Stay Put and Enjoy Your Surroundings: The Best Kayak Anchors

Kayaking is all about exploring new waters and moving forward. There are times, however, when you find yourself right where you want to be - and want to stay there for some time. 

Even if the wind picks up or the current catches you, you need to prevent your kayak from drifting away while taking in nature's beauty, snapping photos, or taking a break from paddling. 

Kayaking equipment often overlooks anchors. That's not the case today. 

You will find yourself slowly floating down the stream if you do not pick the best kayak anchor. 

A Guide To Choosing The Best Kayak Fishing Anchor: Key Features

Any substantial enough object can serve as an anchor, according to many people. 

You could stop your kayak dead in its tracks if you tied a 30-pound cinder block to a rope and threw it in the water. 

Are you planning to carry a 30-pound DIY anchor around in a kayak with limited load capacity? 

I hadn't thought so, either. 

If you're planning on kayak fishing, it's never - ever - a good idea to overlook the importance of using the best kayak anchor!

Ideally, I mean an anchor that can grasp branches, sand, mud, and other debris at the bottom and hold onto them. 

Kayak anchors are commonly used with grapnel anchors, which are, by far, the best. 

Your alternative solution could slide across the bottom without a proper anchoring system. The kayak could drift away while you weren't looking, putting you in a potentially dangerous situation. 

What does that mean for the choice of a grapnel anchor?  

No, especially if you're fishing the drift from a kayak. 

You want to control the speed of your 'yak rather than park it when drift fishing.  Drift anchors, also known as drift socks, can be used to accomplish this.  

Is drift sock what it sounds like?

Drift socks are underwater parachute-like devices that slow down kayaks by providing drag.  In order to adjust the speed of drift, the drift sock can be moved closer and further away from the kayak. Distance from the kayak determines how fast the drift will be.

In addition to preventing weathercocking, a drift sock acts like a rudder, keeping the fishing kayak facing the drift rather than turning in the wind.  

Is heavier always better when it comes to weight? 

Despite what you may think, the anchor's weight isn't as important as you might think. There is no need to be weighed down by much: 

In calm waters, an anchor weighing 1.5 pounds should be sufficient. If you paddle in rough, choppy waters, you might need a 3- to 3.5-pound anchor. 

Due to the somewhat limited load capacity of kayaks, going over the 3.5-pound mark isn't recommended. 

Put a large, concrete-filled can in water and see what happens. If you try it, you'll see it doesn't do much to keep your kayak in place. Despite its size, it cannot bite into the ground. Instead, your kayak will drift slowly away as your DIY anchor drags behind it. 

Anchor sizes - and designs - matter more than weight when it comes to keeping your kayak anchored. 

In addition to digging into the mud and grabbing on to branches, rocks, and debris at the bottom, a well-designed anchor with large "wings" will also be lighter. Kayaks stay where they're supposed to be parked when they're parked that way.

Anchor Rode and Scope: Their Importance 

Anchors aren't used to attach something substantial to a kayak. A tipover tool that digs into the bottom effectively is needed. 

A cable's length is crucial, no matter what you call it: anchor rode, anchor line, or rope.

Regardless of the type of anchor you choose, a short anchor rode - the cable connecting the anchor to the kayak - will render it useless. The anchor will drag along the bottom if the rope is not the right length. 

A tricky aspect is that "proper length" is relative; there is no universal solution, no one-size-fits-all. Anchor rode length should be determined by the anchor's scope, not by the depth of water. 

Anchor rode length is defined as the distance between kayak and anchor divided by actual water depth. 

In this case, the 7-to-1 ratio is ideal, meaning that each foot of water depth requires seven feet of rope. 

If you're kayaking in 10 foot deep water, you'll need 70 feet of rope - which, I know, sounds like overkill. Again, for optimal stopping power, there needs to be enough line to allow the anchor to trail behind the kayak. 

What's the best way to mount your anchor: bow, stern, or side? 

It is only half the battle to choose the right anchor type and scope. The anchor must be attached to your kayak in the most convenient place. 

It's not as simple as tying it off somewhere and throwing it over the side. You shouldn't do that. 

It is a long, narrow vessel designed for facing waves and water head-on. 

An anchor attached to the side of your kayak causes the wind and waves to approach you from an unfavorable angle. The kayak's balance might be thrown off, causing you to capsize if waves become severe enough.

Ideally, the anchor should be mounted on your kayak's bow or stern. Choosing one location over another is a matter of preference; as long as your kayak isn't facing the current or waves sideways, you should be fine. 

Also, I forgot to mention: 

There are some kayaks that have anchor mounting plates that are universal-fitting, which makes this process much easier. Most recreational kayaks and inflatable kayaks do not come with mounting hardware, so you will need to install them yourself. 

It may be best to hire a professional to do this since it often involves drilling holes in the kayak's hull. 

Kayak Anchor Trolleys: Do You Need One? 

Anchor trolleys are not necessarily essential, in my opinion. In any case, this clever piece of extra equipment does come in handy when you need to switch the position of your anchor without getting out of the kayak. 

It is certainly beneficial to invest in an anchor trolley if you are a kayak angler or crabber. 

That's not right: 

These simple-but-effective additions to your anchoring rig are crucial for anyone who needs to adapt quickly to waves and winds - sea kayakers, for example. 

With the anchor trolley, you can move a ring from one end to the other by pulling a line along the kayak side. 

When needed, you can change the anchor's placement with an anchor trolley, which is an amazingly simple system.