When it comes to shallow water kayak fishing, anchoring can be a pain in the rear. Instead of messing around with cumbersome full-sized anchors, stake out poles let you temporarily anchor in sand, mud, rocks, and other bottom terrain. You’ll still remain mobile, as all you’ll need to do move your kayak is lift the pole and scoot your boat along.
Stake out poles are a fairly low-tech solution to the shallow lake, stream, and coastal water anchoring problem. Their essentially 6+ foot long poles made from strong lightweight materials like UV-resistant fiberglass.
Let’s take a look at some of the best kayak stake out poles on the market, how to pick the right one for your boat, and how to deploy them effectively.
Quick Answer: 5 Best Kayak Stake Out Poles
- Best Overall: YakAttack ParkNPole Stakeout Pole
- Runner Up: YakGear YakStick Floating Stake-Out Stick
- High End: Power-Pole Micro Anchor Spike Driver
- Compact Pole: Vibe Kayaks Anchor Pole 7 Foot 3-Piece
- Deep Water Pole: Yakattack ParkNPole Link 8-Foot
Why a stake out pole
While stake out poles are perfect for shallow water anchoring, they have a number of additional uses that make them a worthwhile addition to your arsenal.
Stake out poles work well for scouting out shallow water areas without spooking all the fish away. You can easily push off the bottom and quietly propel your craft in any direction you choose. They’re even more stealthy than normal kayak paddles – so you can get right on top of the fish without disturbing them.
Stake out poles also work well when you need to quickly slow down your boat while fighting a fish, or while pushing off from a dock. Unlike a regular kayak anchor, there’s no underwater line to worry about, so you can cast in any direction without any risk of entangling your line.
If you want to get some good footage while you’re out on the water, stake out poles also make good mounting surfaces for GoPro’s and other cameras.
Best Overall: YakAttack ParkNPole Stakeout Pole
Yakattack’s been making some of the best kayak fishing gear on the planet, and this slick looking one-piece stakeout pole is no exception. It’s available in a six-foot and a 7-foot eight-inch model, so you can find the ideal length for your kayak and fishing conditions.
The pole is made from lightweight and durable UV-resistant fiberglass, and will float if dropped in the water. With a slender .845′ diameter, the pole is fairly easy to handle, and will fit in most kayak paddle holders.
The pole top features a molded handle that easy to use for staking and maneuvering in shallow waters, and a MightyBolt-compatible keyhole for attaching anchor lines, quick-release clips, or YakAttack attachments. The top can also be switched around and used as a makeshift paddle, when you want to propel yourself stealthily through the water.
YakAttack made the pole with a comfortable foam grip near the top that makes prolonged usage a breeze.
Key Features
- Length: 6’ and 7’8”
- Pieces: One-piece
- One-piece UV-resistant fiberglass construction
- MightBolt compatible keyhole for attaching line and YakAttack accessories
- Comfortable foam grip
- 7 8 or 6 long
- Made of wear-resistant nylon
- Foot and tip are UV stable
- Lightweight and incredibly durable
- Perfect companion for fishing in shallow waters
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Runner Up: YakGear YakStick Floating Stake-Out Stick
Lightweight, rigid, and highly versatile, this stake out pole from YakGear is easily one of the best options for securing your craft in shallow water. It’s made from durable fiberglass, and features an oversized foam grip at the tip for a comfortable grip. An anchor rope attachment is built into both sides of the handle – so you can easily attach the pole to an anchor line.
The multi-purpose handle is designed to provide a firm grip while pushing through a variety of terrain, and can also be flipped over and used as a push pole or makeshift mini-paddle. The pole has a 7/8” diameter making it the right size to fit into most kayak paddle holders.
With a six-foot length, the pole is suited for use in shallow lakes, streams, and coastal waters. It weighs a featherlight 22 ounces, making it super-easy to handle and maneuver with. The handle and tip are made form a rigid nylon material – and best of all the entire stick floats in case you drop it in the drink!
Key Features
- Length: 6’
- Pieces: One-piece
- Multi-purpose handle can be used as push pole, mini-paddle, and camera mount
- Featherlight, durable fiberglass construction
- Floating design and oversized foam grip
- 6ft Floating Stake-Out Stick
- Lightweight – weighs 22oz
- Overall length – 75 inches - Diameter – 7/8 inches
- Made of rigid fiberglass with an oversized foam grip for your hands
- Anchor rope attachment molded in handle
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
High End: Power-Pole Micro Anchor Spike Driver
The power-pole is a major upgrade from a simple stake out pole. If you’re ready to step up to the best of the best, no other shallow water anchoring system comes close to performance and functionality of the power-pole.
