Bigger catfish help

[Points]

I need some tips on catching the bigger cats. I just seem to get many in the 8 pound max size limit. I know there are big fish around. I was an idiot and learned (and lost a fish b/c of it) that snap swivles couldn't hold up to these brutes.

This year I want to quit messing with the smaller guys and go after some big'uns. I usually fish a dip bait, shrimp, fresh shad, worms, or live bluegill/creek chub-(3 and 5 inches respectively). I've found dip bait and shrimp will catch channels to 24", and white cats and mud cats and turtles. the shad gets channels and flatheads(an ocassional blue) to 8 pounds or so. Worms will get the channels and smaller blues. My bluegills and creek chubs are the least productive (WTF?) but can get bigger fish. thing is that usually my dip bait and worms outfish shad, cut shad, and live bait. I usu use shrimp for convenience-usu channels and white catfish.

So now I want to move up a weight class and need some tips. I have a kayak and fishfinder and topo maps of the lakes I want to fish. I figure it is time to start messing with some 25 lb and up wiskered dumbells.

Here is a pic of my best from last year.

[Points]

pic is here

[Copespitter]

I would try finding a new fishing spot or two. The spots your fishing apparently hold smaller fish.

Try fishing at night.

Maybe "chum" an area prior to fishing it if its legal.

A few years back I read a story where this guy had a secret catfish bait that involved old cheese and hog brains that was fermented for several weeks in a barrel. Apparently if one could get over the smell it was by far the best bait.

The problem with fishing bait is that your going to catch alot of small fish so I would think a large bluegill would be better bait.

I ran into a guy that was snorkeling the river by my house and he said most of the catfish he saw were hiding in brush or log jams under trees.

[9099]

Look for structure and Go Deep! These are deep water cats pulled from a dam.
http://tinypic.com/r77pko.jpg

[resurrected]

coagulated chicken livers.

[Chipman]

I would find some of the deep holes in the lake and if possible do some chumming several times during the week a few days before fishing the area..There is nothing wrong with having them called up and waiting for you when you get there.

By chumming I mean a block of frozen blood bait or liver. Anything that will call them and then let them eat means the next day they will try the same spot again.

[1stindoor]

Here's an old favorite of mine...large crawdads. The trick is to snap off one of the pinchers...don't ask me why...but it always seem to work better than not doing it.

[fitnessman]

coagulated chicken livers.

Not for the big uns Bob :)

Channels and Flatheads are predators once medium size is reached in their water. At this point they prefer live bait. The bigger they are the more wary they are.

To get the truly big fish Night time seems to be best around here. The trick is: NO LIGHT. Keep in mind you are hunting monsters and they are smart.

When I go after Flatheads at night, my goal is one solid hook up. Flats run 40-50lbs here in Ohio with the state record being 99lbs.

Getting big cats means forgetting about numbers. You have to spend large amounts of TOW to figure where these beasts hide and how/what the are feeding on.

If legal in your state, I have found no better gaint killer then Goldfish.

Kick back on the bank, enjoy the night with a good friend and conversation, next thing ya know ya have some monster cat on the line.

Please practice catch and release with the trophy.

Happy hunting!

[ndagym2006]

yep, they say goldfish are the #1 bait for monster cats.

[lebronjames]

just wondering, isnt a kayak too small to catch a "monster" catfish?

[fitnessman]

just wondering, isnt a kayak too small to catch a "monster" catfish?

Be a heck of a ride!

[resurrected]

Not for the big uns Bob :)

Channels and Flatheads are predators once medium size is reached in their water. At this point they prefer live bait. The bigger they are the more wary they are.

To get the truly big fish Night time seems to be best around here. The trick is: NO LIGHT. Keep in mind you are hunting monsters and they are smart.

When I go after Flatheads at night, my goal is one solid hook up. Flats run 40-50lbs here in Ohio with the state record being 99lbs.

Getting big cats means forgetting about numbers. You have to spend large amounts of TOW to figure where these beasts hide and how/what the are feeding on.

If legal in your state, I have found no better gaint killer then Goldfish.

Kick back on the bank, enjoy the night with a good friend and conversation, next thing ya know ya have some monster cat on the line.

Please practice catch and release with the trophy.

Happy hunting!
Aint no biguns where I live anyways, seems the river eats them up....

[Points]

What kind of goldfish, those ones that you get from Wal Mart for 7 cents a piece? or the bigger guys.

Also how deep of water are we talking. I was thinking about hitting up some underwater mounds that are 18 feet or so deep with surrounding water of 30 feet. Any particular structure to look for? I know of an area on the river that has lots of downed trees- I may try to check it out tomorrow.

