When it comes to reviews for this section, we typically don’t pair up products together but prefer to test everything individually. However, sometimes it just makes too much sense not to bend this rule.
Cat River Anchors
We’ll start with a unique anchor that we’ve found a lot of success with this summer. It’s the 20# Anchor HD from Cat River Anchors that is specifically designed for boats 18 feet or longer. Designed on the river by two South Dakota catfish anglers, Cat River Anchors are game changers in the world of anchor setting and retrieval.
If you’ve ever stuck your anchor to the bottom of the lake to the point where you had to leave it, you’ll want to pay attention. Cat River Anchors uses a patented release system to ensure you don’t lose your anchor and based on how well it holds, this is extremely important.
The original model has four sharp adjustable flukes that can be customized to varying angles, but we went with the HD model because the sturdy flukes have been welded to an optimal angle and again, you won’t believe how well it holds.
These USA-made anchors were designed specifically for use on the river but after using ours all summer I can confirm it will work equally as well on the lake. It comes with a sturdy chain directly attached to the fluke end of the shaft. The chain is then attached to the opposite end of the shaft with a sturdy zip tie. If the anchor becomes stuck, a good tug on the anchor will snap the zip tie and pull the chain to the fluke end, releasing the anchor from the bottom. I know, like me you’re probably wondering why you didn’t think of this yourself.
The recommended #20 pontoon anchor retails for $129.99 with the adjustable flukes, but for $139.99 I would go with the HD version.
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Anchor Bungee Line
Again, this is a separate product from a separate company and while they of course weren’t designed to work together, after testing the combination I can’t see why you wouldn’t pair them.
While looking for a better way to secure the anchor chain to the cleat of our pontoon we reached out to Boat Lines & Dock Ties to get a little more info on its Anchor Bungee Line. We went with the black, 15-foot version that retails for $46.95 (but use the discount code “summer22” on its website to get 15 percent off).
The American-made product stretches to about 60 percent longer and is rated for up to 4,000 pounds. The one-inch tubular webbing UV cover reduces sun damage and extends the life of the bungee cord. On one end is a spring snap hook to secure to the anchor chain and then a quick link hook on the other end to secure to a cleat on your boat.
It worked well for us without any issues and I love that it takes up less storage room on the boat when not in use and looks and performs a lot better than just rope.
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Combo
For a setup that delivers time and time again, we’d recommend both the #20 Anchor HD from Cat River Anchor and the Boat Lines & Dock Ties Anchor Bungee. It’s great to have a solid anchor that grips hard and won’t come loose until you want it to and it’s even more reassuring that if it does become stuck it’s easily retrievable. It’s equally nice to have a compact anchor bungee that is built to last and doesn’t take up nearly the space on board that rope does.
