Cat River Anchors

[Brad B]

let's just say I am totally amazed with these anchors. my first impression of these after learning about them was that they are well built and very heavy duty. they are designed as river anchors but also double as lake anchors. I finally ordered two of them and had a chance to take them out last week and try them on a local lake. let's just say once they hit the bottom they dig right in and you don't move. I will be putting them to the test up at the red river at the end of the month. If they perform as great as they did at the lake then I will never have to buy another anchor again(as long as I don't loose the ones I have now). I will post a report of how they did in the river after I get back from there.

this is a stock photo I got from their facebook page. check it out. I think you will like these anchors too.

[TruthWalleyes]

I guess $45 isn't too bad when you have to cut the rope. I use a 30# steen anchor for the river which allows me to new have to let out much line. It's $30, and i have lost 1 of them before. My Mille Lacs anchor only gets used in situations where it won't get lost $80.

My favorite river anchor is tying onto a tree or bank.

The shaft on these cat river anchors must be weighted in order to keep it on the bottom. What's the total weight of one of these?

A chunk of cement with some rebar is probably the best way to go on the river - doesn't cost you squat when you lose it.

[Rick]

Truth, If you look at the chain om the Cat River Anchor. looks like it's designed to pull out from the sticky end.

I know this isn't always the case but sure will limit the possibility of losing one of these anchors. And if it keeps you on a spot where there are no tie downs a bunch of times...the investment can be worth it...if it's as easy as it looks.

[Brad B]

Rick is right. the zip ties break at 80lbs of force and you end up pulling the anchor out upside down. then you have to replace the zip ties. this is how it was designed. a well known guide on the red river(you know who) did some of the product testing for them and he is more than happy with the end product. It would take a lot to loose one since the chain is welded on the end where the tines are. plus these anchors work great on lakes too.

they are offered in 16 or 20 lbs models.

[TruthWalleyes]

I spoke too soon - happens quite often .

I did some reading up on the anchor and i think the 80# zip tie thing is quite cool and will definitely aid in removing the anchor if stuck.

[CaptainMusky]

That looks like the real deal to me. I went to the HSOforum and was reading up on them and there is a lot of thought that went into them. I mean to the point where the tines can actually bend to a certain extent to allow you to free the anchor.

In theory you should be able to retrieve the anchor from the opposite direction 99% of the time, I would think so this idea looks pretty slick.

[Rick G]

I did a little research on these, they do seem to be the real deal. Looks like I'm buying a new front anchor soon

[Gordie]

Looks like a great anchor and as catfishermen I have used/made many different style and this is the first that I would spend the money on.

Thanks for sharing the info Brad

[Brad B]

I did a little research on these, they do seem to be the real deal. Looks like I'm buying a new front anchor soon

If you get one you will not be disappointed. I took both of mine out to Clearwater lake last night and I tested them in the channel(Clearwater River) between Clearwater and Augusta lake. as soon as I dropped the first one in I was locked in place and put the second one out so the boat wouldn't move around at all. The only bad part of using these in a lake is that they dig in so good that when you pull them up a large bunch of weeds and/or muck/sand comes up with it too and you have to sit there and pull all the weeds off it.

If you want to see one in person I can bring mine to the G2G we are having on July 13th. just let me know and I will put it in the truck the night before.

[Brad B]

finally made it up to the Red RIver. I had a chance to test these out in the river and just like the lake once they hit bottom you don't move after you get the correct amount of line out (3ft rope to every 1ft of depth). I only had one set where I had trouble pulling it up because it set so good. I ended up tying it off to the cleat and motoring up over the top of it and then it broke free. the tie straps didn't break so it must have not been stuck that bad and I got the anchor back. I am totally impressed with these and will not buy any other anchor from now on.

[proguide]

I have been running this anchor for two years now and was one of the lucky ones who got to test out the new 10# version of it. In low to normal river conditions it was amazing. In heavier current I sill prefer the 20# but man is it nice to only pull 10# 15 times per day.

I have yet to lose one and I have had it hung up at least 10 times. I have broken the zips a couple times and have actually bend the tines back a time or two also but still have the anchors and still fishing on.

[Northlander]

I have ran many anchors and wonder how this anchor compares to my new favorite the Digger Anchor. This is the best anchor I have found so far with my richtor being a close second. I need a all purpose anchor that can hold in both river currents and windy lake conditions. Anyone ran all 3 and have a comparison for me. I have spent a lot of cash on anchors so buying another wont happen unless some of you guys can tel me this one beats the others I have. I guess Im a sucker for something that makes my life easier and works as well.

[proguide]

I have ran many anchors and wonder how this anchor compares to my new favorite the Digger Anchor. This is the best anchor I have found so far with my richtor being a close second. I need a all purpose anchor that can hold in both river currents and windy lake conditions. Anyone ran all 3 and have a comparison for me. I have spent a lot of cash on anchors so buying another wont happen unless some of you guys can tel me this one beats the others I have. I guess Im a sucker for something that makes my life easier and works as well.

I have not used a Digger Anchor but have used a Richtor quite a bit. They both work great but I think the Cat River tends to grab quicker based on the fluke shape. One thing I know for sure is if a Richtor gets caught under a tree it is hard to get up again, the release system on the CR will give quicker and if it doesn't with a good reef of the boat the flukes will bend to get it back too. I hope that helps.