Anchors are they Really Necessary?

[wfauby]

I'm not sure how true this is, but I heard from another fisherman that the fish can see the anchor line and it might spook them if you put it down close to the spot. If I fish the bay bridge I usually end up paddling back up withing casting range on every cast. It does get old after a while, but I don't fish that bridge much either and tend to stick to lower current areas.

i generally feel the same way and attempt to drop "anchor" upstream/upwind from my target and release line as needed to get to where i want to cast, this is also where an anchor trolley comes in handy. we fisherman may also give the fish more credit than they are due...do we think they know what rope is? however i always second guess my choice of using yellow anchor line.

[M_Duong60]

I have also heard of using drift chutes to slow down drift. Does anyone have experience with these and compare it with a folding anchor.

[HokieDJ]

I have both and find them comber some for me. Buy a Hobie and you can peddle against the current and keep yourself in place with a good sailing rudder.

I don't even carry the anchor or drift sock with me anymore.

[ronaultmtd]

I have a Hobie Outback with Turbo Fins and sail rudder- and you can't catch blue cats on Mattawoman Creek unless you anchor up- Two of us in Hobies tried- only one who caught cats was anchored

[DOGFISH]

I forgot how many kayak anchors I had till reading this thread. I usually take an anchor with me when bait fishing, chumming or when there is a chance that I may need an anchor, otherwise I generally leave the anchor home. Some folks also consider an anchor to be a safety item, in that vein I have been taking one of the 3lb anchor kits along with me more as of late. I have 1.5, 3 and 5 lb folding anchors. I recently got a 2lb claw anchor. Also in the anchor category is the stake out pole. I need to get one of those this year.

[M_Duong60]

After reading all of the posts I feel like that an anchor that actually keeps me anchored is the best choice for me. With that in mind I have narrowed my choices to a grappling and mushroom style anchor at 5#+. I would have gone with a claw type of anchor but not sure how it would preform in rocky waters. With that said I plan on installing an anchor trolley system, but seeing as I also want to save up for a fish finder I am only planning on buying one. So I was hoping to get your opinions on the two styles of anchors.

P.S- I will be mainly be fishing for croaker and spot during the summer and want to try live lining for flounder.

[Redfish12]

I rarely ever anchor, I think in total maybe 10 times ever. If you plan on catfish fishing (or that style) then you will definitely need one.

One thing I want to note, anchoring in current is very dangerous and can cause your kayak to swamp. I would also refrain from anchoring anywhere near the bay bridge or other large debris ridden areas. The bay bridge is full of all sorts of anchor snags and when the current starts ripping you will need to ditch it fast. Same with some river areas like fletchers. There are ways to do it but I would try to keep from it until you get a better feel for your boat and kayaking. Always keep a knife or two handy as well.

As for the drift sock, they are great for making long drifts for croaker or flounder and do help to slow you down. I think it's a pretty important thing to bring when fishing places like PLO. I am a hobie guy, so I can fight the current and fish at the same time, but when I just want to drift and fish multiple rods, the drift sock is great.

[M_Duong60]

Hmm...I was wondering if you could give me a choice between a drift sock vs. an anchor because seeing as I will be turning 16 on the 21st I can't buy to many things such as many different anchors (because I have to buy licences).

[Redfish12]

Really depends on where and what you will be fishing. You are in Fairfax, do you plan on fishing the rivers / lakes or bay area?

At first instinct I would say neither, unless you specifically plan on fishing bait or want to stay put in an area. A rock or other weight tied to a rope and then duct taped works pretty well and you can make your own trolly for very cheap.

[M_Duong60]

How well does the mushroom anchor hold in sandy areas?

[M_Duong60]

My parents own a beach down in OC, Maryland so I will do a lot of fishing when I am up there and in addition my Uncle owns a beach house in Delaware where I will fish surf and bays.

[Tall_Timbers_Kayaker]

Minh,

I use a small folding anchor on my Hobie PA. The trick to holding in current is the length of the anchor line as you want to be pulling the anchor along the bottom and not up. You can also add a few feet of chain to the anchor to increase its holding power. The best way to attach your anchor line to the folding grapple anchor is at the bottom. You then attach the line to the top of the anchor with a cable tie or some light monofilament fishing line. If the anchor gets snagged the fishing line will break and suddenly you are pulling the anchor from the other end and it will probably come free.

It is recommended that you have a float on your anchor line so you can toss the entire line if you start to get into trouble and then go back and pick up the anchor line and anchor. If you use an anchor trolley you run a loop of line through the ring in the anchor trolley to the cleat on your kayak so you can jettison the anchor if needed.

I don't use my anchor often but there are times when it is nice to stay in one spot. The anchor is the only real solution.

Please be safe and enjoy that new kayak.

Tall Timbers Kayaker

[M_Duong60]

I see that a lot of recommend using a chain with an anchor but don't know where to get one or how I would connect it to the anchor. Lastly does anyone know the difference between a mushroom anchor and a grapple anchor?

[kevinfry]

I rarely ever anchor, I think in total maybe 10 times ever. If you plan on catfish fishing (or that style) then you will definitely need one.

One thing I want to note, anchoring in current is very dangerous and can cause your kayak to swamp. I would also refrain from anchoring anywhere near the bay bridge or other large debris ridden areas. The bay bridge is full of all sorts of anchor snags and when the current starts ripping you will need to ditch it fast. Same with some river areas like fletchers. There are ways to do it but I would try to keep from it until you get a better feel for your boat and kayaking. Always keep a knife or two handy as well.

As for the drift sock, they are great for making long drifts for croaker or flounder and do help to slow you down. I think it's a pretty important thing to bring when fishing places like PLO. I am a hobie guy, so I can fight the current and fish at the same time, but when I just want to drift and fish multiple rods, the drift sock is great.

This is exactly why I use a hunk of chain. I create resistance with the bottom with out "grabbing" it. Much less likely to capsize. I even used this with a canoe to slow myself for flounder drifting...but used lighter chain. I also used a similar set up in Oregon coastal rivers in a canoe to slow drift as I fly cast for cutthroat trout.
Here are a couple pics. Hooking at the end is safest and will give you a bit of drift on a hard, shell, or sand bottom (holds good in mud bottoms like Bushwood). Doubling over makes it hold more and another fold would hold even more... but of course would not have same safety as hooking on end. If I use lighter chain I use a much longer piece....my light galvanized chain anchor is 8 ft long (I also use this to lock my canoe/kayak to the roof rack if I am going to go shopping or some such)

[kayak456]

Ok kid you need an anchor wether you need it or not. I have a anchor that looks like a grapling and it folds up. It also has a clip and float on the end so if I hook a big fish I can unclip the anchor from my yak and when I go back to get it I can see the float and get it. You will need an anchor. I always use mine, and I would say no on the mushroom, the grapling holds best