Like for me, everytime I go, I take a long bread for lunch and then a nice slow meditative coffee. I’ve tried drifting but I invariably drift into bank or something. I’ve tried a number of anchoring systems. The basic issue is I just don’t lug around any more gear than absolutely necessary. I’m currently taking something that looks like a jumper cable clip that you can attach to a stick or clump of marshgrass or something and clip the other end with a carabiner to your boat. It’s lightweight, fits in my day hatch and works fine. I more often beach if for no other reason because I want to stretch my legs. Sometimes beach flies make that a less than desirable option.
I prefer to come ashore and give the hindquarters a break.
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I tend to beach, stretch the legs and find a spot to make the ol’ bladder gladder.
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breaks (when I paddle alone):
- for my daily, short paddle, no need for long breaks, will take a quick drink of water at halfway (5mi) point.
- for my ‘long’ paddle on weekends (30 to 40 mi), I’ll take a 5 min (or less) break every hour. For lunch will stop on water for maybe a 15 break (no land stops on the trip).
btw, the day hatch holds everything I will (normally) need during the long paddle.
I keep ‘emergency’ gear (extra water, clothing, etc) in the rear bulkhead - which I can still access (open and close) while on water.
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One of the reasons I rarely paddle with groups any more is the fondness for hour+ long lunch/swim breaks. If I stop paddling for that long, I have to warm up all over again.
Lunch on the water is my preference. My trick is to back my stern into a clump of marsh grass or shallow sandy bottom, pointing my bow into any current or wind, or find someplace protected. Sometimes it helps to put the paddle across the spray skirt, under your PFD to lock it in place, and lay one blade on shore (or a log or rock). Then just lean a tiny bit on the paddle and you’re pinned to the shore.
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For the OP…I used to fish from my kayak. Usually in shallow water going for redfish leaving the flats on a falling tide. I. Used s 4-5 ft piece of 1/2 or 3/4 PVC pipe tied to a 6 or so ft piece of 550 cord. This “stake out pole” would allow me to anchor at a tide run.
Lunch…usually I’m good for 2 hours then I HAVE to get out and stretch. That usually puts us 5 or 6 miles somewhere. If it’s the Harris chain of lakes I like to make it the fish camp on Dead River, put the boats on the dock next to our table and have a burger. 
But on most others it’s 15 minutes+/-, snack, plumbing check and go back to the launch. Then go get some lunch.
For an extended break, I’ll always opt for the beach. It feels good to get the kinks out and stretch.
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When paddling Monterey Bay (or other places with kelp forests), I’ve grabbed a stalk of kelp and draped it across my front deck to anchor myself for an on-the-water break.
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