I currently have a set of Perception Access 9.5s. They're no frills recreational kayaks and I'm pretty happy with them. My biggest current challenge fishing from them is dealing with wind. 

 

I fish mostly shallow water with soft bottom and wind conditions that are often in the teens and rarely drop below 10 MPH. 

 

Do you have a suggestion for an anchoring solution? I was considering tying a folding kayak anchor to the bow/stern carry handle. Pole anchors look appealing as well, but I don't really have a good storage solution for what feels like a very long pole when not anchored and paddling. I'd rather not drill into my kayaks as I am not very handy and I worry about water coming into the hull.

An 8lb dumbbell with a 50' anchor lead works well. I have been using for years.

FM

Just put an anchor wizard on and be done with it.  if you’re always anchored to the bow then you can never fish downwind and vice versa with the stern.  

You need some sort of anchor / trolley system. It’s minimal drilling into the boat, and you just use a good marine grade silicone. Trust me. YOU CAN DO IT and you will be happy you did. 

My friend has a clamp he attaches to the nearest branch.  He’s excellent w it and will put on a clinic while im

bring pushed about. 

12 hours ago, stk44 said:

You need some sort of anchor / trolley system. It’s minimal drilling into the boat, and you just use a good marine grade silicone. Trust me. YOU CAN DO IT and you will be happy you did. 

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence. This led me to doing some research and I think I'm convinced to get a trolly system.

 

Is there a brand to get or avoid?

Just get the YakAttack and be done with it.

1 hour ago, Rucksack said:

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence. This led me to doing some research and I think I'm convinced to get a trolly system.

 

Is there a brand to get or avoid?

I bought the one linked below. It works really well and I don’t have experience with any others. 
 

https://www.yakattack.us/LeverLoc_Anchor_Trolley_HD_p/ams-1004.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=17612034691&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17610505434&gbraid=0AAAAACdobbuzWacuJMIJVbFQeXo04Zy5X&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImsX7m4LYjQMVazRECB16sxyUEAAYASAAEgIKXvD_BwE

Thanks all! I'm ordering the Yak Attack system.

 

Their instructional video made it clear it's within even my redumentary skill set to do. 🤞 At least I think it is.

 

I feel like if I can take apart and reassemble a spinning reel, I should be able to drill a few water tight holes into a kayak hull.

https://www.dabombanchor.com/shop

I only fish rivers/streams with my kayak and use an 18" piece of 3/8" chain with the anchor line run through the front handle. If I need more anchor I use another piece of chain.  I use a clam cleat to tie the anchor off.  The 18" chain pulls up to the kayak to paddle.

I use both a stake and sometimes a hinge/danforth style anchor in high wind for the soft bottom lakes I fish.  I store the stake in the kayak by sticking the stake under the front webbing.

On 6/4/2025 at 11:19 AM, Rucksack said:

Thanks all! I'm ordering the Yak Attack system.

 

Their instructional video made it clear it's within even my redumentary skill set to do. 🤞 At least I think it is.

 

I feel like if I can take apart and reassemble a spinning reel, I should be able to drill a few water tight holes into a kayak hull.

I should mention I have this and hate it.  It will move the anchor out of reach when seated forcing you to crawl around in the kayak to try and reach the anchor or desprately tug at the skinny trolly cord to rotate the kayak to a point you can reach the anchor rope.  I gave up and just tie to the handles on the sides my Outlaw near the seat.  Not a fan of this trolly or perhaps any of them. 

As mentioned earlier, an anchor trolley is your best bet. I use a stainless 1.5# grapnel anchor but you might need a 3# anchor. It's important to rig the anchor line to the bottom of the anchor and use a zip tie on the top. This way, if snagged, you'll be able to break the cable tie and pull the anchor out from the opposite direction. A zig zag cleat is important to have to facilitate a quick release in an emergency situation. Having a knife available to be able to cut free if all else fails is equally important.

 

Anchor line management should be considered as well. There are a number of options available. I also have a small float on my anchor line so in the event I have to jettison the anchor I can later find it and retrieve it.

 

 

On 6/6/2025 at 7:21 AM, Bigbox99 said:

I use both a stake and sometimes a hinge/danforth style anchor in high wind for the soft bottom lakes I fish.  I store the stake in the kayak by sticking the stake under the front webbing.

I should mention I have this and hate it.  It will move the anchor out of reach when seated forcing you to crawl around in the kayak to try and reach the anchor or desprately tug at the skinny trolly cord to rotate the kayak to a point you can reach the anchor rope.  I gave up and just tie to the handles on the sides my Outlaw near the seat.  Not a fan of this trolly or perhaps any of them. 

my friend says the same thing.  he went with a simple set up like this.  a clamp. it clips to the tiniest and thickest branches.   he had a smaller kayak at the time and the trolly always put his anchor way out back or far out front, juuuuuusssttt out of reach. 

I wholeheartedly agree, the Brush Clamp is really useful. Can be tied off and adjusted within reach of your seat. I have a 8# bell anchor but have yet to use it as the brush clamp works easily and convenient.

Another bit that can be useful (and either tied off direct to a handle etc or a trolley, same as an anchor) is a drift chute.  In the lakes I fish, the wind often blows parallel to the shore, so a drift sock lets you very slowly get blown down the bank, but at a fixed angle and a much slower speed.  Easier than lifting and dropping an anchor every time you want to move.  Sometimes an anchor is still better though.

Use the trolley. I use a 15lb anchor shaped like this. They hold better than mushroom anchors.

 

 

Start with a simple no drill half trolley. Rig a fixed line from behind your seat to the rear. Put a float on your anchor line and clip the anchor line to your fixed line. Tie a grab line to the clip. The boat will be anchored from the rear which is what you want, but you can pull the clip to you with the grab line to pull it up. 

I use a 5lb grapnel anchor through an anchor trolley tied to a retractable clothesline reel

I use the anchor wizard with the anchor wizard anchor. It’s a mushroom type anchor. I don’t not like it, but I don’t like it either. I am going to switch it out for the tightline k5 anchor. 

Updating the thread. Purchased the YakAttack anchor trolley and installed it. Went well and has really improved my kayak fishing. Thanks for the encouragement!