Do you prefer to have your anchor from the front or the rear or the side?

Drifting from the side, front or back depends on how much wind. Tons of wind i like it in the rear, mild wind i pref the front

If I'm anchored in open water out away from the bank on structure and with wind blowing, I'll generally have the wind at my back with the anchor at the rear, just because I can make longer casts than into the wind.
Otherwise with little to no wind, it wouldn't make much difference front or rear.
Working a shoreline and anchoring to hold position, I might position the anchor in the middle.

Side. Easier to reach.

Side is better for getting a good rod spread too, thats why i drift sideways.

I have mine mounted as close to full length as possible on the right side of my kayak. I cast right handed and with the trolley on the same side it cocks the nose of my kayak slightly to the right when I'm anchored or drifting with my trolley ran all the way to the back of my kayak. This puts my rods (which are stored vertically in my crate) over my left shoulder giving me more clearance to cast with my right arm. When the wind allows I prefer to drift sideways with my feet hanging off the left side of my kayak and the sock or anchor centered off the right side of my kayak with the trolley. This puts the rods and tankwell to my left giving me ample room to cast with my right arm.

Since i am getting so much good information. What size drift sock would y'all suggest? 24in?

36"

WOW!!!!! that was the size I had for the 18' boat I used to have.

sirJet: I agree with Christian. Doesn't seem logical, but he's right. IslandJim

Well i guess i don't have to go buy another one. WooHoo

Depends on the wind and where I am trying to throw. If its windy though from the back or the front so the the yak faces into the wind with the front or back... dont want it broadside to the wave action.

I now have enough information to be dangerous. Thanx guys.

When fishing saltwater, like in a channel, I mostly move anchor ring towards bow so I can face and cast upstream and let lures come down stream.

Same thing if I fish fresh water in a creek with a bit of flow I anchor similarly. But in this situation I normally use a clamp instead of anchor for attaching to a root or branch on the bank.

I guess fishing in currents the only way the lures will work right is down stream so turn the kayak to face that way is the way to go.

However there are times when a few people are fishing the same hole in a creek, I have to fish in an opposite orientation but that's fine (crappie fishing scenario).

Sometimes (like when crappie fishing during shallow spawning), you'll need to anchor in a pond or a cove, but the target area is the bank. Then you'll just have to set the anchor and let the wind tell you which way to set the ring so that you'll face the right direction.

Thats really the answer here. That and do not set up to take waves broadside of the yak. All you need to know.