HSO's "Get the L.E.D. Out" Elk River MN Catfish Gathering April 30

[Shack]

The location will be Otsego County Park in Elk River/Otsego MN on Saturday the 30th:

This year it is a little different. We have swollen rivers and the spring rains have not hit so stay turned if conditions change the location or date. Time is tight IMO to get a decent sized group on a very crazy channel bite within our time frame. Plus they seem to pool towards shore more this time of year (IMO). This will be primarily an evening event, but ideal conditions are early evening & right after dark. As long as we are just fishing the park hours are not an issue (Thanks to the Wright County Sheriffs Department).

This should be a good time and is not just limited to only catfish. Carp & sucker are in good numbers. Before sunset is the best time. This will be nothing huge, so bringing yourself and your tackle is really the only thing needed. If you would like to bring anything else that is perfectly fine.

As far as what is needed:

A medium-heavy fishing pole of any make or style. Most times the cheap bargain mart specials do just fine. They also have combo set-ups with either spinning or bait casting reels (you choice). I would stray away from getting a combo with the line on it. The line recommended is preferably 15-30lb test mono (Berkley Big Game is a good option) or a middle weight range braid 30-65lb's like Power Pro or Suffix. I have been using some 65lb Power Pro on a Penn bait caster reel with a 7' white rod with good results. Preferably 2, 3, or maybe 4 oz. No-Roll, Bank, Diamond, half dollar sinkers, (throwing out a number) 100lb or less swivel, and4/0, 5/0, 6/0, or maybe 7/0 circle hook hooks of your liking. I prefer Gamakatsu. Then pick up some frozen or live suckers, large chubs, smelt or even crawlers (nice to always bring) from your local bait store. Then things like pop, food, chair, or whatever should be obvious

Any form or level of Cat Geek or Cat Geek Wannabe is totally welcome!

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Definitely add anything you feel I have forgotten. If just 2 guys/gals/kids show up that would be just fine. If it is 20+ guys/gals/kids that would be even better. Everyone is invited.

Thanks.

[Brad B]

Shack,

Regardless of where you end up holding this I will be there. I don't know if you have been down there lately but if it keeps up like it is now that whole end of the park along the river will be under water. I fished in front of that bench we where by last year and the water is like 3 to feet from the top of the bank. where we where standing last year is now under about 5 feet of water. I fished it saturday for 2 hours with no luck and tonight for a hour with one possible bite but I didn't get to the rod in time(a few to many steps from it when the tip moved. I have also fished montissippi for a hour on saturday. my record so far is 0-3 (the fish are winning). I just need to catch one before the need of April for the KOTC Contest (I want to get in on the drawing for the reel but can't until I register a fish). I plan to keep a eye on the parks from now to the end of summer. I got 5 hours of cattin in for this season already and hope the string of skunks will end soon.

[Brad B]

Shack you may want to lock last years thread so people don't responde there.

[Shack]

Yep, good idea Brad. I figured by the 30th things should settle down some and allow for some good shoreline to open up. If it is just down from the highest ledge (the top) then we are golden. Flooded over and of course that would be bad. Down the ledge 3' is do able but makes a pain for landing fish.

[mrklean]

ill see you guys there

[Rick G]

I will also be there this year

[Shack]

The next week and the rain will tell the tale of the rivers level. IMO it is looking good if we do not get a monsoon between now and then.

[Brad B]

I might try to get out there on sunday and check the river level and maybe try some fishing.

[Brad B]

Made it out there today, but only was out for a hour(too cold). no fish to show for it(I am 0 for 4 so far this season, the fish are winning). the river is still high maybe even a little higher then the last time I was out. The area we fished last year is fishable but there is only enough room there for 3 or 4 people do to the high water. there is that other area by that other bench that could hold 3 or 4 people and then there is the main part of the park that is really open and could hold a large number of people. It will all depend on how many people show up for this event. I guess the next thing to try would be chicken livers since the cut suckers have not been working for me. hope the fish will bite during the event.

[mrklean]

water temps?

[Rick G]

I made it out up here for a few hours today and water level has droped since Sat. so it should start going down in that neck of the woods soon.

