Anchor ideas?

[Sandman]

I have been thinking about a way to anchor in very deep water, such as the Rigolets, Miller's Ditch, etc.

I think the grapple anchor would work well, (especially after learning the easy retrieval trick), and I want to use about 125 ft. of 550 parachute chord for the anchor line. Does anyone have any ideas about how to manage that much line when it's not in the water? I think some type of reel would work well, but I don't know where I can get something like that. Any ideas or thoughts? :info:

[Choupique]

get a electric cord “spooler” thing a mobob

[Where Y'ak?]

An empty plastic reel from wire etc with a improvised handle will work. In areas that have high current it's good to have a plan to quick release or cut the line if you get in trouble

A clip on float will allow you to release the anchor and then return to the float to rehook or retrieve it

[Kurt_Loup]

Wally uses a retractable dog leash. I don't have a clue how long they go, but it is compact and keeps extra line under control.

[Sandman]

I knew I would get some great ideas quickly! I think I may look into the extension cord spooler. Also, thanks for the quick release tip - I don't think I would have thought about that.

I think the dog leash things are pretty short, but I do use one for my landing net - now it stretches to any point on the kayak and it stays centrally mounted on my crate without a mess of rope.

[yak-aholic]

I think the dog leashes are limited to 30 ft or so. Just run 4 or 5 in-line with each other :biggrin:

[Joker]

You can use a 100' or 330' Nylon-clad steel open reel tape measure. Its an anchor and a depth finder in one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-x-330-ft-open-reel-measuring-tape-36819.html

[Psycho Joe]

Just in case anyone missed this before:

[Big Al]

This little trick would have saved me an anchor last year. Just finished rigging my current anchor this way. Thanks for the tip!

[Yak-a-Lou]

Here's what I came up with...

Spool is from the large spools of fishing line common in stores where they load fishing reels. Academy, Cabela's and Superior Tackle have given the empty ones to me for free in the past.

I fill the inside of the spool with expanding foam so it will float. It ain't pretty but it works.

Handle is a wooden dowel with an appropriately sized piece of PVC. Both ends of the handle are secured with a stainless screw and an appropriately sized stainless washer.

On the side of the spool opposite from the handle is a little knob I Jerry-rigged. This is the part that needs the most improvement on my reel but what the heck... it works.

As pictured here there is 100' of paracord on the spool. As you can see, adding another 25' would be simple. Also, larger spools are available. I've seen some that I feel sure would easily hold 200' of line.

Total cost = maybe $4

Hope this helps.

[Choupique]

If you wanted something really nice you could get an old manual downrigger.

[Branch_Office]

I made a line holder from PVC kind of in the shape of an "H". You can make it any size you want and not real expensive to build and it floats. I capped the ends with a solid pvc cap...just cut everything and glue together. Took maybe 15 minutes for everything.

Hope that helps as well.