Super video AND method. I was in search of a DIY retractable leash since, at 74, the daily 3-mile walk with my 75-pound dog, Skeeter, has been getting more and more painful. I'll replace walking with riding my new e-bike. In walking, Skeeter, will once in a while stop dead to enjoy a scent in the grass. That could be devastating with a bike, so I'll have him on his 5-foot leash, but if he jerks it out of my hand, I'll be afforded about 40 feet to react and stop with your design secured to my seatpost and his harness. Thanks a BUNCH. I was even kickin' around the idea of having to build him a trailer.
Just made mine and I love it! I haven't added the trolley yet, but the pulleys are on the way. As for connecting the paracord to the clothesline, I used 8 tiny zip-ties instead of the 40lb braid, and I added a marker at 44' so I know when there's only 6' of cord left. For the marker I simply threaded a 2" piece of red twine (size #15) through the paracord so it's easy to see. I also bought a "thru hull plug" and hid my clothelines box inside the hull so the paracord comes out just below and left of the seat. It's stealthy! Thanks for putting me on this idea!
I'm gonna have to copy this setup. I watched this while feeding my 2 month old daughter. I had the volume pretty high on my phone cause the audio wasn't so good. At the end of the video, the dog bark was nice and loud. My dogs heard it and responded by barking back. Well that freaked my baby out and pissed off the wife. Great video though.
thanks for the quick reply. that's what my main concern was... I have a hobie for salt water. not really taking her out to go for cocktail blues or porgies. larger blues and preferably striped bass. maybe some fluke, flounder just cause they are delicious. but for the most part I'd be aiming for the cow stripers
Thanks for this useful tutorial for kayak anchor set up. I notice you have set up your anchor trolley somewhat differently than most I have studied. Your set up only runs halfway along the starboard-bow side of your kayak then you seem to have another set up on the starboard stern side. Please describe the reason for this.
So when I anchor off the back of the boat, the nose of the kayak is going to have a tendency to turn a little bit to the right in the current and when anchoring off the bow it will turn to the left. This position my kayak for me to cast easier. Also when drifting with a sock in the salt water it gives me a better drift.
I have been thinking about using one of these retraction system for fishing castnets . Preferably wrist mounted and rope , although if one for rope isn't ideal then cable .
4 years later...I’m wondering if this setup is still working on your kayak. I’ve seen some folks use a Big Game Magna Lift. Wondering if anyone’s had better luck with one or the other. Thank you for your video!!
Hey great video. question when you hit a big fish have you figured out anyway to unachor without cutting the rope? or throwing the retractor in the water on a buoy?
Hey Jason, my fishing style is horse that fish in. I typically fish with my drags "locked down" and don't give the fish a lot of room to run. This has worked great on all the 5-7 pounders and I have yet to deal with the double digit.
I was on inks-lake this summer and had a jetski use my yak as a target for his turns. If I didn't have the ability to disconnect the anchor I would have been flipped. It's not the big fish that requires a disconnect it's the stupid people on the water with you.
I fish still water only so for my type of fishing it is not really important to have a break away but thank you for the heads up. I do agree that some areas a break away is a necessary thing to have.
Great system but how do you disconnect it in case of an emergency? Do you keep a knife or scissors handy to cut it away? I do love your anchor line management approach.
@@BeardedBassBrawler Thanks Matt! That sounds like a reasonable safeguard. I fish in some fair size lakes in the Madison, Wisconsin area. Unfortunately we have quite a few jet skis, bass boats and pleasure boats. Sometimes the boat operators get a bit careless and throw some big wakes our way. I can see circumstances where I may need to discontinue the anchor to prevent swamping. It would likely be a raze occasion though. Thanks getting back to me so quickly.
