Anchor for Kayak?

[Yakfly]

Hi,

New to the forum but have found a lot of great info so far!

Question about anchor style/size for use with my sit-on-top kayak. What size would be best for use on the White (below BSD)? I'm thinking of floating in water conditions like 0 to 4 generators running. Of course I would never anchor up in stronger current lanes anyway.

All the river johnboats I've rented up there had railroad rail sections as anchors, so I'm guessing the "claw" style anchors would not be a good idea? I'm thinking of fashioning an anchor out of some plastic dumbells - maybe 15 pounds. Thing that would be enough weight?

Any ideas/comments welcome.

[jdmidwest]

A bag of sand or rocks would do well and would not snag as easy. A short piece of pvc pipe with 2 ends filled with some form of weight is what I use. I put an eyebolt in one end to tie to.

I usually anchor only in still water and try to use vegetation or a tree, limb, or rock to rest against in moving water.

[retroaction man]

Im not really sure what your looking for BUT i use a 4 pound ball anchor thats covered in a plastic coating. its held me in place before in running water but i mostly use it to keep me in place while fishing a certian area.

I mostly fish below the dam also it its exactly what i wanted i picked mine up at sportsmans wearhouse for about ten bucks, lately i have been using from the back of my kayak but i think im going to try the front next time.

IMO carrying around 10 pound plus anchor is more of a hassle then anything

[ollie]

I definetly wouldn't recomend using an anchor in fast moving water. In slower currents it's ok, but I wouldn't use one below a dam running 4 generators, JMO. Needless to say I have one that I use on smaller creeks with slower moving water. It is a round plastic cover dumbell that weights like 4lbs and it will hold me in place just fine. You'll find it works better at the front of the bow then in the back.

[brownieman]

i have used various things for anchors in my life.

i have one of those big metal ones made for grabbing stuff and holding a boat in a strong current...i admit it's not wise but i do it and keep a sharp knife laying right beside the rope so i can cut the rope if something happens.

sometimes those big anchors get hung on stuff and you can't hardely get them loose also, especially behind the dams where there is tons of fishing line and who knows what on the bottom...hence the knife comes into play...better than the risk involved.

canoes, smaller boats i used those old window weights for years, they worked great and were slim in profile, had a hole for a rope, but they would roll around in the boat unless secured.

best anchor i have for small boats is an old small door to a safe...it's round, about 10" in diameter and about 3 inches thick...heavy steel, probably weighs 20 lbs. or so and has a heavy bail type handle on it to tie off to.

being flat it rides well in whatever.

my lake boat i'll tie to cover if possible to keep ropes out of the water...when i have to i have 2 of those store bought plastic covered mushroom looking ones...one is rigged properly on the rear of the boat with a crank and reel within reach and if i want the boat to hold position i'll throw the other one off the front and use both of them.

i have had many fish over the years get tangled in anchor ropes and ( knock on wood ) have never had to cut the big one and i have anchored in some scary water.

everyone take care in this heat

bm

[Gavin]

Try a few and use what you like best. Sash weights, dumbells, or round balls work well to hold you in place (toss em out the front). If you want an anchor that will slow your drift, drag a chain from the back. Keep a knife handy at all times. Cheers.

[Yakfly]

Thanks to all, some good information here!

I think I'll go with less weight than I was originally thinking and 5 to 10 pounds instead. And the tips about running the achor off the front is well taken - I was thinking to anchor off the back.

I have a float n' fly trip on the White in a few weeks, will give a report.

[bikehikefish]

listen to Ollie - there are warnings posted about using anchors below BSD. Water comes up, anchor doesn't, boat goes down, fisherman drowns.

[!)ave]

Would something like a 2 liter soda bottle or milk jug work?

You could keep it empty and light until you got to the river, then fill it when you got there? I currently use an old window weight also.

dave

[Monte Ray]

Thought I'd chime in on this since I just got an anchor for my SOT.

I have a 3 lb anchor that folds out with 25' of line. I used it on Taneycomo last weekend - with no generators running. Worked out very well. I just tie it to 1 of my side handles and adjust the length as necessary.

Anchoring in moving water is very dangerous - if water comes over the top it can easily flip the yak and the current will cause the kayak to plane to the bottom.