I was asked to do a product review of the Stick It Anchor Pin by Pete, our Vice President of Marketing. I agreed to test the contraption but told Pete to "be careful what you wish for." I reminded him that I have some pretty strong opinions about flat stakes being used on kayaks. Then I said, "oh wonderful, another pole to stick in the mud." Pete laughed and replied, "Great, you're the perfect person to do this review."

The Stick It Anchor Pin is seven feet long with a "T" handle. It's constructed of reinforced polyester resin. The shaft itself is small in diameter and tapered to a semi blunt point at the business end of the device. When you first hold the Pin you can immediately feel the strength of the design. The Pin is flexible yet absurdly solid. The manufacturer claims a tensile strength of thirty thousand pounds and I believe it. For all this the Pin is light, a snap to use and well maneuvered on a kayak.

The Stick It Pin was originally designed for powerboats as a quick anchoring device for flats fishing in six feet of water or less. The product includes some really nice accessories. There are mountable clips, and a couple of really nice lanyards for tying off the Pin. When this concept is applied to a kayak there are almost limitless ways to stow and hook up to the Anchor Pin. All the accessories display the same quality as the pin itself. After examining the Pin, accessories and testing the device on the mangrove flats in Broward County, I came to the conclusion that the Stick It Anchor Pin is the "Cadillac of Flat Stakes." If you use a flat stake on your kayak and want the best, this is it.

Because of the Pin's unique construction there are some real differences between the Stick It and other commercial flat stakes. The Pin is flexible, not rigid like other stakes. This creates much more "holding power" than other products when staked out in a strong current or chop. The Pin is seven feet long but you can use it in deeper water without a problem. By "deeper" I mean seven feet plus the length of your arm. The Pin works just as well when it's fully submerged. I also believe that some of you more balanced lads and lassies would have no problem using the Pin as a push pole on the flats. I did not try poling with the Stick It because my Ballerina days are over.

I believe that The Stick It Anchor Pin is the best pole you can stick in the mud I've ever used. All you Gear Heads please take note.

Oh yeah, there is one thing I was wondering. When you call this manufacturer do they answer the phone by saying "Stick It, how can I help you?"