Anchor theory and practice: Front? Rear?

It seems to me that I should rig my anchor line off the bow so I face into the wind/current/swells when anchored. I keep seeing side and rear rigged anchors, though.

Any thoughts?

I would be concerned about flipping with a side rigged anchor.

Yes facing up river is nice, but then you are fighting fish in reverse. I had a scare anchoring my yak and something under water snagging my anchor line.

-Brian

my anchor release system allows me to do both - depending on water current conditions (will post pics soon)

IMO: It's good to have that option. I fished the North Side of the San Mateo bridge last year (Sturgeon season) and I chose to anchor with the bow pointing towards the current - and it was a good thing because the current was strong and there were logs, telephone poles, tree stumps and other BIG debris floating down and nearly hitting the bow of my yak. There were times when I had to use my paddle to push off some of the debris that was drifting directly towards me.

But if the current isn't that bad, I would anchor with the Stearn pointing towards the the current.

...just my 2 cents....

My kayak (old Ocean Malibu II) has always worked best anchoring with my bow facing into the current.  When I hook up on a fish, I can still fight it behind me, but with a big sturgeon I'll just release the anchor to fight the fish and take my lumps paddling back up current once the battle is over.

Many kayaks do just fine with the stern facing the current and it definitely prolongs your ability to fight a big sturgeon without having to release your anchor.

I think it really just depends on personal preference and how comfortable / stable your kayak is in either orientation.

Erik

Many kayaks do just fine with the stern facing the current and it definitely prolongs your ability to fight a big sturgeon without having to release your anchor.

Erik

Small bass should be no problem then.

 

Two anchors are critical in structure fishing for largemouth.  Kayaks wave in the wind too much to efficiently fish static structure with only one anchor.

MolBasser

"Two anchors are critical in structure fishing for largemouth. Kayaks wave in the wind too much to efficiently fish static structure with only one anchor."

I learned this the hard way yesterday.  I was being blown in a 180' arc and it was driving me crazy.

I guess I'll have to order another anchor.