Mike , here's what I've done, not sure if it goes with your aesthetics. Assuming that your endpour extends a few inches back from the bow, use a 1 1/2" number 12(? around 3/16" thick) stainless screw through a big finish washer screwing down a piece of nylon webbing that is doubled back on itself (a loop) then through the deck into the epoxy plug,

Depending on how thick the webbing is and where you install it the webbing can do double duty in protecting the top end of the kayak,but that is usually more important in the stern.

Other possibilities are installing a stainless U-bolt,but there you wouldn't be able to get to the nuts so once again setting into overdrilled holes and using reinforced epoxy (high density filler). I like the U-bolt idea because It looks so dinghy like. Also you can go the fancy marine hardware store and GET SOMETHING that is too expensive, but at least its not overpriced foam brushes. The u-bolt i put on a kayak has a rubber plate (1/2x2" around the steel) at the deck that looks spiffy.