boats on the Red

[grab the net]

Is the Red River in Canada a place you could fish in a fiberglass bass boat or is there a lot of shallow water obstacles, like rocks that would beat it up. Or should it be more of a deep V aluminum?

Also how hard does the current run in early to mid june, just wondering how big an anchor it would take to hold me, if I take the dream trip for big kitties.

[Captain B.R.K]

I know when we go in end of July, beginning of August- I always have a cyinder block for an anchor. Sometimes that isn't enough....so I add on 2 5# anchors.

[Canuck]

Grab the net: There is NO problem with a glass boat. There is only one shelf on the east side just below the locks at Lockport and again a small reef below the 2nd pier. If U try to go right up to the floodway outlet U should know the route but otherwise there is NO problem. Stu has a good launch (double cement). There are lots of other areas that you will not have to go near any of those areas.

Anchors: I laugh at what I see guys try and use. Remember the Red is a river that can have current and one thing that can ruin yours and anybody else near you is dragging the bottom with a cement block etc. We make up our own anchors and have NO problem holding even in the spring currents. All we do is take a piece of solid steel (round) about 1 1/2" thick and 16 to 18" long then take four pieces of flat steel each 9" and weld them to the bottom (spring steel like car leafs). These flat pieces should not be so solid that they will not bend, about 1/4" is plenty, because there is bedrock that occassionally and I mean occassionally hooks up your anchor and they should be able to bend. Put about 2 ft of good chain on the end and then lots of rope about 75'. My boat is an 18' Lund and have never had any problem holding and staying in place. Stu has I think a huge 22 ft yawl and he has a similar anchor and it doesn't budge either.

I never mentioned but we put a small point on the end of the flat pieces so they bite into the mainly mud bottom. If U come up, bring 2 anchors because it is great insurance and if U have a spare you will for sure NOT loose the 1st one but if you don't have a spare murphy's law will kick in and you will lose the first one.

No not worry about reefs, rocks etc. They are easily pointed out and if U have electronics you can get up by the shelf on the east side. I usually slide in to about 2 /3ft and cork lots of guys say out in the 4 to 5 ft and cast in but live on that river and kind of have an advantage and know the dips etc. The depthys normally are in the 14 to 18 ft range so U have plenty of depth.

[Ed Carlson]

A good anchor is a key part of fishing the Red for sure. The type Canuck described is a great one and works well for most rigs.

I have a friend (Big Cork'n Sucks Bredeson) that makes up a serious anchor that we designed just for the Red. It will tip the scale at near #35 so it has big bite and it has a knock-out loop so you get the anchor back again. Holding is key but it is darn nice to get the anchor back too. Many basic river anchors are a one way trip near the Lockport dam because they do not release well. Dennis Steele bought a couple of these and I think he can vouch for there holding power....just get a good rope...right Dennis.

A good 1/2 cotton rope is a wise buy. They are easy on the hands and have some budgie factor that helps to keep you pinned to the bottom in currents that often will vary in strength. It helps to compensate for swaying too. Thin cheap nylon is very tough on the hands and can get cut on granite rip-rap below dams, no give either...avoid that stuff on the Red.

If you’re interested in one of these let me know, I'll help set you up with him so you can get one. I usually have one or two here at my place in Fargo so if your passing through I can sell you one too.

Another tip is bring several bumpers for your boat if your worried about dings. Because the docks are far and few between and due to the traffic the dings your likely to get willbe at the dock or loading. Longer the better too. some folks do not abide by the No-Wake zone and it is easy to get a dock burn from this on the Red up North. I have a lot of them on my glass boat and sponsor decals can't cover them all Eh.

[Dennis Steele]

Yup Canucks anchor is desgined for the Red and does a great job holding in that river. I think all the locals have one similar to that design.

Big Shannons anchor however will hold a battleship in gale force winds...anywhere!!

I know some guys wish I didn't use Shannons anchor. But hey, someone has to drive the boat and some one has to be the anchor biotch!

And after all anchoring properly and holding is one of the keys to catching cats. If you can't hold your boat where you want it, your not going to do as well.

[Dan Thiem]

Dennis,

Quote:

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anchor biotch!

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Man, that's great! I can't wait to use that one.

[Ed Carlson]

If you like that one, try this one.

I also call it “Anchor Aerobics”.

After 30 or 40 sets of the anchor I use, you will notice it.

[DARK30]

Hey Ed, Isn't about time you replace old 'Viagra Blue" with "River Pro Green"?

[Ed Carlson]

Ya...I think so too Dark..buy Only if Kevin can paint me up a special Viagra Blue model.