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Whether you want to camp out at your favorite fishing spot, dive in for a swim, or just relax on the water while soaking up the sun, you need a strong anchor you can count on to hold your kayak in place and keep it from drifting away. The 10 best kayak anchor systems featured below are all top-rated kayak anchors.
They are the right size for kayaks, have great holding power on all bottom conditions, and fold down compact enough to stow in a kayak. In addition, our buying guide explains the features to pay attention to so you can pick the kayak anchor for your needs.
OUR TOP PICK
Extreme Max 3006.6675 Folding/Grapnel
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Short term holds in low to no currents
- Great holding power on sandy, rocky, and weedy bottoms
- Sturdy and durable stainless steel construction
- Folding anchor for kayak and comes with a cover
Sizes: 1.5 lbs., 3.5 lbs., 5.5 lbs., 7 lbs., 9 lbs., 13 lbs.
Rope: N/A
Construction: Stainless Steel
EDITORS CHOICE
Kwik-Tek Complete Grapnel
- Kwik-Tek Complete Grapnel
- Best For: Complete system with anchor, rope, buoy, and snap hook
- Great grip on mud, sand, gravel, and rock bottoms
- Folding anchor stows easily and has a padded protective case
- Thick coating protects the anchor from degrading elements
Sizes: 3-1/3lbs., 5-1/2lbs.
Rope: 25 feet
Construction: Coated Steel
BEST VALUE
Extreme Max 3006.6548 BoatTector Grapnel
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Fantastic value for money
- Complete anchor kit with anchor, line, buoy, snap hook, and padded bag
- Anchor has a fantastic grip on coral, rocky, or weeded bottoms
- Line and buoy are quick-drying and resistant to mold and mildew
Size: 3.5 lbs.
Rope: 25 feet
Construction: Painted/Galvanized
attwood 11959-1 Universal 3lb Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: 3lbs. anchor for holding in mud, sand, gravel, and rock
- Grapnel anchor kit includes 20 feet rope and mesh bag
- Compact folded size is easy to store in a kayak
- Galvanized steel construction is resistant to the elements
Size: 3lbs.
Rope: 20 feet
Construction: Galvanized Steel
Gradient Fitness 3.5 lb Folding Marine
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Incredible strength for its size
- Solid grip on sandy, weedy, muddy, or rocky bottoms
- Comes with a marine-grade rope, PVC buoy, and stainless snap hook
- Padded storage bag mutes noise and protects both kayak and anchor
- Marine-grade anchor is heavy-duty and rust-resistant
Size: 3lbs.
Rope: 25 feet
Construction: Coated Metal
Seachoice Folding Grapnel
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Best kayak sea anchor
- Excellent four flukes design holds on any seafloor
- Lockable in both open and closed positions
- Compact and easy to stow in your kayak when not in use
Sizes: 1.5lb, 3.5lb, 5.5lb, 7lb, 9lb, or 13lb
Rope: N/A
Construction: Galvanized Malleable Iron
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Kayak fishing anchor kit
- Grip design holds well on all bottom conditions
- Anchor comes with 50 feet long anchor rode
- Includes a kayak anchor trolley system for maneuverability
Size: 3.25lbs.
Rope: 50 feet
Construction: Metal
CalPalmy 2-in-1 Dry Bag Sand
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Space-efficient and multi-purpose anchor system
- Serves triple duty on a kayak - anchor, dry bag, and buoy
- Bright yellow and red hues for visibility in the water
- Fully waterproof with a PVC material and welded seams
Bag Capacity: 50 pounds
Rope: 12 Feet
Construction: Heavy-Duty PVC
AIRHEAD Small
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Anchoring small kayaks in shallower and calmer waters
- Kit includes 15 ft. anchor line and a stainless spring hook
- Smooth finish and padded storage bag won't scuff your kayak
- High-visibility bright red grapnel anchor and bright yellow rope
Size: 1.5lbs.
Rope: 15 feet
Construction: Painted Metal
OLIVIA & AIDEN 2 Pack Folding
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Best For: Secure hold with more horizontal drag
- Includes two anchor systems with anchor, line, buoy, and bag
- Drifting anchor holds effectively on all kinds of bottoms
- Folds up compact for storage inside a kayak
Size: 3.5lbs.
Rope: 40 feet
Construction: Galvanized Steel
How To Choose A Kayak Anchor – Buying Guide
Anchor Size
What size anchor for kayak to get comes down to the size of your kayak, and the conditions you will be mooring in. The kayak anchors are between 3 and 3.5 pounds in size. This is sufficient anchor weight for kayaks to keep most kayaks moored under normal conditions. However, you will also come across a 1.5lbs kayak anchor weight for small kayaks. On the other hand, heavy anchor systems for kayaks up to 13lbs in size are designed for large and heavy kayaks or anchoring in rough conditions.
Anchor Type
Grapnel anchors are ideal for kayaks, as they are lightweight yet effective in a wide range of anchoring situations. Furthermore, they fold compact for space-saving storage. Plow or scoop-style anchors for kayaks are excellent all-around anchors for all bottom types. If you simply want your kayak to move slowly along, a drift chute is a good alternative to anchors for kayaks.
Mounting Requirements
When choosing an anchor kayak system, it’s a good idea to find out how to anchor kayak with it. Your kayak will probably have an anchoring point from where you will cast the anchor from. If not, then you’ll have to add some mounting plates to your kayak. As for how to attach an anchor to a kayak, the ideal position to attach the anchor is either the front or back of the kayak.
Anchor Essentials
While an anchor is a major part of kayak anchoring systems, it’s only but one part. Other essential components for anchoring a kayak include an anchor line/rode, a floating buoy, and a hook. Some kayak anchor kits come will all these essentials, while some only include the anchor and require you to get the other accessories separately.
FAQs
Q: How Heavy Should An Anchor Be For A Kayak?
3 to 3.5lbs. is a good anchor weight for kayaks. This is heavy enough to keep most kayaks in place in calm conditions or with a mild current. If you have a large kayak or will be anchoring in rough conditions, you will need a heavier anchor, and anchors for kayaks can be as heavy as 13lbs.
Q: Do I Need An Anchor For My Kayak?
If you plan to stop and fish, swim, or relax while on the water, you need an anchor for your kayak. An anchor system for a kayak will keep the kayak exactly where you want it, and ensure you don't drift away with the wind and current.
Q: How Do You Anchor A Kayak In A Lake?
Paddle to the position you want to anchor yourself in, and then open the flukes of the anchor making sure that they are securely locked in. From the bow or stern, cast the anchor into the water and wait for it to sink to the bottom. When it does, pull it toward yourself and allow the anchor to grip the bottom. Once you have a secure anchor, tie it to your kayak with a strong anchor knot.
Q: How Long Should A Kayak Anchor Line Be?
Kayak anchor lines should be around 3-5 times longer than the depth of the water you’ll be anchoring kayak in. If the water is 10 feet deep, you will need 30 to 50 feet of anchor line. The reason is that you will need to let out plenty of anchor rope so the wings can dig into the bottom.
Globo Surf Overview
The best kayak anchor is one of the essential kayaking accessories. Hopefully, our reviews and explanation of the features to look for will help you get the best anchor for your kayak so you’ll be able to fish, swim, or relax in your kayak without it drifting away.
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