First, before I forget, let me credit yakntexas for the idea. For his shallow water anchor, go to 1:42 into this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FKA1p0dl2Y

No need for all of that epoxy goop. I just used deck pad eyes with well nuts, two on each end of the dumbbell: one to secure a carabiner through which the line to the anchor is run, the other for another to tether the assembly via a shock cord back to the O-ring on an anchor trolley.

Well, it works just as advertised. How does running a line through a carabiner keep it from unfurling? Think of how a single finger on a spinning reel stops the release of the line from the spool. The same principle at work here.

The big advantage? For me it was not having to design some sort of spool for my anchor line. This way, instead of having a hank of rope lying around, It floats outside the boat until I reel it up and bring it in.

Cons? It does twist a bit and I need to sit down and figure out where I need to place a swivel in the assembly. And, this would be great for back in coves and so forth in shallow water. I think it seems to work well in water a bit deeper than one could use a stake out pole. I think I anchored out yesterday in water as deep as about 20 feet deep and it seemed good but if you follow the rule of 3X as much line out as depth (to get a good bite angle), so 10' would be 30' of line out, there is some thinking to factor in there.

Brad

3rd time I went out I didn't have any type of anchor. So I found a piece of brick on the bank, tied some 550 cord to it, and chunked it out there. Worked like a charm! But I have been looking at this type of assembly as well. Thanks for the info.

RJ,

Although I posted to the kayak group . . . because its members would seem to be the most in need of something like this, I actually fish out of a Meyers S-15 fishing canoe. Canoes are much worse than kayaks as regards drifting across water, sort of like leaves blowing across the top of even pretty dead water.

I think good anchoring and/or positioning technique is critical for fishing out of kayaks, canoes and floaters. If you are moving and drifting, a whole lot of fishing presentations just won't work. For others, a slow drift is surely okay.

I'll likely add a little second anchor of some sort so that if my vessel is working back and forth at the end of the anchor line, I can pin it at the point in the sweep where I deem the best position to be.

Let us know how it works out if you rig one up and discover any modifications.

Brad