YakAttack DropShot anchor reel (15.2 m line)

YakAttack DropShot anchor reel is a track-mounted anchor reel for anglers who have to lower and retrieve the anchor dozens of times a day. Instead of gathering line and winding it round your hand, the anchor reel lets you do it by turning a handle with one hand, while the other hand stays free for the rod.

Key features

• Adjustable brake - the anchor goes down at the speed you set, so it doesn't drop freely and tangle the line

• Reverse lock - the reel locks at the depth reached, no knots to tie

• Sealed bearings - suit both fresh and salt water

• Open drum design - the line dries right on the reel, no lingering damp or smell

• Three-position handle - you choose the length by how much room there is next to the seat

• Made in the USA - Built for Life manufacturer warranty

How the DropShot reel works

Lowering speed adjusted by hand
The reel body is marked with fast and slow lowering directions and the retrieve direction. Turn the adjuster to the slow side and the anchor goes down evenly and doesn't create line loops. This matters in shallow water and current, where a freely falling anchor most often tangles. An additional drum pressure stops the line puffing out to the side.

A handle in three lengths
The handle can be reset to three positions, changing the turning radius. The shortest position is for when the reel is mounted right next to the seat frame: your fingers don't hit the frame as you turn. The longest position gives more leverage when you are pulling a heavier anchor from deeper water.

15.2 m marine line with a reflective thread
The 3 mm polyester line in the kit is 15.2 m long. A reflective thread is woven into it, so in the dark, in the light of a spotlight or a boat lamp, you can see where the line runs. Polyester barely stretches and doesn't absorb water, so the anchor holds position more precisely than on nylon rope.

Two bases in the kit
The kit includes a flat base and a base angled at 45 degrees. The flat one needs 20.3 cm of free track and the angled one 10.2 cm, so you can mount the reel even on a short stretch of track. The angled base lifts the handle closer to your hand when the reel is set low on the side.

Where to put it
The reel is most often mounted on the side track by the seat, so the handle can be reached without leaning over. The reel works together with an anchor trolley system: the line is routed through it to the front or rear of the kayak, so the kayak turns against the current the way you need.

What is included

• DropShot anchor reel

• 15.2 m marine 3 mm polyester line with a reflective thread

• Flat track base

• 45 degree angle base

• Stainless steel carabiner

• TurnKey bolts and adapters for Versa-Track systems

Who is the DropShot anchor reel for?

The reel is for kayak anglers who stay in one spot and change position often: structure fishing, light current, a windy day on open water. The recommended anchor weight is 0.9-5.4 kg, which covers both folding grapnel anchors and standard kayak anchors.

The anchor is not included. In our range there is a folding 700 g anchor, but it is lighter than the manufacturer's recommended lower limit and will only suit calm water. For current or wind choose a 1.5-3 kg anchor.

The main difference from the Anchor Wizard anchor systems are a different design: the Anchor Wizard is a complete system with a line guide, while the DropShot is a compact reel that can be moved from one kayak to another together with the track base. The DropShot takes up less space and has an adjustable brake, while the Anchor Wizard is a more integrated solution for a single kayak.

Body diameter 13.3 cm, height with the handle 16.5 cm on the flat base and 24.1 cm on the angled one. The body is cast from UV stabilised marine polymer, so it doesn't corrode or crumble in the sun.