Is a 15lb mushroom anchor ok for the ocean

Well i just bought my first yak for diving, while the wife and kids groaned not more fish, and i am wondering is a 15 lb mushroom anchor good for the ocean on a calm day of course.

15 is more than enough. I have been using an 8lb with out issue. You may always to consider a kelp clip.

-Brian G

A 15# weight is not optimal... but it'll work if it's what you got.

Anything is better than your normal habits of scattering dirty tire weights all over the ocean floor.   

On a calm day it would likely be overkill, and on anything other than a calm day I don't think I'd use an anchor.  Attaching to kelp is the best option IMO.  I often haul my boat around as my "float" as I dive. 

WAY too much weight. A 5 lb weight is plenty if you are using it for diving.
If it isn't enough for the conditions then you shouldn't be in those conditions.
It should hold you just fine but since you are diving you can always dive down and place your anchor in a position so it will hold your kayak w/o a problem.
Clipping off to kelp is fine as long as you are constantly monitoring your kayak.
IMO if you plan on staying in the water and not paying too much attention to the kayak I would wedge the anchor on the bottom, not so as you cannot get it out, just to be on the safe side.

5 pound with 5' of dog chain.

I agree with Tote. 5 pounds is all you need. Just make sure that you play out enough line to engage the anchor and keep in mind what the tide is doing. I anchored once at low tide and came back to the kayak to see it standing on its head when the swell came through. I lost that anchor because first I dropped it deeper than I could retrieve it and it was snagged on the bottom. Always anchor at a depth you can dive to if you have to get it back or don't mind losing it. 15 pounds is way over what you need. I also agree with the kelp clip. If you are fishing say for cabs where you need to soak your bait for a period of time or making quick close dives then it's cool. What I always dread seeing is my kayak 100 yards away and drifting fast from me. Can you say bye bye? One more thing. I assume you are anchoring in the rocks for diving. If in the sand then 10 pounds should do it.

I have 3 lb folder and with enough scope its always been fine...in fact it usually gets stuck!

Thanks everyone for the advice. Right now i am all for overkill with the anchor. My biggest fear is seeing my kayak drifting away from me. Even when i dive off a zodiac i only dive if someone is staying in the boat for the same reason.

Anything is better than your normal habits of scattering dirty tire weights all over the ocean floor.   

Very dirty habit, I would say.

Well i just bought my first yak for diving, while the wife and kids groaned not more fish...

Aren't you also the guy that posted about taking so many crabs that not only is your family sick of eating crab, but even your neighbors are also sick of eating all the crab you give them? 

Why would you need a kayak?  Going commercial?