So I got an 8ft sit in kayak to fish around the local lakes. Everytime I catch a lunker the bass is dragging me into trees and brushes. 
question is should I anchor so I’m not dragged around until I land the fish? I haven’t lost a fish to back paddling with my free hand but there’s a lot going on. Haha. Got to be a better way. 

I would just keep enjoying the ride 

Sounds like a good problem to have ? 

you could anchor, sometimes i anchor when im fishing in my kayak for river smallmouth. however when your fighting the fish be aware of where the rope is. ive had more than one big smallie get around the rope get the hook stuck in it and get off.

Valid points. Just enjoy the ride. ?

 

Good point about the anchor rope. Would be another issue to fight the fish away from the snag point. 

A lot of people do drop an anchor or drift sock when trying to land a big fish from a kayak.  They'll have it pre-rigged, so all they have to do is throw it over.  Other people will just let it pull them along, figuring the kayak will act like a drag on a reel, and tire out the fish.  It's up to you how you want to approach it.  

How deep are you typically when you’re dragged? If shallow, a tomato vine stick will work, or like above use a drift sock in deeper water.

Every time I think I have a big fish on the line, I pull the anchor up To fight the fish. Big fish while anchored has better odds of breaking the line 

37 minutes ago, Junger said:

How deep are you typically when you’re dragged? If shallow, a tomato vine stick will work, or like above use a drift sock in deeper water.

Not too deep. Just pass the grass line. About 30 feet from shore. I could just see barely see the top of the grass under the water. 

Buy a pedal kayak ?

4 hours ago, Koz said:

Buy a pedal kayak ?

Yep, I just peddle backwards while fighting big fish to keep them out of stuff and help keep pressure on them. 

That’s the next upgrade. ?

A micro power pole may help?

If you fish where I do there's a good chance you'll get dragged into a hornet's nest eventually.  I use a 2' section of 3/8s chain through the front handle of my kayak with a clam cleat to secure the rope.  I think I've only lost a couple of fish to the anchor line and have caught hundreds of fish in the kayak.

If you fish for big fish in cover and you don't have a good anchor you need to get good at holding the rod in one hand and operating the paddle with the other. I've had to do it many times. And sometimes I still have to go under trees to get a bass that's wedged itself in. I did this once and had so many spiders in the boat I had to go back to the landing and clean it out. But the fish was worth it.

On 7/17/2021 at 11:28 PM, jtharris3 said:

A micro power pole may help?

OP says he has an 8' kayak. Chances are it didn't cost as much as a Power Pole. I've always wanted one, but I can't bring myself to spend $600 for the anchor alone when my kayak was only $800. I can really see the need for it in current.

8' boat should allow you to swing your rod tip all the way around your bow & stern ends to to keep the line away from a anchor line.  Nice thing about your 8' is a super light weight anchor needed to stop a bass. I would drop the anchor from right beside your seat. simple and allows swinging the rod around the anchor rope very quickly.  I a pinch.  You can also do a fast ?  pedaling turn to keep the line from wrapping around the anchor. 

Enjoy those biggies.   ?

 

I use a piece of straight S S shaft with a S S eye bolt welded onto the end.  Mine is 2.5 " in diameter& 18 inches long. Bonus is it is almost TOTALLY weedless. But does hold a 16 foot boat & 30 hp motor in a good breeze.

A length of S S chain would work also. Might store easier on centerline of boat ?