Say Goodbye to Floating Astray With the Best Kayak Anchors
Kayaking is one of the most diverse sports one can take part in. Whether you’re looking to take an adventurous, wild adventure in raging waters or make your way across the ocean’s surface in total ease, the opportunities are truly endless. And while kayaks do a great job at moving one forward, it can be a challenge to keep them in one place.
This is where a kayak anchor comes in. Kayak anchors take all of the weight off your arms and hold your kayak in place wherever and whenever you want. Having one on board means you’ll never have to worry about floating astray in the event you need to take a break to relax, and as great as they are there are far too many options for you to choose from. To help you out, we’ve curated a list of the highest-rated kayak anchors of 2024!
Our Top Picks
What Is the Optimal Kayak Anchor in 2024?
Best Overall
For kayakers, exploring the unknown is one of the biggest joys of the sport and The Gradient Fitness Marine Anchor is great for people who are always in unexpected waters. Known for being super lightweight, it can easily fold down to the size of a small umbrella, making it all the easier to carry around without a problem. Capable of grabbing hold of the seabed, the best part about this anchor is that it’s painted bright green and has a white PVC buoy attached to it—so if something were to happen to the line, you and those on shore can still spot it from miles away.
Pros
- Material is rust-resistant
- It comes with a storage bag
- Marine-grade equipment
- 90 days money-back guarantee
Cons
- The rope is the shorter side
Best for Hardcore Adventurers
https://www.sailmagazine.com/review/anchor-rope/Being out in rough waters and high on adrenaline is something that a lot of water sport enthusiasts enjoy, however, we need some sort of protection for a worst-case scenario. Curated by Best Marine and Outdoors Store, this galvanized, rust-resistant kayak anchor can easily hold its own in the most challenging terrains. That way, even if you’re not one to keep up with the maintenance of things you can rest assured the material will hold up.
Also capable of folding up to a transportable size, to descend it all you have to do is drop the anchor. Adding to its functionality is a super long rope that will ensure you’ll touch down on even the deepest of seafloors.
Pros
- Easy to open and close
- The rope is longer than most
- Extremely strong construction
- Full refund guaranteed in case of dissatisfaction
Cons
- Can be hard to dislodge
Easiest to Use
If you’re not one to want to set up your equipment on the go, you’re going to want something that’s already ready to use. Aside from being easy to set up, the Extreme Max Kayak Anchor comes with all the knots in place, so all you have to do is hook it up to your kayak and drop it. With the anchor’s folding grapnel anchor being made out of plated steel, you can rest assured that even with the hardest of tugs it will stay put, keeping you and your partner in place. Paired with an extremely durable build, this anchor will assure security in some of the roughest waters as well.
Pros
- Color is easy to spot
- It comes with a nylon bag
- Attached with a marking buoy
- Grappling anchor provides a stronghold
Cons
- The rope is difficult to change
Beginner Friendly
The Attwood Universal Kayak Anchor could be the poster product of the phrase “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Championing the charts with its classic metal grappling anchor, its durable metal will deter daily wear and tear, allowing you to easily take it out into the open waters with ease. Also fairly compact, you can easily keep it in your glove box for convenient use—and since the anchor comes with a ¼-inch rope and storage bag, you can bet that once you’re done you’ll be able to store it with ease, and have it prepared for your next adventure in the blink of an eye.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Convenient for beginners
- It has a strong hold and keeps the kayak steady
Cons
- The top could use some reinforcement
Most Compact
If you don’t have the biggest of kayaks and don’t need anything strong enough to keep a boat in place, you should still use a small, compact anchor. Coming to you with a variety of weight options, the Seachoice Folding Kayak Anchor is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. That means that you can easily fold it up and stow it anywhere so it’s ready to use whenever you need it. Small yet mighty, Seachoice can easily hold a kayak in place during calm to moderately strong currents, so you can rest assured you won’t drift away, or be caught up in the current.
Pros
- Material deters corrosion
- Can be used while open or closed
Cons
- The anchor ring could use some adjustment
Buying Guide: Kayak Anchors
Not every type of anchor will work for your kayak and your lifestyle. That means you need to ensure you’re getting the right one each time. To help you out, we’ve curated a comprehensive buying guide.
What to Look for in a Kayak Anchor
Here are some of the main things you need to look for when finding a kayak anchor.
Anchor design
Typical anchors are either deadweights or the more common mushroom anchors. Since kayaks aren’t very heavy, the weight aspect isn’t always necessary. That’s why most kayak anchors are grapnel-style hooks. Grapel-style hooks are fairly light, so you don’t have to worry about overloading the kayak—and to operate, all you have to do is drop them to the bottom of the river or sea bed.
On the downside, since such kayak anchors won’t be much help in the deeper sea, you’ll need a weighted anchor instead. To address this, you’ll want to visualize what kinds of waters you’ll be venturing in prior to completing your purchase. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy your day once you’re out on the water.
Weight
Weight is a significant aspect when it comes to kayak anchors. Since kayaks themselves are relatively light, if you put an anchor on that’s far too heavy it will just pull the kayak down. To address this, make sure that the anchor’s weight is compatible with your kayak.
Material
Kayak anchors come in a variety of materials. Some are super lightweight but not extremely strong, like fiberglass. Others are sourced from heavier metals that are capable of holding their ground no matter what. If you want something to help out on a casual kayaking trip, fiberglass should be fine, but those who need to go out on choppier waters should invest in a metal one instead.
Anchor line
The anchor itself isn’t the most crucial part of choosing one. It’s also the anchor line that’s most important. You have to make sure that the anchor line you get is long enough to successfully reach the bottom of the waters you’re going to be in. Otherwise, it will just prove to be of no help.
Anchoring points
A great anchor is virtually useless if you can’t attach it to your kayak itself. For that, you’re going to need anchoring points. Each kayak and anchor is different in this regard, so make sure the one you get is compatible with the anchor point on your kayak.
People Also Asked
Is it safe to anchor a kayak?
Kayak anchors are completely safe and recommended for people fishing in deep waters to keep their kayaks in place. If you plan to venture into choppy or deep waters, kayak anchors can prove to be a true lifesaver. Allowing you to take a break or combat rolling waves, not having one on hand can make for a more exhausting or mentally damaging experience, especially if you’re a beginner.
Do you need an anchor to fish in a kayak?
If you’re swimming in calm waters, you can get away with not having an anchor. If there’s a presence of stronger currents, having the anchor in place will make for a more pleasant fishing trip for both you and your guests.
How heavy should an anchor be for a kayak?
Kayak anchors should typically be in the 5 to 7-pound range. While this might seem too light, kayak anchors work to provide added support and stability without piling on too much weight.
Is it safe to go out on the sea with a kayak?
As long as you’re in a safe spot and your kayak is stable, it’s completely safe to fish on s kayak. If you’re a beginner, consider going out on the sea with a professional prior to venturing alone. Tackling even the smallest of currents without proper experience can put you in potentially troublesome circumstances, so be sure to look out for your safety and act true to your current capabilities.
Do I need a professional license to kayak on open water?
To ensure you’re safe to operate, it’s recommended to check the laws of your state and county. For example, in the state of California, it is a requirement for all kayaks with a trolling motor to be licensed.