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HOW TO USE A KAYAK ANCHOR KIT – INTRO
If you haven’t used a Kayak Anchor Kit on your kayak before, but you are interested in learning about the impact that it can make on your kayak fishing experience, then you have come to the right place! I’ll guide you on How to Use a Kayak Anchor Kit and everything else you need to know before installation!
Not familiar with Kayak Anchor Kits? Make sure to check out our Ultimate Guide for a thorough review of this particular piece of kayak fishing gear!
How to Use a Kayak Anchor Kit – Overview
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This post includes ALL of the important details that you need to know if you are interested in learning how to use a kayak anchor kit! This post is organized such that it has ALL of the information fragmented into subsections so they become easy to understand and follow. This will allow you to spend less time reading and more time on the water using your new kit!
The “Basics” associated with kayak anchor kits will be my starting point and, after that, I’ll list down some points that you need to keep in mind when it comes to using a kayak anchor kit.
I also highlight a series of important points that you MUST keep in mind when looking for the best kayak anchor kit. If you’re anchor kit includes each of these features, then you can be sure that you’ll be happy with its performance on the water!
Later, I’ll provide you with my recommendation for the best kayak anchor kit on the market today! By no means is it the ONLY top quality model of kayak anchor kit, but it is one that I feel comfortable introducing to this kayak fishing community!
In the My Experience section, I’ll list down the showcased model’s pros and cons and will briefly review it for your assistance. So let’s get on with it, shall we?!
Related: Interested in kayak fishing when the temperatures turn cooler? Check out our guide on Kayak Fishing in Cold Weather!
Parts of a Kayak Anchor
How to Use a Kayak Anchor Kit – Basics
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Shortcut to the Best Kayak Anchor Kit Review
Kayak anchor kits are VERY useful tools for kayak fishermen when out in the water. Being a fisherman, you need to be able to stop on flowing water to cast your line and attempt to catch something. Therefore, you will need a kayak anchor kit for this purpose. This kit allows you to drop your anchor whenever and (almost) wherever you want and catch a few fish while being there!
However, when it comes to installing a kayak anchor kit, you may find that you need a little guidance to help you through some of the difficult steps. Each of these kits come with different instructions.
Many have different designs and you need to install them on your kayak in alignment with the different shape and/or size of your kayak as well. Therefore, you need to follow the instructions carefully and go through the process smoothly – doing so will ensure a better installation result!
Using a kayak anchor kit, as opposed to installing it, is pretty simple because you will only have to drop the anchor into water wherever you want to stop! You can also adjust the grips according to your requirements!! Customization, in fact, is one of the biggest bonuses of high quality kayak anchor kits!
Keep in mind that anchors that come with these kits are mostly lightweight and are good to use in shallow waters with different shrubs. There are, however, a ton of different kinds of anchors that are available on the market that may also be substituted for the anchor that comes with the kit (just make sure to confirm its specifications)!
There are TONS of different types of anchor kits available – you need to look at the size and shape of your kayak and then evaluate that against the specifications of your kit. Therefore, you will either pick a kit that is compatible with your kayak or you will have some problems when installing or even using it. Just make sure to align the design of your kayak with the design of your kayak anchor kit – then you’ll be all set!
Side Note: If you are here, you are serious about becoming a better kayak fisherman! Learn how a Kayak Seat Pad can keep you comfortable on the water for longer! Then, after that, discover how a Kayak Fishing Net can help you land more fish (we’ve even thoroughly reviewed the Best Kayak Fishing Net)!
How to Use a Kayak Anchor Kit?
Installing a kayak anchor kit can be difficult if you have never seen it done before. If you already know how to install an anchor trolley on your kayak, the process is very, very similar. The only difference here is that you will have to add an anchor as well. Most of the details are given in the instruction manual that comes with the kit, however… we have a few tips as well.
Make sure that you go through the included instructions manual before you begin with the installation process. After all, each kit is a little different from the next. However, here are some general things to keep in mind:
- Take your Kayak Anchor Kit out of its box and make sure that you identify each and everything that is there inside the box – be sure not to lose any of the small pieces!
- Apart from that, you will see a detailed instruction manual from the manufacturer that will explain the entire installation process to get you going.
- There will be different types of components that are included in your purchase and these commonly include the likes of a nylon rope, a rubber or metal ring, eye loops, a buoy, and anchor, some pulleys, anchor poles, and some hardware.
- You need to attach the eye loops with your hull and be sure to keep them close to your kayak’s edges.
- The rope will go through these loops along with the o-ring.
- Set the rope aside until after you have installed your anchor trolley.
- You also need to get the rope through the pulleys.
- Pass the rope go through the deck loops as well as the keeper hoops.
- Now, make your anchor line and allow it to pass through the ring.
- Attache it to the cleat of your kayak.
- Now check the line and see if you can move the carabiner as per your needs.
- Not bad huh? Don’t worry, if you have any issues, you can comment in the Comments board below and we’ll see if we can help you out!
