5. Install an Anchor Trolley
a kayak will always swing to the downwind or downstream
side of the anchor, which might leave you facing the wrong
direction if you have only one cleat as an attachment point
on your rig. a smart solution is to install an anchor trolley,
which is essentially a moveable cleat. Many are homemade
(see Youtube for ideas) with a ring or cleat attached to a
looped cord or cable strung between two pulleys. slide the
ring forward or backward to the ideal position and connect
the anchor. While not as effective as twin shallow-water
anchors on a Ranger, anchor trolley systems work surpris-
ingly well in most situations, and can be rigged on a kayak in
little time.
6. Stick an Anchor Pin
another shallow-water anchoring option is an anchor pin,
which is sort of like a power-pole without the power. push the
stake into the bottom and then tie it off to the hull, or slide it
through the kayak’s scupper hole if you’re in a sit-on-top
kayak. the kayak could still spin during the retrieve, however,
if wind or current isn’t persistent enough to keep it facing one
direction.
7. Strategize Lure Selection
An anchor trolley
lets you adjust
the tie point on
the kayak.
46
once armed with the proper rods and reels and the nec-
essary equipment to hold in position, a kayak angler should
stock a tackle box with lures capable of excelling in the cir-
cumstances. as noted earlier, skipping is a routine presenta-
tion, so choose lures that skip well on spinning gear. small
jigs are hard to beat, as are senkos and Zoom flukes. don’t
forget a few extra jig skirts and a bottle of glue to secure trail-
ers when skipping repeatedly.
for covering water in a kayak, it’s best to rely on user-
friendly lures for chunking and winding. cranks might pro-
duce, but due to boat positioning difficulties, it’s best to rig
weedless options that match spinning gear. chatterBaits and
the like work well, as do small buzzbaits and buzz toads. a
personal favorite is a Zoom ultra vibe speed Worm rigged
with a 1/16-ounce weight pegged ahead of it. it’s virtually
impossible to hang up, casts like a bullet and is appealing to
bass of all sizes.
thankfully, there are plenty of bass waiting in some rela-
tively untouched waters where only a kayak can gain access.
consider these equipment tips to help you get there and
capitalize on the opportunities you find.
FLWFISHING.COM I JULY 2018