Great video. Very very thorough. Also where do you out your 10# anchor? Do you let it hang off the side of your Kayak with the cam holding the weight? Or do you just lift it into your boat? Thanks again🛶🎣
Fished lake Bastrop last weekend for the first time. My son and I were trying everything just about everywhere. I'm sort of starting out in this hobby, I have a 14' PA and he has a 13' Revo. I hate, hate, hate using my anchor. Line management is a nightmare!. I do have a yakattack HD trolly and made an anchor out of an old window weight. There was a point we anchored in 42' of water when we tried using some 1/2 and 3/4 oz jigs. I have about 80' of anchor line that is 3/16" thick. I realize the times I'll be anchoring in 40' of water is low, probably only 2% of my time (fishing still water about 90% of the time). I would like to find a heavier duty version of this type of reel, maybe one that holds closer to 60' of this size line etc.? Do you know of such reel? If not, then there are several versions available on amazon, do you know which is built best. Your link has the one that has 49' capacity where all others only state 40' but some of those 40' state heavy duty.
Cool video, I’ve used this setup before and due to a house fire I lost my stuff. One thing I’m not sure of is para cord size. Do you feel like the 550 retracts ok/smooth? Would you downsize? I don’t if that’s even possible, anyway cool info thanks
Paul Summers they are called “well nuts”. I was very skeptical at first but are used him on the anchor trolley and they held up well so I started using them for jam cleats too. The problem with their attack is it is very hard to reach certain areas from the inside.
Ok...I see what you did here. So you actually drilled out a hole to fit the nut grommet through. Then tightened down until it sealed itself from the inside. Thanks. I got a harken jam cleat in yesterday and starred at it wondering how to fit it firmly. I have the atak 120 so I know it's hard to reach.
I would not use this set up offshore. You never know when you might have to ditch your anchor, also it will not hold enough line. I would go get an extension cord reel. Remember to use between 2-3 times the line when anchoring in deep water with current.
hi only just saw this post, ive been trying to figure some sort of recoil system like this but here's my big question, we fish in some big tides and current off the Welsh coast, and in an emergency we need to release the complete anchor system fast, as far as i can see your system is permanently connected to the yak and the only way of disconnecting would be to cut the line ? is this correct or did i miss something ?
You are correct. If you need to to be able to disconnect you will have to have a short line in-between the spool and the kayak. On that line you will need a float, this will allow you to disconnect and throw the entire spool over board and come back to it later.
Blazentoo in this set up I am not able to hook a buoy to it, if I am forced to cut it I would loose the anchor. For me in the types of water I fish it would have to be such a life or death emergency that I would be okay with loosing the anchor.
Where did you get that pfg decal? I've been looking online and nothing. Also looking for ugly stick and abu Garcia decals. Do you know where I could find some? thank you sir!
Pretty much the only metal part inside is a flat wire spring. I have been running it for10 months or so and just pulled all the line out about 2 weeks ago to check and everything seemed fined. Plus at the price point for the clothes line if I got 2 years out of it as much as I use it it would have paid itself off 2 fold.
Question (please answer): Does the paracord get inthe way when you push the anchor trolley to the front of the kayak? Can you reply with a link to the "Jam Cleat" that you showed? Thanks.
New England Bass I don't have to much of a problem with the anchor line getting in the way, however I typically use the front anchor point in less than 10 feet of water and let out about an extra 5 feet of line. I will look for a link to the jam clear.
Devin Moran I have to pull it up manually because I use a 10 pound weight. As I pull the weight up it picks up the line from the deck so it is not laying around on the floor.
I like that anchor I will be using that instead of a mushroom anchor I just gonna use a jam cleat in shifting conditions when in a couple seconds you could flip or in case of landing a big fish and not chancing it get tangled in my anchor line I could just release the anchor line and it's free in a second versus trying to pull it in from the front or back. CATCH.PHOTO.RELEASE
@@richwar2417 it's been a bit but i want to say you just pull it all the way out and hold it out and you're able to feed the other one around it and then tie the knot to keep it in place.
6 years later! This is the best DIY video I've seen for this. Thanks!
This was the most thorough walkthrough I’ve seen for this system. Thanks!
Love your overall setup.
The Fishing Family thank you.
Super video AND method. I was in search of a DIY retractable leash since, at 74, the daily 3-mile walk with my 75-pound dog, Skeeter, has been getting more and more painful. I'll replace walking with riding my new e-bike. In walking, Skeeter, will once in a while stop dead to enjoy a scent in the grass. That could be devastating with a bike, so I'll have him on his 5-foot leash, but if he jerks it out of my hand, I'll be afforded about 40 feet to react and stop with your design secured to my seatpost and his harness. Thanks a BUNCH. I was even kickin' around the idea of having to build him a trailer.
