Shakopee area

[jblabsnduck]

Anyone ever fish for cats around the shakopee area?

Have any luck on the river launching from down town?

Any pointers? not looking for your hot spot but just a point in the right direction.

How is the river (besides high right now) for getting around in a boat?

Don't want to run into anything.

[DTro]

I would say the Shakopee area is actually one of the most popular places to fish cats in the Metro area. There are some nice cats in that stretch, but lots of boats competing for them too. They keep the launch up pretty good down there, but sometimes can be pretty darn muddy. It's not bad right now.

Water is very high and we seen some scary big floaters coming downstream last night. I always wonder about those boats running up and down the river at high speed without lights at night and cringe thinking about those floaters. Sure most of the anchored snags are avoidable right now with the high water and pretty easy to see, but some of those rogue floaters are widowmakers.

Not trying to scare you, but for the first few times out, I'd head upstream (so you can float back if necessary) and in the daylight hours to get accustomed to the area.

As far as spots, I've been doing this several years and still pretty clueless from one night to the next. Just wet a line and hope for the best.

[Scott K]

Quote:

As far as spots, I've been doing this several years and still pretty clueless from one night to the next. Just wet a line and hope for the best.

Very well said!

[jblabsnduck]

Not scaring me. I am not stupid, I would NEVER blow up or down the river not knowing the river.

I am just looking a getting started back into cat fishin.

I used to do it a lot growing up but mainly in lakes. (So. CA)

Question about the landing.

I have a 17 foot boat with a bunk trailer.

Is it hard to get the boat back on with a bunk or is the water not moving to fast where it isn't an issue?

My brother died 4 years ago come july and he/we loved to fish cats.

So evry July 7th I make it a point to go fishing for him.

I thought what better to do than get back catin.

Thanks for you input.

P.S. Have any of you guys ever used chunks of cut makrel?

We used to use that all the time.

[Lowblazah]

bunk or roller trailers have no issues right now. The launch is somewhat flooded tho so it makes it hard launching by yourself without getting your feet wet.

I have never used cut mackerel. Sounds expensive. Cut sucker does plenty good for channel cats if thats what your after.

[rushing]

I know cut mackerel is pretty popular for blues and channels in the lakes in Ca. I could be wrong but I also thought that some of the lakes you aren't allowed to use live bait in? I am sure mackerel will work but I'd also bring along some live bait if you are lookin for flatheads.

[CarpinMNRiver]

I launch out of Shakopee 3 or 4 nights a week with a 18 ft boat and a roller trailer. It was fine tonight but with the water going down it may be a little tricky until the water drops further and it gets cleaned out a little bit. I keep a pair of rubber boots in the boat for loading the boat back up. It makes it a little easier instead of the doing the circus act trying to balance on the trailer. I would recommend launching and checking out the areas you plan on driving if staying out past dark. It will be interesting to see what the river looks like after the water drops after the last 2 floods.

[nsnutter]

I keep a pair of rubber boots in the boat for loading the boat back up. It makes it a little easier instead of the doing the circus act trying to balance on the trailer.

Lol you must have just thrown those in the trailer ... I'm used to seeing you perform a balancing act when landing her You sure you're not a gymnast and not a basketball player?

[CarpinMNRiver]

They were probably in the boat or the garage. I haven't fallen off yet. I figured going in the water is better than cracking my head on the trailer when loading up in the middle of the night by myself.

[pureinsanity]

You should just make your fishing buddy for the night back you in and do all the cranking. You should never have to get in the water or leave your boat