[fitnessman]

The bait stores sell them around here..The are like 4" and stay alive forever on the hook...Again check your regs to see if allowed.

Downed trees with access to deep water is always a good start..As long as there is feed there.

Bob, there are HUUUUGE cats in PA!

[resurrected]

The bait stores sell them around here..The are like 4" and stay alive forever on the hook...Again check your regs to see if allowed.

Downed trees with access to deep water is always a good start..As long as there is feed there.

Bob, there are HUUUUGE cats in PA!
Not in the Ohio river there isn't. At least not in my area.

[fitnessman]

Not in the Ohio river there isn't. At least not in my area.


:confused:

[resurrected]

:confused:
Why the question marks? I fished this fricking place last year and got small cats roughly 6-10 inches only. It is weird cause i always catch some good fish.

[fitnessman]

Why the question marks? I fished this fricking place last year and got small cats roughly 6-10 inches only. It is weird cause i always catch some good fish.

Bob the whole Ohio river around where I fish is poluted with monsters!

[Points]

The Ohio river is a good fishery-I've seen write ups in mags. You must have gotten into some small bullheads if you only got 6-10" catfish. Even decent sized channels will take liver- I caught a 29" channel cat last year on fresh liver.

[resurrected]

Bob the whole Ohio river around where I fish is poluted with monsters!
I am near the beaver river area where it connects into the ohio. I swear I fished the hell out of this place last year and caught very little.
Do you eat them out of the River?

[Nainoa]

Not for the big uns Bob :)

Channels and Flatheads are predators once medium size is reached in their water. At this point they prefer live bait. The bigger they are the more wary they are.

To get the truly big fish Night time seems to be best around here. The trick is: NO LIGHT. Keep in mind you are hunting monsters and they are smart.

When I go after Flatheads at night, my goal is one solid hook up. Flats run 40-50lbs here in Ohio with the state record being 99lbs.

Getting big cats means forgetting about numbers. You have to spend large amounts of TOW to figure where these beasts hide and how/what the are feeding on.

If legal in your state, I have found no better gaint killer then Goldfish.

Kick back on the bank, enjoy the night with a good friend and conversation, next thing ya know ya have some monster cat on the line.

Please practice catch and release with the trophy.

Happy hunting!


^^^

Now I don't Cat Fish a lot, but I've purposefully fished for Cats more than I have purposefully fished for Large Mouth Bass...

When they're smaller (Say Sub 8 pounds) Chicken Liver is the way to go. (Or at least it has been when I've tried it.) Use a good circle hook and you're in the money.

When you're going bigger you have to go live bait on a large circle hook... And for the love of God, use a bait caster with strong line... The large one's most of the time are the Apex Predator in their area... You have to treat it with the same respect you would any other Apex Predator, like a Musky, a Huge Pike or a 10+ pound Walleye...

And you're going to have to expend some real effort...


Two bait tricks...
Either, Buy large sucker minnows...

Or if you're an intrepid angler, go Bull head fishing earlier... Catch a couple of small bullhead, "Accidentally" wound it, Hook it and go...

***
And of course fish at night for the true monsters... After dark is the true hot time for large Cats... Trying to catch a large cat in the day time hours is like trying to win the friggin' lotto... It's all a matter of luck... Going at night at least you're giving your skills a fighting chance.

***
Or I suppose you could just go with the old rotary phone and Car Battery trick!

[fitnessman]

I have disagree about the baitcaster, preference of mine is the Okuma EB50 Bait running spinning reel on an 11' 3.5lb test curve rod.

Set your lines in the euro stlye rod pod and wait for the alarm to sound :D

www.wackerbaits has some awesome stuff for the bank...Check out pods, buzzbars and alarms. Even though this is euro Carp style gear, it work so very well for cats...I have even used mine for Steelhead and Burbot at night.

Toys...It's all about the toys :D

[Hartski]

Good, God, there so many huge catfish around here, it's not even funny. Lake Red Rock, the Wapsi River below the damn in Central City and Anamosa, Coralville Resivior, Missouri River.........they are everywhere. We always used small bluegills for bait. Make some small cuts along their back and tail to let them bleed, and put them on a big-ass hook Strangely enough, this also works for snapping turtles.:D

Here's an article on Iowa catfishing.
http://www.iowagameandfish.com/fishing/IA_0605_01/index1.html

[Points]

Last spring I saw some 20+ carp hanging in the creek chanels when I was bass fishing. When I was a kid we'd try and go for carp b/c they were so big.

