Anchoring and drifting questions

Hi all. I’m new to kayaks but grew up wade fishing and fishing from boats. 99% of my fishing is inshore saltwater. I got a kayak to get into the skinnier cuts, bayous, lakes, etc.

I’m having a hard time fishing from the kayak with the wind and current. Seems like all I’m doing is reeling slack out of my line and not working the lure.

How do y’all combat windy days? I’ve read you can anchor from the back of the kayak to swing the front around to where you’re casting. Stern anchoring is a big no no on boats but is it alright in kayaks?

What size drift socks do y’all recommend? Or do you recommend them at all?

Thanks for all the replies, right now all I’m doing is paddling to a spot and getting out and wading.

Anchor trolley, lots of YouTube videos on those. Drift socks, too.

It's hard to beat a stake out pole like the Yak Attack Park N Pole in shallow water. You can make one yourself pretty inexpensively too, lots of youtube videos. FYI any pole over 8' wont do much for anchoring, it would be more of a push pole at that point.

In skinney water second the steak out pole. I am a firm belever the first thing a person needs on their kayak is an anchor trolley. That is a saftey excessory imo. That allows you to adjust how your boat is facing in the wind and also how it will drift. Carefull in stiff current anchoring or drifting. Either way its important to have both on a easy quick release clip. Big drift socks are good. I like 42". I keep the rope short 3 ft or so. You can drift slowly down the shoreline and cast how you want. I keep my paddle wedged between my thighs and under the bottom of my pfd so i can make a quick corrective stroke if necessary. Anchoring you can use 2 anchoring methods at 1 time example, steak out pole and anchor or one anchor and a simple 5 or 10 lb dumbell to keep you from moving.

Ah yes, another fan of the dumbell for an anchor.
I got tired of losing anchors to the rocks and brush in my old catfish holes, and started using a dumbell.
It's shape seems to not snag or wedge in the rocks and brush, and if it does it is easier to work free, and if you lose one they are cheap enough you can buy a spare or two.
You don't need a lot of weight to hold a kayak in position, unless the bottom is clean and the wind is up with wave action.
For that I will break out the Bruce's Claw anchor. They store nicely into a rod holder on your kayak.
Interesting video!

OP in winds it's best to anchor and fish the area then move a little, anchor and fish. You can either use an anchor (mushroom or dumbell anchors are handy) or a stake-out pole. You can buy a 6' stake-out pole for upwards of $80 or build one for about $10 that works just as good.

I built these for less than $10 each. Used a 5' fiberglass tree stake from Walmart. The 5 footers are 1/2" diameter. They have 6 footers that are 3/4" diameter. For me I prefer the 5 footers. They pull out of the mud easier. I used 1/2" class 400 irrigation pipe and a 1/2" tee/caps for the head (pipe & fittings found at Lowes and Home Depot). Glued it on the fiberglass stake with Marine Goop.

I took an old probing rod from work. Basically a 5' long 1/2" diameter steel pole with a T-handle. Still haven't invested in an anchor trolley. I've only fished the creeks north of the inter coastal in Matagorda and some of the cuts between port A and Corpus. I'm still a little intimidated by paddling into the open bay. I'm really enjoying my little cheap kayak so far! I've caught quite a few fish I'm water I never thought I could access before.

I use a 36" drift sock attached with short lanyard with float. Tied to front of PA 14 and a parachute cord tied to small end of drift sock and then clips to rail next to my seat. When I want to pull in the sock I pull the para cord in which dumps the sock. I drift backwards with 4 rods in holders. This works very well on lakes for catfish and even in the bays for Reds or Specks.

I don’t follow you or understand why you say “FYI any pole over 8’ won’t do much for anchoring??
I use a micro power pole with 10’ pole and it works great. In fact I originally used an 8’ pole but found it would only hold in about 5-1/2’ of depth so I found a 10’ x-3/4” rod from all places….Grainger for about $50.00. The 8’ pole from power pole was $100.00+
I’m not looking to debate or question your opinion but wondering if I’m missing out on another yakkers experience! What has happened that you say that? My experience has been good so far even in very windy conditions.

I get to fishing grounds, step off the yak and lead it behind me on a “leash” as I wade and fish. Pull it to me to change lures or drop a trout in the cooler(my boat can hold a 48 qt cooler). I do have a drift sock for covering large flats, especially when white bass/hybrid fishing. I only anchor or tie up for catfish. I do like the homemade anchor pole that was suggested. If I bass fished at all I would make one!

As all stated, get the anchor trolley and get familiar with how your kayak reacts to your mentioned conditions. Also, I love to wade so I like to anchor or beach my kayak. I've never been the one who likes to sit anyway.