When you decide to go fishing in your kayak, an anchor trolley system is one of the things worth having. First you need to know the type of vessel you’re using to determine which anchor trolley system best suits it. Do you have the flat water or the whitewater kayak? In addition, you need to look at the boat weight and your budget.

Does your kayak have all the necessary accessories or do you have to purchase some new equipment for your water adventure. Check the weight of the anchor in comparison to your boats deck space and size. A very big and heavy anchor may result in navigation problems.

Secondly, consider the type of water you are going into. Will you paddle in a river, a seacoast or a lake. The depth varies in each of these waters, so does the strength and flow of water. These factors enable you pick a suitable anchor trolley system.

Related: How to Anchor a Kayak in a River

The Anatomy of an Anchor Trolley System

The system consists of three parts: a rope, a ring and two pulleys. The rope is attached to the ring then runs through the two pulleys. For anchoring to be possible, you need your kayak or boat, an anchor line, and an anchor. The adjustable point of attachment to your boat is the anchor trolley that is an extension of your anchor line.

How It Works

Close-up image of anchor trolley system. Credits: The Canoe Shops Group

The two eye loops get connected on to the hull on one side of your kayak almost the same as the vessel length. Then pass a rope into the loops while tying each part to the metal ring to put the ropes together. This results in an oval shape on the hull.

The rope will at this point be in place and you can slide the ring on to the bow or stern, where you would want to set the anchor line. Finally, use the clip on the anchor line to attach it on to the metallic ring on the anchor trolley. You can now drop it off on to the side of your kayak.

Why an Anchor Trolley System is necessary

With an anchor trolley, your kayaking can be even more successful. This is because:

Safe Anchoring is Possible

The adjustment of your tie-down location to anchor on the kayak is made easy and quick with anchor trolleys. You can choose to use the bow or the stern, both are accessible to you and simple to operate.

The anchor trolley allows you to fix the anchor line to the bow or stern of your kayak. This will in turn enable safe anchoring in relation to the prevailing conditions. For instance high and low tides, water swells and wind. Your boat is unlikely to topple over.

Position Maintenance is Easy

You will be able to stay in one place. Moreover, you can face your desired direction easily. This is useful especially when fishing. For instance you have discovered an area with plenty of fish but your boat keeps drifting away due to strong winds.

Once you have correctly positioned your kayak, you can fish into the wind without being at risk of drifting away to into dead water. In addition, an anchor trolley enables you fish across currents and even ahead of the wind. This is because of the stability achieved with anchoring.

Boat Control

Man fishing on an anchored kayak. Credits: The Canoe Shops Group

With an anchor trolley system, getting your anchor up from the water is easy. This is as a result of the tie-downs ability to move towards you easily and conveniently giving you more access areas. Furthermore, you have total control of the anchor in any type of water.

Turning your boat around with the anchor still in position is possible with an anchor trolley system. This is as a result of the systems mechanism that will prevent snapping and enable you position accordingly.

Note: In the waters, currents and winds change frequently.

Flexibility

One anchor trolley at the stern of your kayak is all you need. However, you can have another at the front. On the other hand, you would need several cleats to anchor your kayak. The trolley system offers flexibility and reliable anchoring results.

The trolley system is compatible with most of the available anchors. The rope thickness and length is what may have to vary according to your anchor weight and kayak size. Generally, a heavy anchor should be supported using a thick rope.

Conclusion

An anchor trolley system is necessary for kayaking. It makes your work easier as you can handle the kayak even in choppy waters. Cheers to more memorable experiences!

Also Read: How to Anchor a Kayak in a River