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When you’re out kayak fishing, the last thing you want is to start drifting, especially right after you’ve reached your favorite fishing hole.
A kayak stake out pole could provide you with a convenient way to anchor yourself to that spot.
But how do they work?
To give you a better idea of why you might need stake out poles on your next kayak fishing adventure, we’ll explain what they are and the best ones to buy.
If you’re looking to save money, we show you how to make your own kayak anchor pole later on…
What Is A Stake Out Pole? (also know as an Anchor Pole)
Stake out poles can be used as an alternative to a traditional anchor. Instead of an anchor being dropped into the water to grab hold of the ground under the water, a stake out pole can be stuck into the ground with the top end remaining above the water.
This can allow you to easily remove it or reposition it. You can tether the stake out pole or stake out sticks to a boat hook on your yak with bungee cord or rope and you can even put them through the scupper holes on your yak.
You can also use more than one at a time if you need to, for example, one at either side or end of your vessel, which can be helpful in a strong tide.
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Stake Out Pole Vs. Traditional Anchor
An anchor can have its advantages and disadvantages. For example, in strong current, or if you catch a big fish, your anchor could end up being dragged along the bottom.
When you’re kayak fishing with an anchor deployed, you will also have to consider your anchor line underneath the water to avoid getting tangled with your fishing line, bait or even your catch.
Anchors generally need something to embed themselves in under the water, which may not work if the bottom is an oyster shell garden.
However, an anchor may be useful in deeper water compared to a stake out pole, which can only be used in water shallower than it is long. A traditional anchor may also be more suitable for bigger boats.
On the other hand, stakeout poles can offer effortless and silent anchoring compared to a traditional anchor splashing into the water. This can allow for a more stealthy approach if you’re kayak fishing as it’s quieter and there’s no anchor rope attached to the bottom of the lake or river.
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Video: Anchor Pin Tips For Kayak Fishermen
With a solid stakeout pole, your tether line would generally be out of the water, as it will likely be attached closer to the top of the pole or just above the water line.
This means you should be able to see your tether and avoid it when casting or retrieving. The right pole can be a preferred anchoring method for fishing in shallow water or muddy waters.
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Some Of The Best Kayak Stake Out Poles
1: YakAttack ParkNPole Stakeout Pole
- Length: 8 foot
- Materials: Fiberglass
- Includes Clips: No
The YakAttack ParkNPole stakeout pole is a two-piece version of the regular ParkNPole. Being in two pieces it can be easier to store and transport and it has a comfy grip handle for ease of use. The 8 foot length also makes it an ideal push pole.
This is a durable stakeout pole that’s made from fiberglass with UV resistant and water resistant nylon for added durability. These are ideal anchor pins for smaller boats with minimal storage and can be great for shallow lakes.
2: YakGear YakStick Floating Stakeout Pole
- Length: 6 foot
- Materials: Fiberglass
- Includes Clips: No
This YakGear YakStick floating stake can be an ideal stakeout pole to use as a shallow water anchor pole. It’s durable but lightweight, making it great for saltwater flats.
It’s designed to fit through scupper holes on your kayak and it can also float, which is useful if you drop it. Additionally it has a multi-purpose handle design with a push pole mud foot. This has holes for easy tethering to an attachment line system.
3: SandShark Supersport Anchor Stakeout Pole
- Length: 4 foot
- Materials: ABS plastic/Aluminum
- Includes Clips: No
This SandShark stakeout pole is a portable option that extends to 4 feet long. It halves in size for easy transportation in its own case.
An interesting feature of this one is the auger design at the end, so instead of staking it, you screw it into the sand or ground beneath your kayak. So it can be great for very shallow waters or to tether your kayak to the shore or river bank, providing a firm grip in hard bottoms.
4: Hobie Stakeout Pole
- Length: 5 foot
- Materials: Fiberglass
- Includes Clips: Yes
This Hobie Stakeout Pole can be a great push pole for attaching to an anchor trolley system on a kayak or small boat. It can be a great anchor pole for shallow bays and rivers, from a trusted brand, and features a rubber handle for improved grip with wet hands.
It comes in a bright yellow color for added visibility and comes with an attachment line and storage clips.
5: Power-Pole Ultra-Lite Spike Stakeout Pole
- Length: 8 foot
- Materials: HollowCore Technology
- Includes Clips: Yes
The Power-Pole Ultra-Lite is an 8 foot stakeout pole that’s designed to offer strength and durability in a lightweight package. It comes with a 6 foot braided dock line lanyard with looped ends for shallow water anchoring.
This stakeout pole is made to work with the Power Pole Micro anchor system to deliver silent anchoring. But it can also work on its own and has a good grip on the top for convenience.
Can I Make My Own Anchor Pole? Yes, Here’s How…
Step 1: Choose your pole
There are a few things you can use as an alternative to a purpose-built stake out pole or shallow water anchor pin, so this could come down to personal preference.
Various items can be used to make a DIY stake out pole, including broom handles, bamboo, garden stakes with a metal tip, steel tubing or PVC pipe. Rigid nylon can be a good, strong material if it’s UV stabilized for durability outdoors.
Whatever item you choose, make sure it will be long enough for the water where you intend to fish. An 8 foot long pole might be a good length but feel free to go shorter if it suits you better.
Step 2: Create your pole
Now that you’ve chosen your ideal pole, you’ll probably want to transform it from its original purpose into a true stakeout pole.
If you’re using a garden stake designed for plants, it will probably already have a pointed ‘stake’ end. If not, you may want to carve one into the end.
Video: DIY Poles
Step 3: Customize it
For the top end of your pole, you can attach a PVC T-joint pipe by drilling a hole in the top of the pole and securing it with a screw (video here). You may need additional hardware for this. This will give you a more finished looking stake out pole and will provide you with a handle, as well as a foot if you wanted to use it as a push pole.
You could also drill a hole for attaching your tether or clinching lanyard but depending on what you’ve used you may find you have another way of tethering it.
Finishing Up
A kayak stake out pole can be a useful tool when you’re kayak fishing in shallow coastal waters and can be a good alternative to an anchor.
Whether you buy a ready-made one or you make your own, remember to keep the anchoring system attached to your boat with a tether and keep the tether around the water level when your pole is on the bottom of shallower waters.
Maybe you’ve made your own stake out pole or you’ve got some good advice? Let us know about it! And if you think your fellow kayak anglers could use this guide, share it with them.