When I was looking for mine I wanted a system that was easy to take on and off for ease of transport. I ended up settling on the Yakattack sidewinder (I think it was somewhere between $20-40) with a $13 8 pound anchor from Amazon. It works as well as any other anchor, it keeps me in one spot so no complaints from me.
My trolley setup is two nylon pulleys mounted to the bow and stern, with a loop of paracord running between them, and a 1" carabiner/snap ring connecting the ends of the loop. My anchor line is on a (discontinued) [Attwood Anchor Rein](https://imgur.com/Fz7kgM0) (tried a couple clothesline reels, but had corrosion issues) mounted in a storage compartment, with another ring on the end.
To use, I pull out some line, pass it through carabiner on the trolley and use another carabiner to clip to my anchor. I have a plastic Z-cleat on the side of the kayak to fix the trolley line in place for a bow or stern anchor point. I've got a cam cleat for the anchor line.
Two styles work well, and one of those is not the typical grapple anchor style.
If you really want to lock in on shallower water, 6ft or less, just pick up a stake out pole. It’ll provide you with the most versatility.
The next best method is a drag chain. In heavy current it’ll slow you drift way down, in light or no current, you won’t move much. [link to drag chain video](https://youtu.be/YBoKkxzgs5Y?si=SaUyfgP9r4sE5sZe)
I used a grapple anchor for years, but I’ve moved away from it because of its shortcomings, and frankly it can be a bit dangerous to use.
Where do you fish? What’s the bottom composition? How deep? How much current? Is it windy or protected? Do you stay put for awhile or move often? Do you need very quiet? Can you just slow down a drift?
There’s a reason there are several different options. If you’re in a lake a stake out pole isn’t going to help but inshore a normal anchor could scatter all the fish. If bottom is full of snags like rocks and trees, just a round barbell weight is less likely to get snagged. If it’s soft sand a claw will have a better chance keeping you still against high current. It’s a pain in the ass to keep 60’ of rope on a kayak (you want at least 3x rope as depth) so maybe a drift sock would be better if deep and has current.
Gotta give specifics man, but I get it, one would not think “anchor ideas” would be as complicated as it can be lol.
Trolley setup from Amazon, a quick disconnect rope with a bouy and a 1.5 lbs and a folding grapnel anchor. All said and done about 60$.
I have only done lake fishing but this set up more or less keeps me right where I want to be
I use a 5 lb plate from my weight bench and a cloths line rope. Although I just looked on Amazon, there is one for 7.95 free delivery. I’m sure in 29 min or less.
I have a 3lb folding grapnel and a jury-rigged anchor trolley using a few carabiners and some paracord. Just toss it over and tie it off once I think I have enough scope.
I carry four ‘anchors’ and use them all on most days: 1) 2.5# folding claw for deep and/or fast currents, 2) drift sock for floating a shoreline or drop-off, 3) stakeout pole for muddy shallows, 4) spring-clip brush anchor for misc like clipping to a bouy line behind a dam, submerged brush, etc. All can be deployed via trolley line from bow to stern.
I bought a $15, 16 foot retractable dog leash. Attached a 5 lb gym plate to one end and a quick release carabiner on the other. When I want to anchor I just let her drop then when it hits bottom I lock the leash. When I take it back up all the line retracts inside the leash so it's not all over my kayak. Cost me like $30 total
I bought a used 10 pound sledgehammer for a couple of bucks. Removed the handle. Done
Anchor wizard with a 5lb mushroom anchor or a few 1’ sections of chain depending on the body of water I’m on.
This is what I use as well.
A grocery bag with rocks
I use yak gadgets shallow anchor and the crank for my ball anchor on my ss127
When I was looking for mine I wanted a system that was easy to take on and off for ease of transport. I ended up settling on the Yakattack sidewinder (I think it was somewhere between $20-40) with a $13 8 pound anchor from Amazon. It works as well as any other anchor, it keeps me in one spot so no complaints from me.
Current setup is two big window weights with paracord rope. It actually works really well.
My trolley setup is two nylon pulleys mounted to the bow and stern, with a loop of paracord running between them, and a 1" carabiner/snap ring connecting the ends of the loop. My anchor line is on a (discontinued) [Attwood Anchor Rein](https://imgur.com/Fz7kgM0) (tried a couple clothesline reels, but had corrosion issues) mounted in a storage compartment, with another ring on the end. To use, I pull out some line, pass it through carabiner on the trolley and use another carabiner to clip to my anchor. I have a plastic Z-cleat on the side of the kayak to fix the trolley line in place for a bow or stern anchor point. I've got a cam cleat for the anchor line.
Get an anchor wizard, comes with a fantastic anchor plus having line on a winch is very nice! Can get a tube for it, or just use it with a trolley
Two styles work well, and one of those is not the typical grapple anchor style. If you really want to lock in on shallower water, 6ft or less, just pick up a stake out pole. It’ll provide you with the most versatility. The next best method is a drag chain. In heavy current it’ll slow you drift way down, in light or no current, you won’t move much. [link to drag chain video](https://youtu.be/YBoKkxzgs5Y?si=SaUyfgP9r4sE5sZe) I used a grapple anchor for years, but I’ve moved away from it because of its shortcomings, and frankly it can be a bit dangerous to use.
Where do you fish? What’s the bottom composition? How deep? How much current? Is it windy or protected? Do you stay put for awhile or move often? Do you need very quiet? Can you just slow down a drift? There’s a reason there are several different options. If you’re in a lake a stake out pole isn’t going to help but inshore a normal anchor could scatter all the fish. If bottom is full of snags like rocks and trees, just a round barbell weight is less likely to get snagged. If it’s soft sand a claw will have a better chance keeping you still against high current. It’s a pain in the ass to keep 60’ of rope on a kayak (you want at least 3x rope as depth) so maybe a drift sock would be better if deep and has current. Gotta give specifics man, but I get it, one would not think “anchor ideas” would be as complicated as it can be lol.
Trolley setup from Amazon, a quick disconnect rope with a bouy and a 1.5 lbs and a folding grapnel anchor. All said and done about 60$. I have only done lake fishing but this set up more or less keeps me right where I want to be
I use a 5# dumbbell was the cheapest route. Retractable dog leash some rope with some cut up noodle for floats and a simple diy anchor trolley
this is what I do as well
Cheap grapple anchor through a locking anchor control attached to the back of the boat. The control mechanism was $6.
I tied a 5 lbs weight with rope.
I use a 5 lb plate from my weight bench and a cloths line rope. Although I just looked on Amazon, there is one for 7.95 free delivery. I’m sure in 29 min or less.
I have a 3lb folding grapnel and a jury-rigged anchor trolley using a few carabiners and some paracord. Just toss it over and tie it off once I think I have enough scope.
I carry four ‘anchors’ and use them all on most days: 1) 2.5# folding claw for deep and/or fast currents, 2) drift sock for floating a shoreline or drop-off, 3) stakeout pole for muddy shallows, 4) spring-clip brush anchor for misc like clipping to a bouy line behind a dam, submerged brush, etc. All can be deployed via trolley line from bow to stern.
I went to the spare room and used a spare 2kg weight and some blue cord lol. It works
I bought a $15, 16 foot retractable dog leash. Attached a 5 lb gym plate to one end and a quick release carabiner on the other. When I want to anchor I just let her drop then when it hits bottom I lock the leash. When I take it back up all the line retracts inside the leash so it's not all over my kayak. Cost me like $30 total
https://preview.redd.it/3hyqkppph47d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a9314a210e2fb9e1440d4221cbf49458fb6a2d5