Fit..man- You'd go against baitcasters b/c of night fishing-I guess? I Like them for fighting but they do suck at night.

What line test do you use, I have 17 lb line with 4/0 circle hooks on a m or MH rods. Am I still thinking small fish?

In NC we can use bluegill, a gamefish-w/ no size or # limit for bait as long as they are caught on hook and line-i.e. no netting or traps.

Also , flatheads are considered an intoduced species and can deplete the native game fishery via appetite. In NC these fish should be considered catch and keep. http://www.ncsu.edu/BulletinOnline/10_02/catfish.htm

[CitadelArmyJAG]

Do those big cats ever take ducks or anything?

[Points]

they will take ducklings.

[fitnessman]

Points, I use 6/30 power pro.

Save the bait casters for walleye/bass :)

[Geno]

I try to find the deepest water in the lakes around here with some kind of cover (trees, big rocks, rubble, etc.) fish them only at night and use the largest live bait you can find. I catch suckers in the creek that runs through my woods and throw out anything under 8". 1-2 hookups a night is all you can hope for and there will be plenty of nights with nothing. My last big one - 31lb blue - came from under a large bridge (I really like the large bridges because they usually have been rebuilt at least once and have a good bit of rubble under them) in 45' of water. The surrounding area is all about 25' or less. I do use a light but only to attract shad as I fish for other stuff to cut down on the boredom and if the water's deeper than 30-40 feet I don't think it bothers them. When the shad are swirling under the light take a throw net and catch a dozen or so, injure or kill them and pitch them over the side, also ripping a snatch rig through the shad ball injures a good bit and down they go into the depths to attract meat eaters. I like my suckers lively and uninjured - it seems they take them better - a much harder hit and since I fish in mostly open water I rarely use heavier than 12 lb line. That is an oddity though, if you are anywhere near cover that would snag or abrade the line 14-20 or even heavier may be in order. I use a baitcatser for the simple reason that it has a smooooooth drag - very important for big fish of any type but I have caught them on every kind of rod and reel combo imaginable. The main things are use bait that would scare most fish, be VERY patient and fish at night.

[Nainoa]

Do those big cats ever take ducks or anything?

I've never heard of a Cat taking a Duck... However I've heard of Musky Taking them and once saw what I can only assume was a Musky taking a duckling...

They do make Musky Lures that look like Baby ducks... So IF a giant Catfish would take a duckling, you could use the Musky Lure for that purpose...

But I think you might be getting too specific if you were to take that route.

[Hartski]

I was at Theissen's looking at fishing poles yesterday, and they had a couple sweet catfish rigs for under $40 each.

They were something like this:
http://www.fishusa.com/tackleshop/catalog_product.asp?ProductFamilyID=%7BDD5E4723%2D DA69%2D4A11%2DB750%2D26AC1232737C%7D&i=DB34864FB6A9483B9ABB4D38C776B27C&fx=1

[fitnessman]

I was at Theissen's looking at fishing poles yesterday, and they had a couple sweet catfish rigs for under $40 each.

They were something like this:
http://www.fishusa.com/tackleshop/catalog_product.asp?ProductFamilyID=%7BDD5E4723%2D DA69%2D4A11%2DB750%2D26AC1232737C%7D&i=DB34864FB6A9483B9ABB4D38C776B27C&fx=1

*cough* CRAP *cough*

:D

I only use Rods....I don't own any "poles" :D

[Hartski]

*cough* CRAP *cough*

:D

I only use Rods....I don't own any "poles" :D

Well I don't know what is quality or not. :(

What would you reccommend?


Anything about hunting, competition shooting, or Snipers, I'm your guy, but I'm still a newb at fishing.

[Geno]

Rods - poles - whether or not it was a good rod or pole.............................. I'm staying out of this one.:D

[Hartski]

Rods - poles - whether or not it was a good rod or pole.............................. I'm staying out of this one.:D

Range-985 Meters
Windage-3 clicks left
:mad:






:D

[Geno]

Range-985 Meters
Windage-3 clicks left
:mad:






:D



LOL - Just don't neg me :D

[Nainoa]

Well I don't know what is quality or not. :(

What would you reccommend?


Anything about hunting, competition shooting, or Snipers, I'm your guy, but I'm still a newb at fishing.

When I want brute power, such as for going after a big cat... Without putting a huge price tag on it... I go with Ugly Stick.

