i came across this chat and thought i would pass it on .these two post might help those who fish open water .

One thing you should consider, is to put a 3ft or so length of bungee cord between the anchor and rope, this will give you a bit of buffer to absorb wave action - last thing you want is to be anchored hard when a big wave comes over your bow, particularly if you're not in a scuppered yak

good call!!! I actually have the bungee up at the top, so I can reach past it and remove the bounce when I'm trying to pull the anchor free.

 this is a method that i have tried and works well . ya have a happy new year ...


fishing is life , everything else is just details . and i prefer my tails with specks or spots .15 miles NE of austin

I've found it's easier to use a stake out pole than an anchor. This keeps the wave from splashing over my 'yak when fishing and lets me hold my spot better.

Always take a knife fishing. I recently got hung up on the river and could not free myself. Paddling upstream was out of the question and pulling the line caused me to nose dip. I cut it free.

Thanks for the tips guys. Mossback and I plan to take our maidden voyage in our yaks this week-end. We plan to just fish a small pond but any other tips you guys might have for us would be appreciated.

Mrs. Mossback.

Good Luck on your Voyage. The only tip I would give you is when you come in paddle hard and hit the ramp with authority. That way you beach your yaks and exiting is much easier. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

That sounds like good advice diojisdad.

We did manage to get out 3 times. Twice just paddeling around checking out how the kayak handles, and once fishing. We both caught a few bass and bluegills. It was really a lot of fun.

It's a whole different feeling being on the water level when fishing. Sure makes the put backs really fun and easy on the fish. Although when I let one larggie go back he flipped out. He twisted around, hit on the kayak right behind me a couple of times and just about flipped back in the cockpit with me!!

Me thinks we will be using our yaks alot in the future.


Mrs Mossback

I'm glad to hear you are hooked on kayak fishing. It is always and adventure when the fish doesn't cooperate with you. One of my friends just got a 'yak and I told him that no matter what you're getting wet when fishing.

That's part of the fun of yak fishing is getting wet!  

BTW - We bought two Old Town fishing yaks that came with aan anchor pully system, but I'm not real sure of  how to set it up. Does anybody know how this actually is suppose to work?  I checked the Old Town web page and all they have is instructions on how to attach the pully system on the yak but not how to use it. Go figure!

Mrs. M

i like to just use a carabiner (like one from rock climbing) and some line and just throw it around a branch or tree. it works great if its windy or on a current

Not a bad idea Bassman. That way you don't have to worry about being swamped by any waves. Of course a tree branch must be available. )

Almost everyone down here in the South East use a chain heavy duty about 2' and then put that in a bike inner tube and add wire ties and run your line to a automatic dog leash and then you can drop the weight and won't get hung up like most weights. Some of the others are using dumb bells for weights. and then still have those old fashion people that still use hand pulling rope and drop weight. But make sure you have a sharp knife for any emergencies.