Tips for Targeting Sturgeon from a Kayak

Thanks everyone for the great tips. One question, do you always run the anchor off the stern or off the bow also.

Thanks Scott

IMO: it depends on the swell conditions - when the water is rough / choppy, I usually slide my anchor towards bow (so I can see 'em comin) On calm water, I slide the anchor to the Stern.

Joel -

Thanks again for the help. My current yak has an anchor trolly from bow to stern, but in 2 years of fishing I have never run the anchor off the bow. For my new yak I was thinking of rigging the anchor only off the stern only to cut down on the clutter and allow reentry from either side. I guess I will rig it to the bow again just in case I am achoring in bad conditions.

Scott

Like Mooch, I anchor from the bow if there is rough conditions or if, say, the wind is blowing sideways to the current sometimes it's more comfortable to anchor from the bow.

On my old kayak I used to always anchor from the bow becuase it didn't track well from the stern.  I actually liked the bow position in terms of how you can hold the fishing pole and get a good hook set just as if you were trolling. 

For my bow anchor, I just installed a simple cam cleat on the bow.  Toss the anchor, let the rope tighten up over the bow, and pull the rope into the cam cleat.  One tug and you can toss your anchor if you hook up.  Very simple and low profile.

Erik

I also use a bunjee cord loop (orange) as a shock absorber from the incoming chop (got this tip from Josh /Pro-spark). Without the bunjee on, the sudden "tug" that you get when the swells are in motion can get very annoying

For an anchor system I'm thinking KISS. A cam cleat on each end of the yak, and an inline shock cord.  Then use it like Erik described. If you put the shock cord inline you could just throw it over with the float and be on with your slay ride 

can anyone tell me where i can purchase a farmer john wet suit locally as i dont like ordering anything that gets worn as all sizes are differant.thanks

No more float for me I will be using my rear drift boat style anchor. I can pull it in a few seconds and I don't have to come back for my anchor. I can also redeploy when the fish gets tired or I am drifting towards an obstacle. 

ride123, California Canoe and Kayak has them in Oakland at Jack London Square. PM me and let me know where you live and i'll get other locations.

No more float for me I will be using my rear drift boat style anchor. I can pull it in a few seconds and I don't have to come back for my anchor. I can also redeploy when the fish gets tired or I am drifting towards an obstacle. 

Can you pull it in with one hand?  I'd like to see that rig up close.  Sturgeon can get headed toward your anchor rope in a real hurry... IMHO it's nice to be able to toss it very quickly to avoid a hog tie situation.

EK

Can you pull it in with one hand?

Yep