Of my 6 open water Rods, I have 3 Ugly Sticks... They're all my primary Rod for their specific job... I once caught a 12 pound cat fish on my Light Ugly Stick... I was just pan fishing, and trying out some 6 pound fire line...

The cat got up the boat... Saw the boat and ran...

He took the Jig with him... As he went under the boat, then thrashed and came up on the other side... My Rod was bent so far around that the last eye was touching my Pinky... A damn near perfect 360... And it didn't break!

My Buddy netted the fish, released the line and it catapulted back into shape... Rod is still Good as new...

AND THAT WAS A LIGHT ACTION ROD!

Soon I'm buying my Heavy Action Ugly Stick Bait caster for Musky... So we'll see what happens!

True with Ugly stick you do lose some finesse... But if you pay attention to the vibration of your line, and you buy the US with the sensative tip, it's not much of a difference...

***
As for what you've got there...

Mitchell isn't a bad name at all... I have a friend who goes out of his way to buy everything Mitchell, and he's outfished me a day or two in his life to boot... I've hardly used a mitchell...

I say it's good enough to start learning on... And when you have a better idea of what you want with some time and experience, then you can sink a fat wad of cash into your ultimate pimped out Combo!

[Hartski]

Which type of reel is best for big cats?

[Nainoa]

Which type of reel is best for big cats?

Well I'm a Guide Series and Abu Garcia Fan... At least when it comes to brands that aren't going to turn my check book into a desolate waste land...

It also depends on which way you want to go, Bait Caster or Spinning...

If you're just working Lakes for Cats, Or you don't know how to use a Bait Caster, then I'd go with some heavy Spinning reel...
I'd go up to the desk at whatever sportsman's store and ask them what they've got... Most places are pretty good about not over doing you with mid ranged gear.

If you're working a River and you know how to run a Spinning Reel... Then I'd go Abu Garcia C3 5500 or 6500 series.
I'm slapping that onto an Ugly stick and with 50 pound Spider Wire Stealth, I should be able to catch anything that swims on inland waters!

Granted I'm not a master with the Bait Caster... I'm working to perfect my abilities with it this year, and have even been casting at Targets in the back yard for the last month or so!
(Yeah My neighbors think I'm insane... Especially because I do it in my Cold weather fishing clothes!)

[Hartski]

Me and baitcasters don't get along too well. I can snarf up the line quicker than you can say dammit.

I used to have a small spinning reel, and I was pretty decent at operating it, but since i'm a Lefty, I have to switch the handle over, and I ended up losing the nut and the rest of the handle in the water, right as something bit. :(

[Nainoa]

Me and baitcasters don't get along too well. I can snarf up the line quicker than you can say dammit.

I used to have a small spinning reel, and I was pretty decent at operating it, but since i'm a Lefty, I have to switch the handle over, and I ended up losing the nut and the rest of the handle in the water, right as something bit. :(


Yeah if you don't have a bait caster tuned right, a little bit of inexperience can add up to a lot of head aches...

I would just get some beefy Spinning reel, a 7-7.5' Rod and call it a day.

Well I'm out for the weekend!

Take Care Bros!

[fitnessman]

I feel it always best to start with quality. IMO Ugly Sticks are just aweful. Once your angling skills increase they will sit in the corner unused.

If you have to buy a rod and reel combo, buy something that will last you years and years.

For basics a combo (for whatever species) price range will be around 100 bucks.

A 40 dollar combo will leave you at best..Disappointed.

Look at it this way: Think of your gear as supplements..You get what you pay for.

I may not be the best guy here to be talking about this...My last real was 400 dollars :eek: Worth every penny!

[Hartski]

I feel it always best to start with quality. IMO Ugly Sticks are just aweful. Once your angling skills increase they will sit in the corner unused.

If you have to buy a rod and reel combo, buy something that will last you years and years.

For basics a combo (for whatever species) price range will be around 100 bucks.

A 40 dollar combo will leave you at best..Disappointed.

Look at it this way: Think of your gear as supplements..You get what you pay for.

I may not be the best guy here to be talking about this...My last real was 400 dollars :eek: Worth every penny!


What would you reccommend for a good all-around rod and reel for a relative newb like me? Is there one that would be good for multiple types of fish?

[Points]

Fireline is strong as **** and casts far as hell-must use palomar knots. I would think a decent spinning reel (shimano sedona) with an ugly stick light (fitnessman gasps) would be a decent combo. I might spend the $$ and go with graphite though. For throwing off the bank and general purpose maybe a 12-20 lb mono line and a 6-7 foot rod.

