Kayaks have evolved. Nowadays, speed, size, and flexibility are notable features a Kayak should have. Hence it is imperative to go for a kayak anchor that possesses these qualities.
Kayaks are excellent fishing tools. With a fishing yak, you can explore different places to fish that get less pressure from overfishing, plus they could assist you in catching additional fish.
The Five Best Kayak Anchors in 2020
No matter if you have just bought a kayak for the first time, or you are in the market for a brand-new boat that you need to get rigged up, this guidebook will assist you in finding the best anchor. Here are our top recommendations:
1. Best Marine and Outdoors Kayak Anchor Kit
Best Marine and outdoors is one of the go-to brands when it comes to procuring a Kayak anchor. The reason for this is not farfetched; their quality is good, and their pricing is quite affordable. Their product has been around for a while, and it is still making waves; this lends further credence to the quality of this company’s products.
Apart from the pricing, it is difficult to ignore the features of this kayak anchor and kit because this is ultimately the reason why you should purchase it. The most prominent feature on this anchor is the built-in quick disconnect functionality, which helps the surfer stay afloat when the anchor is not connected. This feature makes mobility easier and enhances safety while out on the waters.
Even though the anchor merely spans just 12” x 3” in length, the size is efficient because the locking flukes enhances the surface area when you deploy the anchor. Based on the design, the anchor can hold on to any bottom type.
One other feature of this anchor is the tilted scooping design of the flukes. This is particularly lovely because it makes it easier to thrust into soft bottoms and maintain stability. In a bid to further ensure transparency, there is a money-back guarantee in place just in case you are unsatisfied with the product.
2. Seattle Sports Kayak Anchor Kit
If you are an insider in the Kayak industry, it is a seemingly noticeable trend that the expanding fluke anchor is the in-thing now. In this game of crafting splendid anchors, it is difficult to ignore the Seattle Sports company. They are the makers of an anchor weighing 1.5 pounds with a sliding collar that locks the tines into place when open. This is not the only anchor produced by this company as they also have another anchor weighing 3.25 pounds.
Admittedly, this anchor seems a bit complex in a way mainly because of the inclusion of features, such as two carabiners, a ring, and a storage bag with the anchor. There is already a dilemma as to the right way to rig the anchor. Luckily, the kayak anchor kit comes with 50 feet of easy to use polypropylene braided rope ready to go. The rope is soft, flexible, and durable. If you are particular about the quality of rope, then you might opt to purchase this anchor.
3. OceanMotion Kayak Anchor Kit
When you take hold of the OceanMotion Kayak anchor, you are likely to notice a similarity between it and the BEST Marine and Outdoor kit we recommend as our top option above. The OceanMotion Kayak anchor is primed to keep you in motion even in difficult terrains because it is a four-fluke anchor that also possesses a sliding collar and large scooped flukes.
All of these enable it to dig in and maintain stability while in use. The anchor is so flexible to use as you can adjust the rope if you feel like it. However, it is necessary always to note the strength of the rope and bolster it if not strong enough to prevent breakage. This is not just a safety precaution; it is also a maintenance fix that will ensure the durability of the product. This Kayak anchor sorts of gives you the best of both worlds as regards quality and design, and it is worth checking out before purchasing your next Kayak anchor.
4. Airhead Complete Grapnel Anchor System
It is difficult reviewing the features of this anchor because I run the risk of appearing to exaggerate. Hence I will keep my claims short, precise, and direct. This anchor is one of the best out there. In terms of cost, it is near unbelievably cheap, and then the safety mechanisms incorporated therein is wow! The clip release system on this anchor is especially worth checking out. It is so secured; it is highly improbable to fall off unless the paddler unhooks it.
Airhead has done a good job of coming up with this anchor. I love that they also showed some swag with the design by matching the rope, buoy, and anchor colors together. The color coordination doesn’t just look pristine, and they also help to fortify the anchor in terms of rust. This is cool because any metal immersed in water regularly is prone to rust.
In terms of getting value for money spent, you should consider this anchor. Oh, lest I forget, the rope on the anchor seems short because it is only 25 feet, but hey, you can’t have it all, you can replace with a longer rope to suit your purpose, and you are good to go!
