Best Kayak Anchor Trolley: Buying Guide & Top 3 Choices
Ever been innocently anchoring your kayak and the boat has swung round, causing you to face the wrong way? Ever thought the weather was out to get you and defeating you when you're trying to fish in the one perfect spot?
Well, maybe you need to invest in an anchor trolley, and that's what we are here for! In this buying guide, we recommend the best anchor trolleys on the market and which we think is the best kayak anchor trolley!
But first, let us establish exactly what an anchor trolley is and how they are constructed.
What is an Anchor Trolley on a Kayak?
So, you may be wondering what on earth is an anchor trolley? How are anchor trolleys constructed? How does a kayak anchor trolley work? Or which one is the best?
Well, here are the answers.
An anchor trolley system is essentially a way for fishing enthusiasts to gain control of their boats when the windy weather or choppy water is against you, preventing you from catching fish.
An anchor trolley system is constructed with three main parts to it. It consists of a rope, two pulleys, and a ring. The ring is connected to the rope, and the rope is threaded through the pulleys.
Once everything is attached, you can connect the anchor or the anchor rope to the ring. This will enable you to use the rope, moving it backward and forwards along the side of the boat and thereby adjusting your anchoring point which is how an anchor trolley works!
Anchor trolley systems are especially useful and works great when fishing on waters with a current, or larger bodies of water.
What Side of the Kayak is Best for the Anchor Trolley?
Lots of anglers prefer to put the anchor trolley on the opposite side to their dominant hand. For example if they are right handed they would find it easier to cast to the right installing the trolley on the left and reel in without anchor line obstacles in the way when on their fishing kayak.
What are the Benefits of Using an Anchor Trolley?
An anchor trolley will not only keep you in one place in the water but face the direction you wish to face.
It can be used to aid fishing in the wind, in a cross-current against the wind or with the wind blowing at your back.
You can use it to turn your boat without all the rigmarole of taking the anchor out, turning, and put it back in.
Finally, an anchor trolley system makes it so much easier pulling up the anchor and gives you complete control when anchoring in all types of water.
When to Use and When NOT to Use a Kayak Anchor Trolley?
One of the places you should avoid using kayak anchor systems is when you're fishing in rivers with a swift-moving current. This condition of water can be dangerous, and the boat can capsize if the anchor is caught or pulled in the wrong direction.
If you are lake kayak fishing in windy situations, we recommend using an anchor that has a detachable rope. An anchor trolley system is a good idea if you're frequently bothered by the wind on the water when you're trying to stay in one spot.
Can you Install a DIY Kayak Anchor Trolley?
In a word, yes. You can easily install an anchor system for a kayak on your own. The only thing that can be challenging is the front and rear connection points.
In order to embark on kayak anchor trolley rigging, the kayak will most likely need you to put your DIY hat on and get drilling. Therefore if you are a bit nervous drilling into your kayak, there are plenty of helpful video tutorials online to guide you with installation instructions, or you might want to seek some help.
However, saying that there are some guides online, that can help you attach an anchor trolley kit by making use of the already existing attachments on your kayaks to connect your anchor trolley.
How to Choose an Anchor Trolley?
When choosing a kayak anchor trolley kit, you need to consider a few things.
Compatibility
First of all, you don't want to purchase an anchoring system and find that it's not compatible with any anchors for kayaks, right? Therefore you want to make sure the kayak anchoring system states the type of anchors for kayak that are compatible or, like many trolleys, that it's universally compatible, so it's essential to check what type of anchor kit is suitable before purchase.
Pulleys and Anchor Cleat
It's essential to do your research and consider the pulleys, the tie-off cleat, the rope or paracord, the brand, and the installation hardware.
The pulleys should be well designed so that you can pull the rope through without a hitch. They should also be waterproof and corrosion-proof using a material like marine grade stainless steel as to last a long time. Nobody wants a rusty metal anchor pulley!
The same rules apply to the tie-off cleat. Ideally, you want it to be made with a durable material that will last you a long time. The tie-off cleat can come in the form of a zig-zag cleat where by tying off in a zig-zag, the rope will hold the tension. Some trolley kits have a quick clip style cleat, which can be faster and more convenient.
Rope
The rope or paracord should be durable, flexible, and the least absorbent cord possible. The most common rope used for anchor trolleys is the 550 paracord because it offers a good balance of strength and flexibility.
Brand
Does the brand name matter? The brand does matter as you want to be using the best reliable certified brand when purchasing a piece of safety kit.
Installation
So, you get your trolley system in the mail, open it up, and find it comes with instructions in a different language, the pieces don't fit together, and you're regretting getting it in the first place.
If only you'd read some handy anchor trolley buying guide, eh?
This isn't a scenario you want to find yourself in. This is why some of the trolley kits we have reviewed have handy online video tutorials showing you how to install, or trolleys that come with easy to follow instructions included in the box.
Reviews of our Top 3 Choices
Ok, so we know how to use an anchor trolley, we know what to look out for, and we know we need one, so let's find the best one!
1. Anchor Trolley Kit for Kayaks by H2O
The Anchor Trolley Kit for Kayaks by H2O is ready for you to place your anchor, stake out pole, or drift chute in the river bed to adjust your position if you are tackling the current or the wind whilst kayaking.
The pulley system is a zig-zag cleat lock allowing you to face any angle or direction your heart desires and catch those fish at the bottom of the lake!
The ropes are made with 4mm eight plait polypropylene, and the pulleys and snap hooks are made with marine-grade stainless steel.
There are no concerns when it comes to installing the anchor trolley system. This kit comes with easy to install well-nuts complete with an online step by step installation guide.
When anchoring a kayak, you want to make sure your trolley is convenient and reliable, and the YakAttack Kayak LeverLoc is just that!
The leverloc anchor line clamp locks the trolley line using a convenient and straightforward switch system for quick control and quick release.
This model is the first anchor trolley designed to specifically aid you in using an anchor for kayak fishing under challenging conditions.
The YakAttack kayak anchor trolley systems use 550 paracord with highly reflected tracer so that you are able to spot the anchor line even in low light conditions. These anchor trolleys also feature Yak Attack's new YakAttack stealth pulleys so that when you're pulling the line through, it feels effortless and smooth.
Yak Gear is a reliable kayak accessories brand. Staying true to the outdoors, they aspire to bring innovative, useful products to paddlers everywhere.
The deluxe anchor trolley is the perfect companion to stop those pesky weather and water conditions from spinning your boat in circles. It is compatible with the deployment of any drift chute, anchor, or stake out pole so that you can easily remain in your favorite fishing spot at all times.
The deluxe uses a nylon pulley system, which allows you to pick any preferable position between the bow and stern. You can then maintain your position by securing your line to the zig-zag cleat.
It uses Harken pulleys to smoothly and without a hitch, pass the trolley line from front to back of the boat. The kit also comes with 30 inches of anchor line and a full guide of how to quickly and easily install your brand new anchor trolley.
Our Top Pick
When choosing the best kayak anchor trolleys on the market, you have to consider the effectiveness of the product, the durability, and the materials used. This is why we have chosen the Yak Gear Deluxe Anchor Trolley!
Originating as a small company, one guy on a boat that invented something to make his life a little more convenient, this company have grown and blown us out the water with their simple innovations. These kayak anchor trolleys do one thing, keep you in place, and they do that one thing well. It's an easy to use anchor trolley for a kayak and made from sturdy, durable corrosion-proof materials. An excellent anchor trolley for a windy fishing trip.