Latest Industry News

Kayak drift anchor control

Posted on
When the wind is whipping, anglers typically spend more time with a paddle in their hand positioning the kayak for the perfect cast than they do actually casting. A wind sock can fix this, if you have your boat set up the right way to deploy and retrieve the device. Follow these steps to turn wind into your friend. <p> A drift chute can quickly change wind from a kayaker’s foe into a best friend. Also called drift anchors, sea anchors and drift socks, these aquatic parachutes can keep your stern facing into the wind and provide a slow, controlled drift that lets you thoroughly fish an area. With wind from the right direction, you also can probe shelves and weedlines without setting the rod down to paddle. Deployed off the stern, you face downwind for wind-assisted casts and to keep the drift sock out of the way of the fish you hook.
When the wind is whipping, anglers typically spend more time with a paddle in their hand positioning the kayak for the perfect cast than they do actually casting. A wind sock can fix this, if you have your boat set up the right way to deploy and retrieve the device. Follow these steps to turn wind into your friend.

A drift chute can quickly change wind from a kayaker’s foe into a best friend. Also called drift anchors, sea anchors and drift socks, these aquatic parachutes can keep your stern facing into the wind and provide a slow, controlled drift that lets you thoroughly fish an area. With wind from the right direction, you also can probe shelves and weedlines without setting the rod down to paddle. Deployed off the stern, you face downwind for wind-assisted casts and to keep the drift sock out of the way of the fish you hook.

Attach the chute off the rear handle. A carabiner is handy. Most sea anchors have long enough cords, but you might have to add a bit of rope to allow the parachute to open and stay behind your yak’s rudder.
Attach the chute off the rear handle. A carabiner is handy. Most sea anchors have long enough cords, but you might have to add a bit of rope to allow the parachute to open and stay behind your yak’s rudder.
To set up properly, stretch the parachute and tie a rope or cord to the chute’s tip. (Orange paracord is easy to see to keep fish away from it.) This is your retrieval line.
To set up properly, stretch the parachute and tie a rope or cord to the chute’s tip. (Orange paracord is easy to see to keep fish away from it.) This is your retrieval line.
Attach the other end of the retrieval line to where you can easily reach it. We used a RAM Vertical Tie Down. Cut your excess line. Pull this line to collapse and retrieve the sea anchor.
Attach the other end of the retrieval line to where you can easily reach it. We used a RAM Vertical Tie Down. Cut your excess line. Pull this line to collapse and retrieve the sea anchor.
Floats fixed to the line near the tip of the bag help the bag open up when deployed and keep it from sinking down into grass. A float for a water-ski rope is ideal; we repurposed a couple of rod floaters.
Floats fixed to the line near the tip of the bag help the bag open up when deployed and keep it from sinking down into grass. A float for a water-ski rope is ideal; we repurposed a couple of rod floaters.
We used a bigger drift sock than necessary for these photos. Drift socks with 18-inch diameters are sufficient to render excellent kayak control. To stow and paddle or pedal, just pull the retrieval line.
We used a bigger drift sock than necessary for these photos. Drift socks with 18-inch diameters are sufficient to render excellent kayak control. To stow and paddle or pedal, just pull the retrieval line.

Related