The 10" anchor will lay flat on its side
when anchored. The wind doesn’t affect that type of anchor adversely. In a current, it could, conceivably slide, but you probably shouldn’t be using an anchor in those conditions. My primary anchor is a sash weight, similar in size to the anchor you made. It just sits. As a secondary anchor, I have a couple of 1 1/4" solid steel rods…taken from an illegal trotline I hung up on that also had corroded hooks. Smaller in diameter, but they hold.
now that i have my anchor built
where should I tie it off to on my boat when it’s in use? Should I install a cleat?
Also, my rod holders and milk crate are in the works. My only dilema here is that the edges of the PVC are so sharp that I think I’m going to scuff up my reels pretty badly…any suggestions here?
I use an anchor trolley. That allows
me to position the anchor so that the wind is not blowing me around so bad. Usually, the anchor is at the bow of the boat. On a lake, I’ll position at the stern with the anchor to avoid wind blowing into my face and to help with casting. I use bait casting reels almost exclusively these days and they don’t cast as well into the wind. Sometimes, I’ll put one anchor out at the bow, one at the stern to hold steady in the wind. For that, I’ve another trolley on the other side of the kayak. On my solo canoe, I have a split trolley system with both on the same side. One controls the front anchor, the other the back anchor.
If the wind is milde…like below 3 mph…I’ll sometimes just drop the anchor over the side. Most of the time, I let out the full length of anchor line, about 25 ft. When you do that, you have to plan where you want your boat to wind up. But, I find the kayak or canoe to ride the waves a bit better. If I fished deeper water, my anchor rope would be 50 ft long, but I don’t like to handle that much rope from a kayak or canoe. boil water in the morning.
But, where possible, I prefer using my brush anchor, a big clip that I hook to branches or stick-ups and other objects. When using the brush anchor, I anchor fairly close to the boat at the middle part where I sit. Drifting is a another good option. A drift sock will slow your rate of drift down. Its a great way to search for fish. If lure or fly fishing, you cast as you drift. Or, with bait, your bait just drifts with your boat.
Anchor Tie Off and PVC Rod Holders
I run piece of coarse sandpaper around the edges of my PVC rodholders to smooth things out. Nothing drastic just a couple of swipes to remove the burrs. I also cut a slot in one side so the reel foot will slip into that and provide a more security.
For my anchor tie off I tie a loop in my rope and thread the rope and carabiner around something like the seat rail in my kayak or the thwart in my canoe, then clip the carabiner into the loop. If I need to unhook real quick I just have to unclip the carabiner and I’m free. Another method I sometimes use is to attach the rope to the boat with a tautline hitch. Very easy to release if needed.
I apply the KISS principle to my canoe and kayak fishing. The more crap I bring or attach to the boat, the more chance there is for a potential problem.
djohn
Don’t know if this could help, but you mentioned an ice chest. I got one of the sft ice chest for bringing food home from Sm’s club. It may fit under the front of your boat. It will hold a lot of smaller fish or a large one. Just thought I’d throw that one in. If it doesn’t work for you, maybe it will give you more ideas. I have a SOT so I have my ice chest all the way in the back of my tankwell, behind my office crate. I have to lay my fish in the floor of my boat, or paddle over to an oyster bar to get out and put the fish in the ice chest. i am hoping the soft ice chest will fit up front so I can reach it.
Hey Rouse
that sounds interesting. WHat brand is it?
LOON 138T
WHEN FISHING FROM A GRUMMAN CANOE I USED A FLOATING FISH BASKET HANGING OVER THE SIDE TO KEEP MY FISH IN AS I CAUGHT THEM.IT KEPT THEM ALIVE AND WELL.CHECK YOUR FISH ONCE IN A WHILE TO MAKE SURE NONE HAVE DIED,I NEVER HAD ONE DIE UNLESS IT HAD BEEN GUT OR GILL HOOKED. IF SO THEN YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE ICE CHEST. YOU CAN BUY ONE AT WALLY MART IN DIFFERENT SIZES OR CHECK OUT BASS PRO.THE LID ON THE TOP IS THE FLOAT WHICH OPENS INWARD SO YOU CAN HOLD YOUR FISH AND PUSH THE FISH IN AND LET GO.JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT IN BRUSHY AREAS SO IT DOESN’T GET HUNG UP AND MAKE SURE THE FISH IS ALL THE WAY IN BEFORE YOU LET GO,NOT THAT I EVER DID THAT OF COURSE.
well fella’s
Here’s a link to some of the stuff I’ve been building. Take a look…give me some feedback.
Thanks all.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/djohnalyn/Photo_122807_004.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/djohnalyn/Photo_122807_002.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/djohnalyn/Photo_122807_001.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/djohnalyn/Photo_122707_004.jpg
Lookin’ Good!