Side Note: Did you like this “how to” checklist? You might also like learning How to Use Kayak Outriggers or perhaps learning how to fish from an Electric Kayak is more your style?!
Kayak Anchor Kit – Important Features:
In the section below, I have highlighted some of the most important points that you need to keep in mind when buying a kayak anchor kit. If the kayak anchor kit that you are evaluating has each of these features (or even a majority) you can be assured that it will perform well for you on the water!
Materials
Since there are different types of kayak anchor kits available on the market, you won’t be surprised to learn that different manufacturers use different types of materials to develop their kits. You need to have a close look at these materials because your anchor kit will be exposed to different outdoor elements – and the materials used will impact longevity!
A kayak anchor kit made of quality materials will last longer. Therefore, always look for good materials when evaluating your kayak anchor kit. Nylon ropes are better to use than anything else and the anchor should also be made of good quality plastic or, ideally, metal with proper coatings to keep rust and corrosion at bay. The pulleys included with the kit should be rubber or hard plastic.
Design
The design of your kayak anchor kit should be very simple. This will make your life much easier. Your experience, in terms of kayak fishing, is actually irrelevant here.
No matter how experienced you are, using a simple to install and use anchor kit is always time-saving! Do yourself a favor and find one that is user friendly!!
Flexibility
Your kit needs to provide you with flexibility so you can install and use it comfortably.
Look for a kit that allows you to use it anywhere you like. You can also get a little bit creative with your settings based on the shape and size of your kayak.
Compatibility
Finally, the compatibility of your kayak anchor kit with your kayak is critical – seems obvious, right? You don’t want to waste so much time installing and trying to figure out how to make it work later on. Just buy the “right” size and style the first time!
So, it’s better to go for a kit that is compatible with your kayak. The good thing is that different types of anchor kits are easily available on the market – there truly is one kayak kit for every different style of fishing kayak!
Buy the Best Kayak Anchor Kit
The best kayak anchor kit that money can buy, at an entry-level, is the one that I have showcased for you above! It is compatible with most stern designs, so there won’t be an issue in terms of compatibility. The materials used in this kit are exceptional, you can tell that it is designed to take on outdoors for many kayak fishing seasons to come!
This particular kayak anchor kit is best suited for shallow waters. The anchor only weighs around 3 lbs, so it is not that heavy, especially when compared to the weights of all of the other kinds of anchors you’ll inevitably come across! You’ll notice that the blades are foldable and they can hang on, or “latch”, pretty well once they have contacted their initial anchoring point!
It is also very easy to position on your kayaks because it comes with a wide degree of stern compatibility. This means that it is relatively easy to install, but you do need to make sure that you follow the instructions carefully! The instructions are written in good detail and you don’t have to break a sweat, or be a rocket scientist, to get through them! Even a novice will find a way to use and install the kit – and that is one of my favorite things about this particular accessory!
My Experience
I have found this kayak anchor kit to be very useful, especially when I am fishing the shallows. It is extremely easy to install and use. The materials used in manufacturing this kit are just impeccable, especially when comparing them to the materials used by some of this kit’s competitors. And the kit also offers good stern compatibility – an important feature or ease of installation and use.
When we talk about “flexibility”, this kayak anchor kit is certainly high up the list (just under a quality Kayak Paddle Holder, in my opinion)! I have found that this kit is fully compatible with all three of my kayaks and all are different in shape and size. Once you get the instruction manual; installing this kit will be (or should be) like child’s play – but don’t worry, because we are standing by to help should you encounter any difficulties!
It is extremely flexible to use and I could easily manage to change my positions in different directions – which is really important to me since I fish for so many hours on end (and experience many shifts in the currents and winds during these outings). This kit is designed for the shallow waters, mainly, but you’ll find that it can also work in medium depths as well if you supplement with an elongated rope!
Pros
- The rope is made of quality nylon (perfect for standing up to the elements)!
- Your purchase includes anchor poles (a great feature of extremely shallow waters)
- The eye loops are very durable along with the pulleys (built for seasons to come)
- Anchors are very easy to store with foldable blades (which is a HUGE bonus for those of you who like to store your kayak fishing gear in the hull of your kayak in an effort to save space).
Cons
- Better suited for shallow waters (though you can make it work with medium waters as well, so long as you substitute in a longer rope).
Conclusion
I sincerely hope this guide about How to Use a Kayak Anchor Kit has served as a good resource for you! To prepare and then write this guide, I’ve made sure that all of the necessary information is present and accounted for, and that it easy to follow and sift through.
I’ve even provided you with my recommendation, just in case you want to skip that part of the equation in your buying process! For an entry-level product, it is the best kayak anchor kit that you will find on the market, at least in the humble opinion of your gracious host!
Comments
So do you like my recommendation? What do you do to adjust to the flowing water and winds when in your kayak? Have you ever given a thought of using a kayak anchor kit before? Maybe you’ve used it before and have a recommendation of your own for everyone here? Would you care to share your favorite anchor kit with everyone here?
Please share by posting in the Comments section below! We read and reply to every comment and LOVE interacting with the Kayak Fishing community!