Any cat guides out there?

[kevslice]

I'd love to go out cattin' on the MN or Mississipi river, but I've never been. I want to hook up w/ a guide. Any guides/ recomendations out there?I've got some heavy duty gear & boat, just unfamilar with the rivers. (I want to keep my lower unit intact!)

[Scott K]

Right now you dont have to worry to much about lower units. Depending on how far up river you plan on going, the dangers increase the further upstream you go. There are flats all the way from the confluence all the way back up past Morton. As of right now, there is a lot of water for you to fish in, and for the fish to swim in, plus I think the spawn may have partially slowed the bite as well.

I would recommend a day trip in the area you plan on fishing to scope it out, then venture out at night, and just remember or mark the obvious obstacles that are sticking above water. These obsacles change daily as well, so dont live by them.

[smeese]

Come down to Mankato and we can probably put you on some spots.....Rivers are high, but Kittys are hungry

[Brad B]

I'd love to go out cattin' on the MN or Mississipi river, but I've never been. I want to hook up w/ a guide. Any guides/ recomendations out there?I've got some heavy duty gear & boat, just unfamilar with the rivers. (I want to keep my lower unit intact!)

there are some things you left out like : are you looking for flatheads or channel cats or both? what area of the mississippi or minnesota you want to fish? looking for large fish or eating size fish? What exactly do you have for gear(this could make a difference depending on what species you want to fish for) and how do you have it setup.

as for actual guides there are very few that I know of do to all the regs that come into play (need to have the coast guard 6 pack license)on the rivers. You may find that it is easier to just get to know a regular river rat and then maybe get out with them. there is a lot of regulars on here that may have a occasional open seat from time to time and may offer it to you. the regulars on here are like a big family. we all know each other(like : Elwood, Dtro, Pushbutton, Borch, & and others).

as for fishing from a boat, there are places that you can fish from shore and do good from so you don't always need a boat. If you wanted to fish channels I could put you on a few good shore spots on the mississippi in the section that runs from clearwater to elk river. I fish this area from shore regularly(even thou I have a boat) and have some nice spots that have produced for me plus this area is also known for it's smallmouth fishing . the average size for channel cats in this area is 20 to 25 inches and 3 to 6lbs. I took my nephew out catfishing for the first time ever in his life in this section and now he is hooked on catfishing and this was from shore. I do plan to buy a river boat(G3 1656 CCJ DLX) once my current boat(Alumacraft Fisherman160CS) is paid off, so eventually I will fish this area from a boat but still fish the same areas I shore fish. Saturdays work best for me(with advanced notice) unless you are close to the area then I could go fishing after work during the week anytime monday, tuesday,or wednesday evenings. by the way I am NOT a guide just a river rat that loves to fish cats and help people just getting started in catfishing.

[hanson]

If you really want to go out with a guide, I'd recommend Brian Klawitter. He typically guides on Pools 3 & 4 of the Mississippi for Flathead Catfish but would definitely put you on channel cats as well.

Its pretty hard to find a catfish guide with a Coast Guard captains license now on the Miss & Minnesota Rivers but Brian does.

[harvey lee]

I agree Chris, Brian would be an excellent choice for a guide for cats.

[kevslice]

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it. Talking with a buddy today, he mentioned just North of the Ford dam on 'sippi has some good activity, but the water level is a bit high now, could wait a while for it to come down. FYI: I'm in the west metro (20 min East of Tonka)

I'm not picky: Flats, Channels, anything BIG. I'd love to hoist up one of those fatties the size of a beach ball! Did alot of carping when I was young, got muskie fever a few years ago, like to try cattin' (Thinking about going to the Trinity river in TX this winter & catch some 'gator gar, too bad there's too much bow fishing down there s/b all catch & release

[Brad B]

If you want "BIG" then go for Flatties on the minnesota river.

[Crankbait10]

Brad, hi could you help point me out with where to fish for in the elk river area? Thinking about fishing for cats within the next week or so? My brother in law caught a nice 22" one and got me all excited now i want some cat action. I have only been nailing crappies so far this year and getting tired of them too easy to reel in then through them back out, LOL. The only place i've caught channel cats is on the Mississippi by the coon rapids dam area but always to crowded there for decent fishing and get lines tangled up. Any help would be appreciated and I'll post what nails the hook up there. BTW im located in the Minneapolis area.

[Brad B]

Crankbait10,

send me a email to the email address in my signature line and I will help you out. I don't want to post specific info on here.

[Crankbait10]

brad email sent! thanks

[Alagnak]

It's not that hard to find one, there are plenty of us with CG licenses that have guided in the midwest for a long time. Just not that many that pimp themselves to a household name 'expert' within a couple years of joining the sport.

[nsnutter]

It's not that hard to find one, there are plenty of us with CG licenses that have guided in the midwest for a long time. Just not that many that pimp themselves to a household name 'expert' within a couple years of joining the sport.

hehehe

[mfreeman451]

last time I was out on the Mississippi I hit a submerged log in the main channel and tore a piece off my anti-cavitation plate, cost me over 800$ to get fixed..

[nsnutter]

sounds scary

[Blue Kayak]

For those wanting to get into catfishing, be sure to check out the Belle Plaine Catfish League in the Minnesota River forum. Here is the link for this year:

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2532451/BPCL_2011#Post2532451

We go out six Friday nights during the summer. I think it is the best way to learn about catfishing on the Minnesota River. The fee is only $60 (at least in 2011), and all the prize money is distributed at an end of the season party for those catching the largest channels and flats. You should also offer to pay for gas and bait.

Of course, it is too late for 2011, but think about joining the league in 2012 if you want to have a good chance at catching a nice flat.