I too have not had a lot of luck yet with 2 small cats and a few suckers in 3 times out. Water temp was 43 in the current and in the upper 40's in the backwater areas. I am guessing once water temps get around 50 it will be game on .

[Brad B]

yea it doesn't help things that the monticello nuke plant is still on a scheduled shutdown for the annual outage. I think this has alot to do with the fish not being active plus the high water doesn't help either. the place I was fishing this weekend has about 6+ feet of water more this year then last year at this time. if I was to stand in the same place as last year I would be completely under water. if the nuke plant was running the water would be around 50 to 60 degrees now in the monticello section of the river.

[Brad B]

riverfishingmiss,

have you tried the sauk river yet. I was thinking of trying it as soon as it gets a little warmer out.

[Brad B]

water temps?

don't have anything to check with when I am shore fishing, now if I had my boat out the depth finder includes water temp on it.

[SalmonSlayer]

I'm going to try and make it. Got a catfish combo for my birthday I need to try out. Never catfished before. Would you guys be able to show a rookie the ropes?

[Rick G]

Brad, no I have not been out on the chain yet but I was thinking of going Thu. for pannies and maybe a few cats in the evening if it's nice out.

[Brad B]

Brad, no I have not been out on the chain yet but I was thinking of going Thu. for pannies and maybe a few cats in the evening if it's nice out.

if you go let me know how you do.

[Brad B]

I'm going to try and make it. Got a catfish combo for my birthday I need to try out. Never catfished before. Would you guys be able to show a rookie the ropes?

.

there would be more than enough people willing to help you at this event. if for some reason the event would get canceled do to weather or you couldn't make it I would be willing to set something up to go out with you and teach you some stuff about cat fishing. What exactly did you get for a combo and what size line do you have on it. this will determine how heavy of a sinker you can use.

[SalmonSlayer]

I have the Shakespeare catfish combo. The orange and white rod with the spinning reel. I took off the stock line and put on some Suffix 30lb mono.

[Brad B]

I have the Shakespeare catfish combo. The orange and white rod with the spinning reel. I took off the stock line and put on some Suffix 30lb mono.

that is a good set up for the area where the get together is being held since the typical channel cat in this area is 3 to 5 lbs with the occasional bigger one mixed in. plus that rod I believe can throw up to a 3oz sinker. I use the shakespeare ugly stik cat series rod (it is the next step up from your rod). I have both the casting and spinning verison and they work great. They would be a little to light duty for flatheads but this area only has channels and they are perfect for them.

[Brad B]

Just wanted to put this out there. if there is anyone new to cat fishing that wants to attend this and you don't have a rod or if you have a rod but it is not big enough for catfishing let me know. I have 3 catfish spinning set ups that I would let you use one of them during the event. I do have a spare casting set up but the reel is a left hand retrieve.

[tsande00]

I'm hoping to get out to this event. I'm also a rookie and would love to get some tips in person and see how it's done. I've tried twice in Monticello with no luck.

My setup isn't very good either - a Kmart special spinning combo with 40 pound mono line. The line seems too heavy for the reel - only can spool up 50 yards or so...line is probably too heavy as well for these channel cats.

[DTro]

Hey Brad, I wanna see a kitty caught on that pole you won.

[pushbutton]

My setup isn't very good either - a Kmart special spinning combo with 40 pound mono line. The line seems too heavy for the reel - only can spool up 50 yards or so...line is probably too heavy as well for these channel cats.

Don't worry about nice gear for these fish, thats the beauty of northern miss. river rat. there is not much out there that a kmart special with pre spooled 10lb mono on can't catch. If you feel the need to upgrade your line get something like the sufix 832 20lb. It is the diameter of 6lb. mono with a ton more strength and abrasion resistance.

[Brad B]

Hey Brad, I wanna see a kitty caught on that pole you won.

.

yea I do to. Just need to find a open seat with someone(hint,hint). once I learn the minnesota river I plan to take my boat out on it. if all works out I will have the rod and my boat at the G2G when you decide to have it this year down there. that rod to me is more of a flathead rod and not a channel rod unless I was up on the red river with it. Now I just need to win a spinning verison of it so I have a matched pair.