5. Yak Gear Grapnel Anchor Kit
The simplicity of the Yak Gear Grapnel Anchor is cool. It is not elaborate in design, but it is fit for purpose. If I am a first-timer or even an experienced kayaker, I would still love a simple and easy to use anchor kit. The Yak-Gear-Grapnel-Anchor is a folding anchor weighing a paltry 1.5 pounds, but as alluded to earlier, it is nevertheless effective for purpose because it spreads in four directions to grab and grip the bottom and ensure firmness. The rope enclosed in the kit can get you about 5 feet, but again, this may be changed to a suitable length rope based on your preference.
If you must go for a simple design, then the Yak-Gear-Grapnel-Anchor looks to be your best bet. It is so compact that you can enclose it in a ditty bag when not in use. If this isn’t cool, then what is cool! The anchor line is spacious enough compared to the depth, and this will ensure your stability while putting the anchor to use. Check out this brand!
Since we’re disscussing YakGear anchor, also have a look at their Mushroom Anchor. This one is an excellent pick if you like to fish mostly in safe and calm water, which has only a mild current and little wind. It’s not as likely to get snagged when you need to retrieve it either.
If you like to fish mostly where the current is moderate, as well as the wind, then consider the above YakGear Grapnel Anchor. It’s a fantastic anchor that is geared to be used in several types of situations. Plus, you can collapse it, so it is easily carried with you in a kayak.
Anchor FAQs
Anchoring is a vital method of fishing efficiently via kayaks. You can get anchors for kayaks in several different sizes and shapes. It’s crucial to get the best one for your situation that fits with the places you intend using it. Lots of things can influence kayak positioning, to include wind, currents, and tides. When it involves fishing, it is vital to be able to remain in the place where the fish are at no matter if that is the shore, underwater branches, or some reef, etc.
You don’t want the kayak to wander away due to any of those external circumstances. This may be very tedious, plus it ends up giving you less time to fish since you have to keep adjusting the kayak. So, this article will explain all about all kinds of kayak fishing anchors, and you will be then able to pick the one that’s best for you.
Benefits of Anchoring Your Kayak
A top benefit when fishing from a kayak is you can gain access to shallower waters most boats cannot. So, if you like fishing in shallower water, It lets fishers anchor silently, plus it also acts like a smaller push pole such is customarily used with a skiff when they are doing sight fishing in shallower waters. You can use it in salt and freshwater.
Kayak anglers shouldn’t ignore the Drift Anchor. This kind of anchor controls the drift rate instead of merely holding you in one place. That’s great if you want to fish in an open body of water no matter if it is shallow or it’s deep water. If someone drifts too fast, and that happens a lot in a large and open body of water, it’s hard to present your bait or lure naturally. A drift anchor assists you with that, as well as gives you additional time for fishing in places like deep reefs, so you don’t drift overtop it too quickly.
How to Affix an Anchor to a Kayak
Now since you have a clearer understanding of all the various types of anchors for kayak fishers, next, we will learn how to secure the anchor to a kayak. The best primary method is to install an anchor cleat to the kayak. It can be put anywhere on the kayak. But, if you are going to fish where you face wind or currents, you need to put the cleat on the stern or bow so the kayak won’t flip over.
It can be attached to your kayak via a rope. Don’t forget to use 3x the depth of the water you are going to use the anchor in. For example, if you are fishing in 5 ft. of water, the line for the anchor needs to be 15 ft. or more.
A popular anchor attaching method for kayaks is the an Anchor Trolley, which has a pully mechanism allowing the fisher to adjust the kayak’s position, dependent on the current and the wind. The anchor line can be hooked to an Anchor Trolley Triangle, included with an anchor trolley. This pulls an anchor line alongside the kayak’s side from the bow to the stern. Should you want your kayak facing up current or wind, an anchor trolley should be used to pull your anchor to the kayak’s bow.
On The Other Hand, if you want to face downward from the current or wind, the anchor trolley should be used to pull an anchor in the direction of the kayak’s stern. When buying an anchor trolley, you have two choices: deluxe as well as heavy-duty.
What happens if you catch a huge fish? It starts to peel fishing line from your reel like it’s never going to end, and the only thing you can do is chase it so you can recover some of the lines you are losing. If this happens to you, you need an anchor float leash. This lets fisher chase after the line if you catch a huge fish. It has an easy to see orange-colored float, so it’s simple to find and get back an anchor when you are finished battling with the fish.