I may get my stepson a kayak.

how do kayakers anchor on a brush pile? I assume yall have an anchor. Does a kayak stay anchored in about 8 mph winds pretty well? do you anchor front and back?

How I do it is. Once the brush is located put a marker on it. I use the wind to keep me somewhat close. Then I anchor about 20 to 30 yards upwind from the marker. Then I use my short paddle to move me left or right near the marker. i am not sure if it is perfect but it is how I do it.

I would think a low profile kayak would stay anchored better than my bass tracker
thx for the info

the wind is the key to it all. After you place the marker. I stop rowing and see which way the wind and current is taking me. Then place the yak in the position for the wind to carry me right to the marker. I use the anchor trolley and run the anchor to the back of my yak so that I can fish right off the front over the structure. I am still learning this.

The higher the kayak sits in the water the heavier/bigger the anchor will need to be. I've had Bruce claw style anchors hold at times but in 12-15 mph winds (that's about my max in a kayak) the only thing I've found that'll hold my Pro Angler 14 is a 8 lb boat anchor. I have a much lower profile Viking kayak that will hold fine with a Bruce claw style anchor.

There is a learning curve when it comes to fishing from a kayak, and wind, any wind effects a kayak more than it does a larger boat you may be used to.
You are going to be constantly adjusting your lines while using more than one rod, and fishing straight down over structure is usually the easiest method to use, unless you are just randomly casting.
An anchor trolley system is pretty much a necessity if you are going to use an anchor.
Once you gain experience wind is manageable, but wind will always be something a kayaker will have to learn to deal with.

Anchor trolleys can be used with a stake out pole, an anchor, with a brush clip, or drift anchor.





https://1source.basspro.com/news-tips/kayaking/7712/anchor-trolley-system-kayaking-do-i-need

Having a kayak anchored can be dangerous. Just be sure you have a quick release of some kind and a float at the top of the line so you don't lose your anchor if you have to cut it loose.

Wayne

Having a Kayak anchored in current is dangerous. Slow moving/slack water will generally not be a problem. I say generally because there can always be "extenuating circumstances", like an a-hole in a power boat or a sudden wind storm.
I set up pretty much as SirJet does, except I generally try to leave 10 feet or so between me and the marker or markers and cast to them. My anchor is a 5 lb grappling hook style that can be use with the flukes open or closed. In low wind or water with lots of brush, I will toss it out with the flukes closed. If the wind is over about 5 MPH, or I start to drift, I'll set it out with the flukes opened.
I don't have a chain on my anchor, but I do have it tied to the bottom, with a small zip tie cinching the rope (550lb parachute cord) to the top. That way if it gets stuck, I can break the tie and pull it out backwards. I used to have a medium zip tie on it, until I almost lost it due to not being able to break the tie. you lose a LOT of leverage in a 30-something inch wide plastic boat.

Kirk B.

If you kayak fish long enough you'll learn that one of your most likely scenarios for dumping will involve an anchor. For anyone just starting out I think its best to get used to fishing and paddling, feeling comfortable with your particular kayak. You'll get plenty of opportunities to see what problems can occur just trying to get a hook or lure unstuck from bottom, while in kayak to see what could happen with an anchor line. Best to have someone with experience with anchoring a kayak to show you how it should be done most safely and explain the problems that can occur.

i also vote no anchors
learned the hard way, but didn't tip over

The main reason I don't like claw type anchors!
The best anchor I've found as an all around good anchor is just a plain old dumb bell anchor that you get from the weight/exercise dept. at Academy.
They are cheap and the rubber coated ones are quiet and work well except in a strong wind where a claw anchor shines.
I'll use a claw anchor when it calls for one, but you have to never get too aggressive trying to unstick one.

I use this method and haven't had an issue with a claw anchor since.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-CjYJhFYAA

I also use the method suggested by Schpanky. Got me out of two snags so far. Just remember to carry extra ties.

I use the method Schpanky does as well. I also never connect my anchor line to my anchor trolley. I use an extension cord holder with a float to hold my anchor line. That goes in the water. I have about a 10' length of rope tied to that that goes through the anchor trolley and gets tied with a quick release knot to a cleat by my seat. If for any reason I need to disconnect from my anchor I tug the quick release and let go. When I'm ready to recover my anchor I just paddle over to the float and recover it. That way in an emergency I'm not trying to move the anchor trolley and untie or unclip from it.

(Hopefully that makes sense...I'm a better engineer than writer.)