead of the shaft.  And then zip tie the rode to the eye on the shaft.  The idea being that it'll act like normal under normal conditions, but if it ever gets truly stuck on something, you can pull it hard and bread the zip tie and it'll pull the anchor up backwards, freeing it from whatever it was stuck on.

 

On the cheap end, some people will use a retractable dog leash and a 5lb dumbbell or weight.  Or maybe a small length of heavy chain.  All seem to work fine with kayaks.  Some people will also use those 8ft. fiberglass tree stakes you can get for a few bucks at home improvement stores and use it as an anchor pole.  You can glue a PVC T-fitting to one to make a handle to help drive it int the bottom and it gives you a place to attach a rope. 

[Functional]

19 hours ago, Bankc said:

Also, a lot of people like to put a zip tie on their grapnel anchors and tie the rode to the eye on the tip instead of the shaft.  And then zip tie the rode to the eye on the shaft.  The idea being that it'll act like normal under normal conditions, but if it ever gets truly stuck on something, you can pull it hard and bread the zip tie and it'll pull the anchor up backwards, freeing it from whatever it was stuck on.

Do exactly this and read the # rating on the zip tie. I think I use 7 or 10lb zip ties. Saved my rear a time or 2 already. 

[Alex from GA]

I only fish small rivers and streams with my kayak and use an 18" length of 3/8" chain.  If I need more weight I use 2 lengths.  My buddy once tried an anchor pole through a scupper hole in his kayak and I had to retrieve his stuff.

[padlin]

After losing 2 anchors to underwater roots, I made 2 lengths of 1.5” pvc pipe filled with bird shot, 3.5 and 7 lbs, with stainless eye bolts on one end. The 3.5 is good for slight breezes, like this morning. The 7 for over 5 mph, roughly. On occasion I take along both, but usually I go by how much wind when launching or forecast.

 

Been using them for 15 or 20 years, much better then the mushrooms.

 

At times the wind will still move me along a bit, but it’s manageable.

[Bankc]

1 hour ago, padlin said:

After losing 2 anchors to underwater roots, I made 2 lengths of 1.5” pvc pipe filled with bird shot, 3.5 and 7 lbs, with stainless eye bolts on one end. The 3.5 is good for slight breezes, like this morning. The 7 for over 5 mph, roughly. On occasion I take along both, but usually I go by how much wind when launching or forecast.

 

Been using them for 15 or 20 years, much better then the mushrooms.

 

At times the wind will still move me along a bit, but it’s manageable.

Those old mushroom anchors are what everybody had when I was growing up.  They never seemed to work worth a hoot.  I remember when my dad bought a fluke anchor for his boat when I was a kid.  It worked so much better, he was telling anyone and everyone about it who would listen for the whole summer.  Then I recently read that the mushroom style anchors really only work if you're going to be anchored somewhere for a really long time.  Like weeks or more.  They were designed to sink down deep below the surface of  the mud, and don't do much good if you're only going to be anchored somewhere for the short term.  Which brings up the question, why did virtually everyone one in the 70's and 80's?   I guess they were cheap or something. 

[Alex from GA]

With the right bottom, sand or mud, a mushroom anchor will lay on it's side if there's enough scope, and be very hard to pull out unless you're on top of it.  

[BassinCNY]

I started using a 10 pound mushroom this year. Previously I had a three pound grapple. I'm happy I made the change.

[BrianMDTX]

I don’t have a yak but do have an inflatable. I’ve been using an 8 lb. mushroom anchor for years. It’s kept me in place with no issues. 

[flyfisher]

I use one of the da bomb anchors with the chain paired up with an anchor wizard chute and crank.  I have done all the other ways and since I have done this, no issues.  I primarily fish rivers and if it isn't enough to hold me, I probably shouldn't be anchoring anyways.

[thinkingredneck]

Window weight from old windows

[Boomstick]

I have used a 5lb mushroom anchor into

an anchor trolley hooked up to an anchor wizard for years. It worked very good.

 

I haven’t setup an anchor since I got pedals. i’ve been thinking of taking a round ball weight and running it through the power pole hole to an anchor wizard, mostly for summertime when I want to anchor down and target one spot but I’ve been okay jogging myself in place and occasionally resetting.

[Zcoker]

None. I've never used one on my kayak. Then, again, I have a powered kayak that has a hand throttle like a boat. I've learned to feather the throttle in all situations to keep me where I want to be, no matter the condition. An anchor would no doubt be a major obstacle with some of the big bass that I've dealt with. They usually crisscross and circle the entire yak and an anchor line would be the end of it.