Kayak Anchor and seat

[hardwaterfishing]

I recently bought a SOT kayak. It’s been a lot of fun so far, my only complaint is the seat that came with it. Does anyone have any reconditions for a seat? I have been looking on hsolist and they are anywhere from 20 to 150... Another question, I am thinking about rigging up an anchor trolley system. What size anchor do you recommend? i was thinking a 3.5lb. Thanks!

[ted4887]

Anchors are tough, as it will really depend on wind and current. However, You can generally get away with the 3.5 on normal days with no current. Anytime you get much of either, you'll want something a bit heavier. I'm now using an 8lb, and really like it.

What is uncomfortable about the seat? Is it a backrest issue, or a butt issue? If it's the latter, try looking for some seat pads at Austin Kayak. Surf to Summit pads generally get good reviews. As far as backrests go, I don't have enough experience with it to give you any advice.

[hardwaterfishing]

Thanks Ted. The most uncomfortable feature about the seat is that it’s only a backrest maybe 8 inches tall and I sit right on the plastic.

[ted4887]

Yeah, the seats on pretty much every sit on tops are terrible. If there was one feature I'd always get the upgrade for, it's the seat.

[OnAFly]

I've got the 3.5lb on my 12ft canoe. It's held in current on the Croix, but that was probably due to catching a rock just right. It's held on lakes in moderate wind (~10mph). I could definitely use more weight sometimes, but most of the time it works well, for a 12ft canoe at least.

[Wabamskee]

I'm using a 1.5 lb in my 12 ft kayak...DON'T DO IT!!! My logic was, wow...they make a 1.5 lb anchor. I can't think of any boats lighter than a kayak, I'd imagine this anchor was built for a purpose, perhaps it will work on a tiny watercraft?

Nope.

I was thinking about upgrading to a 3 lb claw. Are you guys using mushroom anchors or claws?

[ted4887]

Mushroom for me, although the claw would be better IMO. Fleet Farm had them on sale for like $8, so that's the reason I'm using it.

[OnAFly]

Mine's a retracting claw. It seems to work well enough in the conditions in which I'll be in a canoe (not a raging river or whitecaps).

[Wabamskee]

Been on a few white caps this year...sometimes you just want to fish I turned in the 1.5 for a 3lb claw. We'll see if that's enough. If not, I'm upgrading to a 5 or 6lb.

We should set up a time to yak the root! I'll pm you guys soon...just waiting on slab to pickup his rig.

[OnAFly]

I lied, I was on whitecaps the other day...in current. I didn't even bother with the anchor. I just paddled to some less turbulent water.

I did bring my Vexilar with and was amazed at how many fish I was seeing on there. It was kind of eye opening to see where fish were sitting in relation to where I had fished before.

[Wabamskee]

That is interesting...where you using a suction cup transducer, or a boat mount? I have my Hummingbird 385ci mounted to the yak which is insane. Its way too much fun! I haven't hit rivers yet, so don't really have exp in current, but that will change very soon.