Kayak Grip Anchor - DIY Brush Anchor vs Product Test

[@ralphbosse7794]

I, along with dozens of other river rats, have used battery jumper clamps for decades. With either bungee rope, paracord or poly rope as the tie to the boat. I use the smaller version of the plastic China Freight clamp to secure a float tube or our Hobie Float Cat. The battery clamps have been in use for at least 35 years. They clamp tight to soft material such as cane as well as any piece of tree limb utilized. They hold well to dock cleats by means of inserting a section of the clamp rope thru the cleat then securing with the clamp. They'll work also while mooring to a rock or dock pylon. By looping a section of the clamp's rope around a rock or pylon then grasping the leading end of the rope with the clamp will hold it fast. We tie a slip knot on the end of the rope which allows us to run a section of the rope around any tie down used on any watercraft.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

What a wonderful insight! Thanks

[@jimwhite1557]

Informative and entertaining. I, too, was surprised all three stood up to “the lean, mean fighting machine!” I agree with you about the one I would select. That’s something I could use with my Jon boat.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

If you want it, I will give it to you. I do not need it.

[@davidlewis9572]

Nice idea , my brush clamp is a metal hook on a rope ( works in rocks too ) .

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great tip!

[@k9er233]

The HFT blue handled clamp looks to be the one that I would choose from your bag of tricks here. The only issue that might arise, could be the fact that it has a fairly large minimum opening that could slide down on a slender branch and sink below the surface on a slender tree. Many of the places that I fish have only smaller, slender brush where I clamp off. I will most likely also still carry my HFT self-closing spring-type steel cheapo-matic clamp to cover the small-brush areas. Great video. Thanks again for the new ideas. I always find something of use from your posts.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I would hope the pressure of the cord when the anchor is being pulled would hold it in place

[@k9er233]

@@KayakhacksFishing I will give it a try this spring. Thanks again for all of your videos. You have many great ideas to make our chosen sport more enjoyable. I am happy to be one of your many subscribers. Tight lines! 😁😁😁

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@k9er233 I appreciate that - thanks!

[@yangjianhunt]

Commercial one seems the best for versatility, as it can be used for grabbing smaller items such as roots sticking out from a river bank, or smaller branches, or even aquatic plant stems such as lily pad cattails etc. It's also the easiest to grip. I use a metal clamp similar to your 2 dollar one, that I got from home depot for 1 dollar. It doesn't have the cord mechanism though. But you can't beat the price from diy and the fun from making your own tools.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Totally agree!

[@2reelyakrz481]

Cool DIY! Now need one for bridge piling 😋

[@luv2hike27]

Great advise. I bought the blue one today, I had the cheap spring clamp in my hands and since I don't have ape hands my fingers are too short. Can you advise what you did with the tag end of your rope?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I attached it to my zig zag cleat so I could release it quickly if the current took an unexpected turn or I have to go after a fish. here is a link - amzn.to/3Ov1QY0

[@josemirles4595]

Great video! I would like to know which one you think would last longer after constantly being used in a salt water environment. Even if using only in fresh water, which would likely rust less?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

My guess is the clamp on the right since it has the fewest metal parts.

[@swlancaster69]

You may have solved another issue as well. I have a simple weight on a line and I have tied it to my Pelican 10ft Pontoon Bass Raider. Instead of tie ins to my seat I could clamp and use loops for shorter drops .

[@BobBohner4851]

Great Steve. Too bad i already bought the commercial one. Can you test it on a metal and wood dock? I use it to launch my kayak

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I will not be back on the water until March when everything warms up. Just thinking about it, I believe the commercial one and the actual clamp would hold on metal. I think the cheap clamp would slip off

[@ohillbilly]

I just use the black plastic one but without the extra string. I drill out the handle to fit a clip in it. But what I used more last year was a tent stake. I fish mostly creeks and I can just jab it into the bank.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good idea - thanks!

[@k9er233]

That tent stake spike anchor of yours is a great idea! Light weight and easy to store as well.

[@ratherbfishing455]

Great idea! Thanks

[@stephenalbrecht2290]

I would go with the middle one.

[@jeffjackson5331]

I use the BESSY version of your HFT clamp, i got mine from HomeDepot. They come in two sizes 4" version w/3" throat depth and a 2" version w/2" throat depth. I didn't run my paracord all the way up like you did Steve, i just ran it thru a hole on on handle and put a knot in each side of the handle. I will have to go out and lower my kayak down so i can get it out and take a picture of it and share the picture on your facebook post if this video.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks, I would love to see your solution.

[@Plarux]

I would like to see how each of these held up against a tug that might mimic worst case scenario. What would happen if it was loose, then the kayak quickly started drifting away? Your videos are always a great source of knowledge!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I wish I lived in a place where I could test that

[@doctorkayak]

With the mechanical clamp from Harbor Fright (as I like to call the place) the rope through the clamp jaws doesn't do much does it...

[@KayakhacksFishing]

True - it only pushes the branch against the clamp so it does not wiggle

[@KevinSmith-dx2nf]

Great idea, thanks!!!!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

You bet!

[@danareed1656]

great video ! thanks for sharing

[@kayakowboy]

To be honest I use strong paracord with loops tied into it every five feet that I wrap around a tree/stump and carabiner it to my kayak, which I can do for any size tree or limb.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

that works!

[@davidwolf7351]

Gripping! Good job.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks!

[@grasshoppercrews1296]

I built my own with a regular spring clamp hasn't came loose so far 😊

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Nice! Keep me updated on how it holds up!

[@cameroneagle4370]

huh, i never knew there was such thing as a brush anchor, ive always used a bungee cord or a small rope , interesting .

[@JohnKlopp]

All look like usable options, of course I'd go with the cheapest.😁

[@NasTimeAdventures]

Not enough of a price difference for me. The commercial unit is likely to last longer and be more reliable long term.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Probably right

[@JoeAnton420]

Its easy Mmkay

[@daviddura1172]

I use the cheaper Add a piece of pool noodle near the clamp so it floats I can throw it around bridge pillars and pedal the kayak around and retrieve it to form a loop Double duty Trees and pillars

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great insight! Thanks

[@t9056]

damn i just wasted 30$