Best video I've seen on how to do this properly. Very thorough and easy to understand without any BS. Thank you Bass Brawler!
Just made mine and I love it! I haven't added the trolley yet, but the pulleys are on the way. As for connecting the paracord to the clothesline, I used 8 tiny zip-ties instead of the 40lb braid, and I added a marker at 44' so I know when there's only 6' of cord left. For the marker I simply threaded a 2" piece of red twine (size #15) through the paracord so it's easy to see. I also bought a "thru hull plug" and hid my clothelines box inside the hull so the paracord comes out just below and left of the seat. It's stealthy! Thanks for putting me on this idea!
nice man, I am glad the video helped.
Awesome add on ideas!!
anchor cord REALLLLY gets in the way..... as does even the tiniest of items.... this is one thing you really learn in a kayak..... good video
That’s awesome bro. Clean and smooth
This is pure genius. Thanks for sharing.
thanks
Extremely helpful thanks man great content 💪🏾🎣💯
Thanks
Great setup. I've watched a lot of ideas and this one is the one I'm going with. thanks!!
I'm gonna have to copy this setup. I watched this while feeding my 2 month old daughter. I had the volume pretty high on my phone cause the audio wasn't so good. At the end of the video, the dog bark was nice and loud. My dogs heard it and responded by barking back. Well that freaked my baby out and pissed off the wife. Great video though.
Very nice, first explanation I sen of how to replace the line and how it works on the trolley system, thanks.
John Lutz Thanks for the feedback and check out the channel.
Great step by step informative video. Thanks for sharing
thanks for the quick reply. that's what my main concern was... I have a hobie for salt water. not really taking her out to go for cocktail blues or porgies. larger blues and preferably striped bass. maybe some fluke, flounder just cause they are delicious. but for the most part I'd be aiming for the cow stripers
I wouldn't use that setup for offshore fishing. I would develop a spool more like an extension cord holder.
Thanks for this useful tutorial for kayak anchor set up. I notice you have set up your anchor trolley somewhat differently than most I have studied. Your set up only runs halfway along the starboard-bow side of your kayak then you seem to have another set up on the starboard stern side. Please describe the reason for this.
So when I anchor off the back of the boat, the nose of the kayak is going to have a tendency to turn a little bit to the right in the current and when anchoring off the bow it will turn to the left. This position my kayak for me to cast easier. Also when drifting with a sock in the salt water it gives me a better drift.
I have been thinking about using one of these retraction system for fishing castnets . Preferably wrist mounted and rope , although if one for rope isn't ideal then cable .
where did you get the "locking cleat"? Thanks!
awesome way to anchor great vid!
4 years later...I’m wondering if this setup is still working on your kayak. I’ve seen some folks use a Big Game Magna Lift. Wondering if anyone’s had better luck with one or the other. Thank you for your video!!
Works just fine still. I have not had to replace anything.
Very good video, I don't like the kettle Bell for an anchor because an underwater branch could run through the hole where the handle is.
That is a good call on the branch. I fished a lot of highland style lakes. Lots of rocks and ledges.
Another very nice solution...Thanks.
Hey great video. question when you hit a big fish have you figured out anyway to unachor without cutting the rope? or throwing the retractor in the water on a buoy?
Hey Jason, my fishing style is horse that fish in. I typically fish with my drags "locked down" and don't give the fish a lot of room to run. This has worked great on all the 5-7 pounders and I have yet to deal with the double digit.
I was on inks-lake this summer and had a jetski use my yak as a target for his turns. If I didn't have the ability to disconnect the anchor I would have been flipped.
It's not the big fish that requires a disconnect it's the stupid people on the water with you.
You should definitely think about a quick release method just in case of an emergency!!
I fish still water only so for my type of fishing it is not really important to have a break away but thank you for the heads up. I do agree that some areas a break away is a necessary thing to have.
Great video Matt. I subscribed immediately.
Thanks
within 1 minute I could tell you are prior mil....and your cup...BRAVO!!!!
