I see a lot of people using diving reels with their original cords or people just using paracord and not a lot of it (even those retractable dog leashes). In my case I have about 6 feet of chain and 200 feet of 3/16" diameter double braided rope.

Doubt I can make anything that would hold all the rope and float if thrown overboard.

What do you guys use to store your yak anchor rope? Any recommendations? I can't seem to find a suitable spool that isn't too bulky.

I made up something like this with some 1-1/4" PVC, stuffed with shipping peanuts, end caps with some eye bolts (sealed too). I have an anchor trolley, let out the line I want, clip double stainless clip over anchor rope and on to one end cap, the other clip goes on my anchor trolley. If I need to let it loose, I just unclip and it floats. Sort of a pain to wrap up each time, so I just loosely place the anchor rope by the side of the seat between sets and only spool it up at the end of the day.

How much line does it hold? I'm afraid that the pipe would sink having 200' of rope on it. I've seen that used a lot for paracord

I rarely anchor deeper than 30 feet, most of my fishing is inshore, so 75 feet of para chord is plenty for me.

Yak Attack Sidewinder is perfect for the yak. I use that with an inline float on a 8lb mushroom.

On my yak I have installed Ronstan T-Cleats, small.

Take a bite of anchor line up and through the anchor trolley and connect to the cleat. If I need to quick release, I can do it in a split second. Can go back later and spot the float and grab the anchor. 25' or more often 50' of 3/8" anchor line is wound on the Sidewinder.