The system is essentially a hands-free electronic anchoring system that you can operate with the touch of a button. It allows you to quietly anchor at a moment’s notice, which will put you in the position to catch more fish. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to control the anchor smartphone via Power-Pole’s app, or you can use the included 2-button key fob.
The driver unit comes with a 15-foot power cable for connecting to a standard 12V marine battery, or you can run it off Power-Pole’s micro battery pack. The driver will work with any ¾” stake out pole, or with Power-Pole’s own 8-foot ultra-light spike. With a 1500-pound max boat capacity, its perfect for Jon boats, kayaks, skiffs, and other small to medium craft.
With multiple mounting options it’s fairly straightforward to mount to a variety of craft using the adjustable mounting bracket.
Key Features
- Virtually silent electronic anchoring system works at the touch of a button
- Compatible with all ¾” stake out poles
- 15-foot power cable for connecting to a standard 12V marine battery
- Easy to mount to a variety of different craft
- Power-Pole Micro Anchor hold Jon boats and small skiffs up to 1500 lbs (including passengers) perfect for kayaks and paddle boards.
- 8.5’ Micro Spike (sold separately) can remain in or be removed from the driver unit when moving between locations
- Micro driver unit is easily-removable making storage or transfer to other vessels
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Compact Pole: Vibe Kayaks Anchor Pole 7 Foot 3-Piece
This 3-piece collapsible stake out pole is the perfect solution when you want a full-length pole that folds up into three 2-foot sections. It’s made from sturdy fiberglass and easily screws apart into three smaller sections for compact storage. You can also use two of the sections together is you want a more compact pole.
The T-handle offers an excellent grip for anchoring with, and also doubles as a push pole. Two quick release carabiners come included, as well as an anchor line for attaching to your kayak.
The 7/8” diameter pole is the perfect size for maneuvering in the water, and will also fit into most kayak paddle holders. Keep in mind the pole won’t float like some other models, but you can easily add a length of pool noodle to the end to keep it afloat in case you drop it.
One drawback if you plan to use the pole in saltwater is the fasteners are not made from stainless steel. You’ll need to treat them with some sort of anti-corrosion products, or replace them entirely.
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Key Features
- Length: 7’
- Pieces: 3-piece
- Sturdy fiberglass construction
- Ergonomic T-handle for comfortable use
- Quick release carabiners come included
Deep Water Pole: Yakattack ParkNPole Link 8-Foot
This is the longer 2-piece version of Yakattack’s popular stake out pole reviewed above. With an 8-foot overall length, it’s ideal for fishing in slightly deeper water, where a shorter pole won’t cut it. The 2-piece construction makes the pole perfect for transporting to and from your fishing spot, and at just 1.8 pounds, its light enough to maneuver around with ease.
The same excellently-designed molded handle as the smaller unit is used in this one. This allows you to mount any MightyBolt accessory to the end of the pole. It also floats in case you lose it in the water.
Yakattack also makes a 46” extension you can purchase separately, which will transform the 8-foot pole into an impressive 12-foot long stake out pole. This makes it great for fishing the shallows. You can also use the shorter portion by itself if you want a more compact pole to use as a makeshift brake.
Key Features
- Length: 8’
- Pieces: 2-piece
- Ideal for fishing in deeper water
- Collapsible for easy transport
- Optional extension lengthens pole to 12’
- 7 8 or 6 long
- Made of wear-resistant nylon
- Foot and tip are UV stable
- Lightweight and incredibly durable
- Perfect companion for fishing in shallow waters
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How to use a kayak stake out pole
As mentioned previously, stake out poles have a variety of different uses, from quickly anchoring your craft to quietly scouting outing out an area without spooking the fish. They can be deployed in a variety of different ways, using several different methods of attaching to your kayak.
Deployment Methods
Most stake out poles have some form of lanyard hole to attach an anchor line to your craft. This works well for attaching to an anchor trolley, or simply tying to a deck cleat. You can also use a quick-release clips or carabineers for rapid attachment/detachment.
You can also slide your stake out pole through many kayak rod holders, which can work well for anchoring in one spot for a prolonged period.
Many kayak anglers will slide their stake out pole directly through a scupper hole on their kayak’s deck. A word of caution about doing this: if you’re in strong wind or waves, the stake out pole can flex excessively, which can cause permanent damage to your pole or even your kayak.
If you’re in strong wind or waves, deploying two stake out poles on either side or at the bow and stern can work well. This will not only keep your craft in place, it also prevents it from swivelling around in the current.
