4 Point Anchor System

I often hear kayak anglers talking about anchor lines and lines for drift socks and stake out anchors. Down here in Texas, for some unknown reason, people like to rig anchor trolleys around their kayak. I hate having any extra rope around the edge of my kayak especially up front where my topwater plugs can get hooked up in the rope. And I have never ever wanted to anchor facing into the wind to fish. And with a trolley, each anchor has to have its own line to attach to the trolley. Too much hassle and mess for this old boy.

So I came up with a 4 point anchor system that I can use with all my anchors (Manta, stake-out stick, drift sock) and it has all the lines included and out of the way.

I put 2 small rope cleats on each side of the kayak. The front cleat is just behind the side handles. The rear cleat is set back as far as I can easily reach next to the tankwell. I take a 100' of small diameter nylon rope and cut it into 2 50' lengths. I attach one 50' rope to each of the forward cleats and then wrap the line around the back and front cleats until it is all on the cleats. I tie a small carbiner or quick-clip on the end of each anchor line.

Now when I need to anchor, I can attach whichever tool I need to the whichever side I want. I let out as much line as I need. And I can tie off the front cleat for a sidesaddle approach or off the rear cleat for a downwind angled approach. I have yet to find a situation where the system didn't work. If I need to anchor in deep water I have plenty of line on each side. And if for any reason, we need some rope while out on the water, I have some with me.

The real beauty of this system is it minimizes the rope mess in the floor of your kayak. And the anchor lines are always on the boat.

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Comment by Todd Llewellyn on July 2, 2009 at 2:42pm: Very cool idea Joe. I have installed anchor trolleys on a few kayaks and then wonder why I did as I rarely use them. Really like your idea.

Comment by Bill Kengle on July 2, 2009 at 9:35am: Hello Joe. Love the new web site and this anchor solution. Cleats going on my T-140. I love the KISS formula.

Bill ( CC Bug Man )

Comment by Joe Poole on June 25, 2009 at 1:10pm: OK folks, I'm an idiot. I finally took a little time to view the post editor and I have added the pics to post. I hope that makes it a bit better.

Another neat thing about this system with the long 50' lines.... You can anchor off one of the rear cleats and let out all the line in a light breeze. Then while fishing a lure with some resistance like topwaters, spinners, cranks cast way out to 8:00-9:00. As you work your lure, the boat will swing over. Do it a couple of times if you need to and then cast back to 10 and 11 and finally back to 12. Then cast over to 3 or 4 and swing the boat way over there. Repeat the process, working the area slow and back to 12 or downwind. You end up being able to anchor and work a larger area quietly and intensely before moving on. This is just another thing I do using this set up.

Comment by Salt Fly Girl on June 25, 2009 at 11:56am: Joe - Cool idea ! Thanks for sharing it, gonna have to check out the pics !

Comment by Joe Poole on June 23, 2009 at 1:49pm: I did post a couple of photos in my album... 4Pt Anchor System. They are not pics of the anchor system but pics of 2 boats that have the anchor system. You can see the anchor lines in the photos.

Comment by Joe Poole on June 23, 2009 at 1:45pm: Oh, I keep a short bowline (about 8'-10') that has carbiners on both ends. I attached to the front handle when I need to pull my yak or anchor the bow to my stakeout stick. Otherwise, that line is stowed in my crate.

I usually fish really shallow too. I still like to attach my stakeout stick via a line. I hate staking out thru the scuppers (noise, spins around the stick, tall stick sticking up from my kayak floor in the way of everything). I usually use the same lines to attach to my stake out stick and that way the stick is out away from me and my fish.

Comment by Chad Hoover on June 23, 2009 at 1:44pm: Interesting concept. Can you post a few photos.
Chad

Comment by Erick Bell on June 23, 2009 at 1:05pm: Joe, that is an interesting way of approaching anchoring. I rarely use an anchor, usually fishing shallow enough forthe stake out pole, so my anchor trolley is really a wading tether that I can use from the bow of the kayak....although more often than not I need to get to the tank well since that is where my gear is stored. I may try this on my new kayaks. Using a similar principle off the bow and stern with a shorter rope for a wading tether. Thanks for the info.