Rick Rabies I never served in the military I do like BCM products
Great system but how do you disconnect it in case of an emergency? Do you keep a knife or scissors handy to cut it away? I do love your anchor line management approach.
I carry a cutter. But it is not something I think about considering I use this kayak on still water, very low risk.
@@BeardedBassBrawler Thanks Matt! That sounds like a reasonable safeguard. I fish in some fair size lakes in the Madison, Wisconsin area. Unfortunately we have quite a few jet skis, bass boats and pleasure boats. Sometimes the boat operators get a bit careless and throw some big wakes our way. I can see circumstances where I may need to discontinue the anchor to prevent swamping. It would likely be a raze occasion though. Thanks getting back to me so quickly.
thanks for the awesome post , im getting it
COLLISION TECH#59 BERGONIA You’re welcome
I like the setup. What is that jam thing?
It is a sail boat clear I picked up at West Marine. It allows the line to slide in one direction and hold tight in the other.
You're like the Will Prowse of kayak mods. He's has a solar power channel. No bs just get down to business. Thanks
the first half way trolley I've noticed so far... just put one in mine.... front to rear...
I do this because cast right handed and if the kayak was being anchored from the back on this side I would be hitting my rods when casting.
Great video. Very very thorough. Also where do you out your 10# anchor? Do you let it hang off the side of your Kayak with the cam holding the weight? Or do you just lift it into your boat? Thanks again🛶🎣
So I ended up moving the anchor to the other side and have a small tie off cleat
Fished lake Bastrop last weekend for the first time. My son and I were trying everything just about everywhere. I'm sort of starting out in this hobby, I have a 14' PA and he has a 13' Revo. I hate, hate, hate using my anchor. Line management is a nightmare!. I do have a yakattack HD trolly and made an anchor out of an old window weight. There was a point we anchored in 42' of water when we tried using some 1/2 and 3/4 oz jigs. I have about 80' of anchor line that is 3/16" thick. I realize the times I'll be anchoring in 40' of water is low, probably only 2% of my time (fishing still water about 90% of the time). I would like to find a heavier duty version of this type of reel, maybe one that holds closer to 60' of this size line etc.? Do you know of such reel? If not, then there are several versions available on amazon, do you know which is built best. Your link has the one that has 49' capacity where all others only state 40' but some of those 40' state heavy duty.
my question is how long will the interior of this retractable last being the ancher line will be wet either fresh or salt water "rust"
Cool video, I’ve used this setup before and due to a house fire I lost my stuff. One thing I’m not sure of is para cord size. Do you feel like the 550 retracts ok/smooth? Would you downsize? I don’t if that’s even possible, anyway cool info thanks
Great video... What is the trolley system you are using? I see that it is a 2 piece front/back setup.
My trolley is just made up of harken pulleys and paracord.
What kind of bolts did you use to mount the jam cleat? Did you use a nut on the inner shell?
Paul Summers they are called “well nuts”. I was very skeptical at first but are used him on the anchor trolley and they held up well so I started using them for jam cleats too. The problem with their attack is it is very hard to reach certain areas from the inside.
Ok...I see what you did here. So you actually drilled out a hole to fit the nut grommet through. Then tightened down until it sealed itself from the inside. Thanks. I got a harken jam cleat in yesterday and starred at it wondering how to fit it firmly. I have the atak 120 so I know it's hard to reach.
Paul Summers you have it 100% correct
you think I can make one for saltwater offshore fishing for depths up to 100 feet? is there something with that range?
I would not use this set up offshore. You never know when you might have to ditch your anchor, also it will not hold enough line. I would go get an extension cord reel. Remember to use between 2-3 times the line when anchoring in deep water with current.
hi only just saw this post, ive been trying to figure some sort of recoil system like this but here's my big question, we fish in some big tides and current off the Welsh coast, and in an emergency we need to release the complete anchor system fast, as far as i can see your system is permanently connected to the yak and the only way of disconnecting would be to cut the line ? is this correct or did i miss something ?
You are correct. If you need to to be able to disconnect you will have to have a short line in-between the spool and the kayak. On that line you will need a float, this will allow you to disconnect and throw the entire spool over board and come back to it later.
