Its smaller/lighter version lacks sufficient grip. In strong wind/current conditions, which we often face on the west coast, I have found that the 1.5kg folding-blade anchor is the minimum weight required to securely hold my kayak. I use two types of anchor: a 1.5kg folding-blade anchor for sand and a simple grapnel anchor for foul ground. The line is tied directly to the chain, which has a stainless steel oval ring with a screw closure gate at the anchor end so I can change anchors quickly. I use about two metres of light galvanised chain, and have found this length works well without being unnecessarily heavy to pull up from deeper water. This is particularly important when anchoring on sand or mud. The weight of the chain helps to keep the anchor at a shallow angle, giving the blades a chance to dig deep for a maximum hold. When anchored, I keep the winder attached to one of my seat straps with a smaller shark clip. This means I can ditch the lot in an emergency (such as the time a newbie I took out capsized into the freezing water), or if I need to follow a strong fish. I cut my winder out of 50mm thick, brightly coloured, closed-cell foam that floats. Best of all, I can still pull the thinner line without hurting my hands. I can accommodate well over 100m on my winder, allowing me to anchor in 60m or more without running out of line. Now I use a braided 3mm Polyblend line by Bridon Twines costing $21 for 250m. Like nearly everybody else, I used to use a 4mm rope that took up lots of space on my winder. I also attach my drogue to the bungy when drifting with soft-plastics, and haul it back with the ripcord. When not in use, the bungy is clipped on a little loop next to my midships carry-handle. That’s all there is to it and, as a bonus, it comes in at a tenth the price of a commercial running rig. My anchor-line attachment point is a shark clip at the end of two metres of 8mm thick bungy cord permanently secured to a saddle at the stern. Some kayakers anchor off the bow for the same reason, but then risk having their fish wrap around the anchor line when fishing. This directly points the well-rockered stern of my Prowler 13 into any oncoming waves for a clean lift. Let’s look at the individual components and their uses.įirst I dispensed with the conventional ‘running rig’ because I always anchor from the back to keep a large forward arc clear for fishing. My anchor system is not only extremely simple, it is also very cheap.
#Kayak anchor how to
Just think about it: no self-respecting boatie would venture out there without an anchor and knowing how to set it. I know that many soft-plastic fishers use a drogue instead of an anchor, but that does not mean an anchor is unnecessary, even if it is only carried as a safety backstop.
One key item is an anchor and a foolproof system to deploy it. A list of essential equipment depends not only on the types of fish I am after, but also on the methods I use to catch them.