Do you love BIG fish?

[DTro]

I do too!

That is why I love fishing for big Cats.

Just thought I’d share this here for those of you that don’t make it over to the Catfish Forum.

Basically the last couple of years I (with the help of others) have run a big fish contest called the King of the Cats. http://kotc2008.com/

This year we had well over 200 fish entered! There were some very big fish caught.

You can see the pics here: http://www.kotc2008.com/gallery/v/kotc2008/?g2_page=1

Thanks again to everyone involved.

[Scott K]

Very nice fish all, congrats! Kinda makes me want to go fishing tonight, hmmm, I might have to do that

[NCLaker]

Those big cats are frickin' monstors!! Never tried catfishing before. Thanks for sharing!

[LanceJ]

I would love to give that a shot too some time! I've never gone cat fishing and I'm pretty sure at least a couple of my bass rods are beefy enough.

[Ralph Wiggum]

...I'm pretty sure at least a couple of my bass rods are beefy enough.

I wouldn't bet on it

[hanson]

Originally Posted By: LanceJ

...I'm pretty sure at least a couple of my bass rods are beefy enough.

I wouldn't bet on it

Not a chance. Its an entirely different world of equipment.

[NCLaker]

Ice fishing

Pan fishing

Bass/pike fishing

Muskie fishing

Fly fishing

NOW CAT FISHING

A guy can seriouly go broke trying to keep up with all the various types of fishing options out there (I'm sure I am missing a few others from the list). From what I gather, there are a number of FM'ers that partake in most if not all of these variations. I'm rigged and pretty well set for the first 3 on the list, but given all that I have invested so far - It'll be a few years before I can justify the cost of adding another one of the options .

I am afraid to even try ... we all know how dangerous that can be

That Muskie stuff has to rank up there with one of the MOST expensive variations. Lures alone run $15-25+ a piece

[Grant]

the beautiful part of Cattin' is it doesn't require expensive gear.

I use 20 dollar King Kat rods mated with 20 dollar secondhand Penn 209's.

lead I get at Cabelas, under 10 bucks a pack for the big bank sinkers.

Hooks, around 10 per pack of 25 plainjane circles and Kahles.

Swivels, a few bucks a pack for the bigguns.

line, 15 bucks per small spool of 80# PPro.

I buy line once ever other year.

I buy terminal tackle between once and 3 times a year, depending on how much I lose.

It's actually rather easy to go low-budget on cat gear!

[harvey lee]

I don't know grant, I have 5 complete set ups with Abu reels and so much gear it takes up alot of space. I woukld hate to admit what I have spent on the cat fishing and rigging the boat with 7 rod holders and a remote xcontrol light.

It can get spendy if one lets it.

[hanson]

It can get spendy if one lets it.

It sure can, between the Garcia 6500s and 7000s, couple discontinued notorious cat rods (big bucks here), equipment associated with bait tanks, etc... you can run up a small bill.

For those who haven't checked out the Giant Flathead Catfish Video on the front page, better not miss it. I have an in depth segment on catfishing specific gear and techniques along with a monster fish being boated. Its worth the watch!

[Dano2]

heck, you dont have to buy any equipment, just

noodle, heh!

Note from admin, please read forum policy before posting again,thank you.

[wastewaterguru]

Don't let these guys fool ya. I have caught flats on bass rods and sturgeon on my daughters spongebob rod as well......although that experiment ended rather abruptly.

You should not skimp on line weight though. Minimum of 20 pound mono or 40 braided.

I have seen guys land 40 pound flats with walleye rods and 8 pound line.

The real question is all about location.........if you are fishing in front of a log jam with a 6 mile per hour current pushing into it......then you will need a pool cue to stop a 40 pounder from taking you into the snag.

If you are in Redwing, or on the Croix.......lighter tackle can be used.

Just don't use stuff that's so light that the battle takes more then 10 or 15 minutes. For C&R guys like me, a fight that lasts longer than that can't be good for the fish so don't go too light.

I like to fish with as light of gear as I think I can get away with.....

[crazyice]

I for one don't like big fish!

29 lb flathead

80lb Lake Sturgeon

[mrklean]

ive only caught one nicer cat and it was by accident, and every year i tell myself im gonna start cat fishing, maybe ill do it next year after seeing some of those pics

[crazyice]

More evidence that I don't like them big fish!

First muskie ever, 44".

[Paul_Kramer]

Wow, nice fish Andy! When did you get him?

[crazyice]

Saturday evening.