Your are getting it together very nicely. I like the kayak cart you built!
Soft ice chest
djohn, all it says on the front is High performance. I am not sure if that is the actual brand. It is a tyhermal freezer bag that Sam’s sells for take home frozen foods. I guess it is about 2 ft wide and maybe not quite as tall. I believe it cost about $10. I have not used it yet, but I think it will work out OK. It is made in China, of course, but it look like it will hold up well. There is a website on the back of the tag. www.californiainnovations.com. The ad on the tag says it is leakproof, easy clean, heavy duty base, holds up to 14 gallons in the open position. It has a zippered closure on it. It also says it will hold an 18 inch pizza. It was recommended to me by someone else.
best part is…
…the wheels on that cart are on sale ar harbor freight for $4.99. For a moment I thought about buying several pairs and making carts for others. I used the sch-80 threaded pvc so the entire cart can be taken apart, and, it’s wicked strong! I think my total for all pieces including the nylon strap was s bit less then $40. If I went with the white-weak pvc it would have cost about $10-12 less.
Hey Rouse, if you look at the picture of my milk crate setup, you will see that I have a small ice chest(snack & drink holder) installed. The one I picked to use has a little flip top on it for easy access. Get this, it’s a california- innovations too!
After I dug it out of storage I took it inside to wash it and I noticed that the hard inside plastic liner is removable. Better yet, when I removed it I noticed that it’s by far the thickest and strongest plastic liner that I have seen in an ice chest of this size. All of the others that I’ve come across were flimsy and broke with ease. Therefore, if this is any indication of how california innovations make their stuff, I’m all over it!
Looks good. The one thing you may
want to change is to put the PVC holders on the outside for the crate rather than inside, gives more room inside to carry goodies.
Why didn’t I think of that
Great Idea!! I have two milk crates set up and both have the PVC pipe inside reducing the room I have. Thanks for the suggestion.
hey yak
I thought about that, but then I considered how little room I have in the cockpit of the loon.
My crate is one of the extra long office depot jobs, and with my new seat configuration it fits real nice with the holders on the inside. I used this style crate because I already owned it.
However, when I get to the point when I think I will need more holders, I will likely acquire a smaller, standard size crate and mount holders on all sides of the outside perimeter. This way I will have full use of the interior for storage.
Another question… if you notice I have shock cord connecting my landing net to my rig; is this a good idea?
I just stick my net in one of the PVC
holders. The fewer cords attached to things the better. Of course, my net is a large aluminum one with a short handle, paid about $6 for it, so no great loss if I loose it. Most nets float, the few times I’ve “lost” mine, it was floating in the water. All that said, I hate nets, they have a tendency to tangle in everything. But, love 'em when netting an eight pound fish.
Co
A big fish can break cable ties, so
if you use your rod holders for still fishing, you may want to consider bolt them in if on the outside, not that I’ve done it myself. I use three cable ties on each rod holder. The best way, if you chose to bolt the holders in is to drill a hole large enough on one side of the pipe that you can work a bolt in to the smaller bolt hole that the bolt fits in. Just something I learned from a friend and trying to do it without the larger hole on a shallow crate I use on the bow of my Loon.
again
good idea to drill a large hole to access the nut/bolt. I did bolt in that small piece of PVC that holds my pliers and hook remover, but it was short enough that I could easily get my finger in there to insert the bolt.
Question Now that I have my PVC holders, without destroying them how should I go about cutting out the notches in them for the reel leg?
rigged
I wanted to thank you guys for all the suggestions. I reconfigured my seat, built my crate, PVC rod holders, anchor system, yak dolly, paddle and rod leashes, and a custom clamp with a built in shelf, cup holder, and a Scotty rod holder on top.
Furthermore, and best of all, I took my rig out and caught my first RED!!!
I was close to shore when I hooked him, and he pulled me ashore (short sleigh ride, but fun). I then jumped out of my yak, picked up my red, and held him and my hands up high in the “V-is-for-victory” position for about 30 seconds.
I took him home that night, cleaned him up, cooked him right, and ate like a king.
I’m officially hooked!
late to the party
Sorry for coming in late to the party. You rigged up some nice looking stuff. I’m glad you got it all working together. Have a blast and stay safe!
I paddled a 138T and found it to be too slow to turn for my kind of paddling, but for what you seem to be doing it’s a good platform. You’ve got all the distance you need to turn out in the flats. I think even I could turn a kayak around before getting to Mexico.
- Big D
Good for you. My 138 has lead me
to lots of fish and fun on the water. Planned on fishing this weekend in mine, but too much rain, everything has been blown out. Your story makes me jealous.