[GREENFEATHER]

What would you reccommend for a good all-around rod and reel for a relative newb like me? Is there one that would be good for multiple types of fish?


I'm a big Penn fan, also the higher end Diawa, not the stuff you'll find at Wallyworld. At the very least, 2 combos would be what you would need. Something a little lighter for panfish and something a tad heavier for big cats, muskie or saltwater. Of course I have a blast on ultralights with 2 lb Pompano, that's a damned blast when they're chopping up bait in the surf and it's a light wind day!! It's like hooking onto the back end of a VW, those little suckers don't know the meaning of give up.

Look at it like this, it's like your rifle. You wouldn't use an M-82 or 83 at 500 metres, that would be better suited to the M24. (is it still called that? ). The right weapon for the right job!

[Nainoa]

Fireline is strong as **** and casts far as hell-must use palomar knots. I would think a decent spinning reel (shimano sedona) with an ugly stick light (fitnessman gasps) would be a decent combo. I might spend the $$ and go with graphite though. For throwing off the bank and general purpose maybe a 12-20 lb mono line and a 6-7 foot rod.

With Fireline I have a Love-Hate relationship...

I love it for it's castability, and strength... But in tricky situations it can be frustrating... Light Fireline on my Medium-Light rod, rigged for panfishing will fray and cause bizare tangle situations... And when you get it caught up in a bad snag, and go to break the knot, it often won't give...

Last year I snagged up my jig into a thick Lillypad... I finally gave up, so I went to go pull the knot, to try to save line cutting... The knot refused to give and I ended up, up rooting the Lillpad...
Another time I snaged up on a rock in the Mississippi, and the knot simply would not give, so I had to cut the line.


****
So in my current "Line Scheme" for 2006, I'm going with:

Musky (Hvy Bait Casting) Rod: 50 Pound Spiderwire Stealth
Heavy (Spinning) Rod: 12 pound Fire Line
Medium-Light (Spinning) Rod: 6 pound Vanish Mono
Medium (Spinning) Rod: 8 Pound Mono (This is my borrow out Rod)
Ultra-Light (Spinning) Rod: 4 Pound Vanish

***
My Heavy Spinning Rod is for when I'm hand trolling for Walleye, and fish that are in less snag prone areas, so I feel comfortable casting and trolling the FL.

[fitnessman]

Fireline: I always use a lighter Vanish leader.

[Points]

As Fitnessman says, a leader is a good idea, Fireline is very visible in water, I believe Vanish is a florocarbon with a similar index of refraction to water, hence becomes invisible in water. I have often just bent hooks with fireline before it breaks, it also has 0 stretch which gives good feedback but you may miss hits by setting too soon.

[fitnessman]

Thank you points.

In almost every situation a fluro type leader should be used off a braid. On Erie I use 1/4 Fireline for perch (Can't beat the feel) and will out fish mono 3-4 to 1. Key is fluro leader.

Same for Walleye. 3/8 FL and a vanish leader if casting (feel). Trolling I use 8/30 Power Pro with a 17lb vanish leader.

I think I will start a line thread :)

[resurrected]

I feel it always best to start with quality. IMO Ugly Sticks are just aweful. Once your angling skills increase they will sit in the corner unused.

If you have to buy a rod and reel combo, buy something that will last you years and years.

For basics a combo (for whatever species) price range will be around 100 bucks.

A 40 dollar combo will leave you at best..Disappointed.

Look at it this way: Think of your gear as supplements..You get what you pay for.

I may not be the best guy here to be talking about this...My last real was 400 dollars :eek: Worth every penny!

Holy **** Mark!!!!!!!!!! I go to walmart and spend 40.00 for one.

[Points]

Holy **** Mark!!!!!!!!!! I go to walmart and spend 40.00 for one.
I got an Abu Garcia 5600 for 40$ at wally world (usu 90 or so) and my wife was concerned that I already have enough rods. I'd be wearing sunglasses to work the next day if I bought a 400$ reel before getting her the diamond band she wants. But about the reel, I want to take on the bioggest fish in the lake and she is ready-May is our month.

[Hartski]

I got an Abu Garcia 5600 for 40$ at wally world (usu 90 or so) and my wife was concerned that I already have enough rods. I'd be wearing sunglasses to work the next day if I bought a 400$ reel before getting her the diamond band she wants. But about the reel, I want to take on the bioggest fish in the lake and she is ready-May is our month.

Really, Cubic Zirconia looks just like diamonds.:D

[tonytartufo]

*****SANTEE COOPER in South Carolina has some gorgeous looking cats.
35-45lb big uns are not uncommon!