[DasGoby]

what anchors do people use for different applications and how often do you find yourself actually using an anchor? What anchor system/trolley do you use with the anchor if any?

For my canoe I'm thinking of getting a 3lb folding anchor for still water and slow/moderate flow small river. I will also probably get a drift sock.

 

[joetrain]

I have 2 rubber coated 5lb dumbbells that I use on my canoe. They can be mounted in the bow and stern with a homemade system. For the waters I fish the 5 lbs holds great. I had a 2.5 lb before but I needed it to be heavier for the higher flow on the DPR.

I usually only anchor when I'm on the river. I drop it when I catch a fish and when I want to stay put and work an area.
~JOE~

 

[1080tommy]

I have not used an anchor in a long time. Especially since Minn Kota came out the the spot lock. I have a bass boat and never anchor unless I am in shallow and I use my motor as a power pole. Those will be on my next boat for sure. My dad has an ipilot and the spot lock works so good, even in wind, I only use that. I guess I am a bit lazy but once it stabilizes, that thing holds the boat really well. I do have a small anchor in my bass boat to remain legal but I never use it.

 

[Skifish1]

I go to Play it Again sports and buy used weight lifting plates. Usually something like 70 cents per pound so dirt cheap. I usually use 3lbs for local rivers, fast current I use 5 b plates. You could guy small pulleys from any hardware store and buy your own rope.

 

[Brett]

I have one of those 12 foot plastic bass boats. I have 18 and 12 pound river anchors. I tie to a cleat. I only really use both if I'm working a jig or something where it helps not to swing back and forth.

 

[catchafew]

for different applications

I use a drag chain to slow down my canoe and help it pointed down the river. Not my own idea, just something I picked up from trout and smallie guides over the years on the Buffalo, Norfork and White rivers. I don't think the fish mind the clanking chain and if spending more time on boat control then I'm not fishing as much so it's a wash as far as I'm concerned. I let more rope out if I want a slower drag and vise versa.

 

[Aux Pleins]

Since day 1, that would be 3 kayaks ago, I've always used a flat, round, olympic weight on an anchor trolley. The space it takes up is minimal, and it lies flat and does not go anywhere. I laugh at those grappling, collapsing anchors they sell. Those things couldnt anchor you down in a backyard pond, let alone a river.

 

[am09qx30]

I use a 5lb folding grappling anchor and my use case is on the Kankakee river to stay just upstream of honey holes and drop stuff into them and torment large bass.

That is for staying stationary in the river.

I use "sea anchor" drift sock when working the river banks from about 20 yards out. It keeps the nose of the kayak pointed downstream so I dont have to course-correct. I bet on the run from Davis Creek to Warner Bridge, I get an extra 500 casts or so as a result of not having to tend to the steering. In reality, I used to have an old FolBoat Klepper that had a rudder cable connected to foot pedals. I would actually prefer that to the sea anchor because then I could steer easier according to the contour of the bank.

Back to the grappling anchor, I am going to rig a pulley system to make managing the up/down state of the anchor easier, kind of like the Klakama boats have.

 

[Darkstar72]

I had an overkill anchor for my last yak.....a 7lb mushroom on 50' of rope.

I haven't thought about anchoring my current yak yet but I like the idea of drag chains or drift socks for my PA14. If I do end up using an anchor I'll probably get the mushroom out and use that.

I've also thought that rubber-coated kettle-bell weights would make nice anchors but I've never tried one for that purpose.

 

[Guest]

I fish the Fox and Dupe primarily and use a 3lb mushroom anchor on about 6' of mountain climbing rope, tied with an anchor knot. If facing upstream, anchor in the front of the kayak. If facing downstream, anchor in the back of the kayak. Never anchor in very swift water. I know it's basic but seems these days everyone needs their hand held, so covering the basics.

9/10 I don't even bring an anchor and simply position the kayak accordingly and hit my targets.

 

[Scipio24]

I have a 3 lb folding anchor I found at a garage sale

Works enough for what I need.

 

[rich32501]

I use a drag bag for my 10' kayak and I love it. The more current, the more rocks in the bag. Fill it to stay put. Dump it out for the off season.

 

[Rambler]

5 lb mushroom. 8-10 ft of nylon rope. Carabiner to clip it to bow or stern depending on situation.

 

[Fluke]

No matter what anchor you use I would highly recommend an anchor wizard. Best investment I have made for anchor management in my kayak

 

[polishfly]

I too use the drag chain on most rivers which I picked up from my Indiana buddy. I also use the small 1.5lb grapple with a 2.5 Olympic plate slid on top resting on the hooks like an upside down mushoorm. This is great in sand and mud if you have enough rope to give the anchor a good angle to dig that plate into the ground. I kept a 5lb plate in the truck in case the 2.5 didn't hold but I was out on a really windy day in early spring with no weeds and it kept me firmly planted. All of my anchors and chains are on retractable dog leashes to keep ropes off my deck (bad for hooks and such).

 

[RonG]

12 lb rubber coated dumb bell ($1.99 @ Goodwill) About 50' of rope. It held me in place in 25 FOW in a river a week ago with a decent amount of current.

I have a drift sock that I use on Lake Michigan. I have an anchor trolley that I don't use much as I don't really anchor that much.

 

[fp fisherman1]

I use a drag chain with a 25ft heavy duty retractable dog leash for my yak. Also have multiple size flat olympic weights I can use depending on where I'm fishing. I still use the dog leash for those as well. The leash was for my 65ilb pit who pulls like a whole dogsled team so I know it can withstand the current but also be cut if I'm in a bind.

 

[DjGruv]

Ya try a drag chain. Really works well in a river. Makes it easy to control your drift