CATFISH

[catfishfever]

I was really surprised when I came to this (forum(?) fish), and seen that Catfish were lumped in with "other fish":huh:. Yet Whitebass have their own thread, those "huge 3, maybe 4 pounders. Yet what I consider, I'm sure there are others, who consider Catfish a worthy and significant member of the sport fish family, considering they weigh in in any where from the 30 to 100lb plus range.
I realize I'm " new guy", but I just feel Catfish are ignored as compared to other species. I'm off the soap box, thanks for reading.

 

[LedHed]

Totally agree - the Rodney Dangerfield - of fishdom

 

[Hawnjigs]

Can the big uns be targeted on jigs?

 

[catfishfever]

Can the big uns be targeted on jigs?

They sure can. In the winter we use jigs(3/4oz) with cut bait (Milford Lake, Ks) with a little chunk of cut bait, deep water, just under the schools of shad(when it ain't froze, like it is now).
Quite a few of the guy's I know will fish the riprap (dam and causeway) in the spring with a jig under a float, and catch some nice Flatheads.

I'd like to add, I didn't mean to sound like I was cutting down the Whitebass, great little fighters. I just feel Catfish are'nt appreciated enough as a sport fish. I think we deserve a species thread too!

 

[toadfrog]

Matter of fact Hawn I got a buddy in New Mexico plans on doing just that . I tied up 2 of those you sent me for him. Don't be surprised if I jump up and order a bunch of heads.

 

[AtticaFish]

CFF - I think we could seperate the cats into their own section... give me a few days... You are correct in the fact that cats do not get the recognition they deserve sometimes - they are fun to catch!

As far as targeting them... I do have 1 lake i go to several times a year specificly to catch channel cats for the smoker. The fish i am looking to take home are anything under 20" or so, they just taste better IMO. I have tight-line bottom fished it with shrimp and usually find the larger fish keep tighter to the bottom. To shoot for the 'eater' size fish, i use a 1/8th oz. jig with half a night crawler (or leech) under a slipfloat, usually set down about 15' for this lake. The combo of the heavy head/slip float makes for good distance casting. Once the bait is down, i just very slowly reel in. I also catch them occasionaly at this lake when trolling/drifting for crappie with tied minnow pattern baits.

For river fishing, i have found that spinners - clip on beetle spin type - and darker colors improve my chances with catfish on artifical bait. My focus in the river is for the smallmouth but it is always fun to hook into a healthy cat on the light-weight gear!

 

[Radtexan]

Can the big uns be targeted on jigs?

Ive never caught a big one on jigs,but we do catch lots of good ones chasing crappie with jigs.Mainly channel and yellows..Witnesed up to 20# on a 1/8 th oz jig,and have friends caught them in the 30 # range..

My biggest on a jig 14 #


I might have shared this pic before,but two springs ago we were chasing some walleys with small crank baits,and light test equipment when this ole girl paid me a visit......

 

[johnt-ms]

good eats right there

 

[johnt-ms]

good eats right there

 

[catfishfever]

Atticfish, thanks. It would sure be great to have a personal thread for "our" fish, mine any way.
Let a couple friends of mine in on your place, they said they'd come check you out. I let'em know it's a great place to visit at least.

 

[catfishfever]

Here's a picture of a 15+lb Wiper I caught in January while drifting for Catfish. I released it, but when I made my next drift, it was wriggling belly up, so I netted it to take home and eat. When the Frau seen it, she said, "WOW, you gotta get that one mounted", I didn't argue, here it is. State record Wiper is around 23lbs or so, I believe.

 

[Radtexan]

good eats right there

The little one was...couldnt bring myself to cleaning the big one...

 

[catfishfever]

Cove down below the house finally got some open water, wind blew it to the back of the cove 3 days ago. We policed up quite a few dead shad. Been fishing/catching some nice eater size Channelcats 3# +. Been using sour shad and guts, haven't had the cut bait touched, they sure gobble down the guts though.
Heading down there in just a little bit. Hope y'all had a nice weekend.

 

[AtticaFish]

......Been fishing/catching some nice eater size Channelcats 3# +.....

Sounds like fun to me! Currently in the dreaded in-between phase here - water too hard to cast/boat fish and too soft to ice fish. Glad you are finding some fish.

 

[catfishfever]

Atticafish, thanks for the CATFISH thread, and moving my post. Did real good today, couple of friends came down and fished with me, we wound up catching 29 Channels, released 8 (2lbs or less), those we kept were from -3lbs to 4.5.
All on sour shad and guts, mostly on the guts though.

 

[catfishfever]

Cove down below the house finally got some open water, wind blew it to the back of the cove 3 days ago. We policed up quite a few dead shad. Been fishing/catching some nice eater size Channelcats 3# +. Been using sour shad and guts, haven't had the cut bait touched, they sure gobble down the guts though.
Heading down there in just a little bit. Hope y'all had a nice weekend.