Simple fix make it float and quick release 👌
Perfect. Though I'm gonna open the recoil box and install the paracord to the winder.
How'd it go?
How do you hook a buoy to this setup so you can retrieve you anchor if forced to cut line?
Blazentoo in this set up I am not able to hook a buoy to it, if I am forced to cut it I would loose the anchor. For me in the types of water I fish it would have to be such a life or death emergency that I would be okay with loosing the anchor.
@@BeardedBassBrawler ok ty for quick reply
Where did you get that pfg decal? I've been looking online and nothing. Also looking for ugly stick and abu Garcia decals. Do you know where I could find some? thank you sir!
I know one of the sponsored girls and she gave me a couple.
Subtitles at 00:56.. bit tricky on a kayak!
I would really like to see how you mounted it under the seat with velcro. I am not interested in drilling any holes if i do not need too
Joe Hannaford I just tied it to the frame with Velcro strap.
Any thoughts on the wet cord affecting the metal parts inside of the retractable reel?
Pretty much the only metal part inside is a flat wire spring. I have been running it for10 months or so and just pulled all the line out about 2 weeks ago to check and everything seemed fined. Plus at the price point for the clothes line if I got 2 years out of it as much as I use it it would have paid itself off 2 fold.
Question (please answer): Does the paracord get inthe way when you push the anchor trolley to the front of the kayak? Can you reply with a link to the "Jam Cleat" that you showed? Thanks.
New England Bass I don't have to much of a problem with the anchor line getting in the way, however I typically use the front anchor point in less than 10 feet of water and let out about an extra 5 feet of line. I will look for a link to the jam clear.
New England Bass www.westmarine.com/buy/harken--standard-cam-matic-150-aluminum-cam-cleat--114652?recordNum=1
Thank you very much! Im getting an old town predator 13 kayak and I thought this would be a great addition.
Where did you purchase the Jam cleat?
West Marine.
Thank you! Very nice set up you have. Thanks for the informative video. Good stuff!
It doesn't have enough time drive to pull the weight up out of the water by itself does it? You still gota pull it up manually and it will retract?
Devin Moran I have to pull it up manually because I use a 10 pound weight. As I pull the weight up it picks up the line from the deck so it is not laying around on the floor.
Bearded Bass Brawler ahhhh copy that I figured it wasn't magic. sick build though bro
Just rigged my yak up the same way!
I like that anchor I will be using that instead of a mushroom anchor I just gonna use a jam cleat in shifting conditions when in a couple seconds you could flip or in case of landing a big fish and not chancing it get tangled in my anchor line I could just release the anchor line and it's free in a second versus trying to pull it in from the front or back. CATCH.PHOTO.RELEASE
It has worked out very well in all bottom types and I have not encountered a hang up problem yet.
Pretty swank. The retractable dog leashes only go to 15'.
My lakes are pretty deep. On average sitting 20 feet from the bank I am in 40 feet of water
did I miss something? why can't you just use the rope that came on the anchor assembly?
Greg Coverdale the one that came with this one was a cheap then plastic coated string.
So you still pull the anchor up manually and it just pulls rope in. It won’t actually pull a anchor up. Is that correct?
I use a kettle bell and I pull it up manually and the line is taken up by the retractor.
Did this mod, used a uni-to-uni knot to join the lines....
A retracting pet leash works well, too.
Get a patent on this its unique.
Manvet 67 thanks
Instead of tying on to old line you can replace the whole rope it took maybe 10 min
Long shot as this comment is a couple of years old, but how do you replace the whole cable? I can't see how you would open it to do that.
@@richwar2417 it's been a bit but i want to say you just pull it all the way out and hold it out and you're able to feed the other one around it and then tie the knot to keep it in place.
Why not just open the recoil box and install the paracord to the Retractor?
Z71Ranger I don't think this version could be opened.
Okay, I see... Thanks
Thanks Brother.2 things, volume and DECAFE!!!. Be well.
Thanks, I don't drink coffee actually.
I didn't know that Gavin Mcinnes was a kayak man.
I think we need just one more retractable anchor line video.