oh...oh!!

[PYROPAL]

looks like the fish have me out gunned as far as my line and reels (well 2 anyway) i read a post by cooter and the answers he got were very helpful. what is "cork'n"? drifting bait with a slip bobber rig? i haven't been this excited since i went to b.w.c.a. when i was a kid! any suggestions on good cat fishing videos?

[Canuck]

Corkin. Well that can be some of the most exciting fishing for channels. This is usually done in 1 to 4' of water. What U do is float your bait down the flow where the kitties are laying in weight for supper. This way U can cover alot more water. You have to be able to cast without backlashes and be aware U are going to get alot more snags. Alittle hint is use slightly less line on bottom portion, because this will prevent U from losing your whole rig.

I am not really good at describing things and would really love Eddy (Backwater Eddy) to do a visual drawing of the set up. I usually don't do it with clients because most can not cast and/or get out of snags without retying and retying and retying and retying, but it is one of my favorite way of fishing channels. When U see a kitty bust water it is a RUSH big time. As Shannon says, CORKIN SUCKS.

Come on Eddy give this guy a visual drawing of the rigging for corkin..... Otherwise pryopal if U are up at Lockport I will show U personally.

[PYROPAL]

when the time comes i'll give a yell on the board and hope to meet some of you folks out there on the water. quite the helpfull bunch. a get together with you sounds like a great time! thanks canuck

[Ed Carlson]

There are a few variations to the "Cork'n Rig" but they are all very similar.

A large slip float knot, a bead, a long/tall peg style float 8-12" is common....then a weight large enough to keep the float upright on a drift (3/4 oz +/-)..now add a second bead just above a sturdy ball swivel.

The bulk of the variations come in leaders and conditions often dictate the length required. A common length is 30". I have ran leaders up to 5' set bellow a set-float fixed less then 8" from the weight resting on the ball swivel. A situation that may require such a long leader is a drift with a live frog over fast shallow reefs. The longer leader allows the frog to float over and higher and the strikes are explosive...lots of fun.

As Canuck stated, a lighter leader test helps to get your float back when you hung on a rock or old line. Go #5 or so under your main line strength is a good bet. If you gain confidence on the location and snags are not as much of a worry you can go with the same test as your main line. The lighter leader is wiser as chasing down floats is a lost cause most of the time. Stopping fishing and pulling into the shallows to retrieve a hung float will likely result in spooking the fish, so avoid that. Floats are terminal tackle, so stock extra. On the other hand, found floats along the shore are free…so if you’re lucky it is a trade off.

Hooks can vary too, upon preference. A 6-7 O/T Kahle is a good choice. A Gamakatsu wide gap G-Mag is one I like in 7-8 O/T. Another is the Gamakatsu wide gap straight eye octopus style circle hook in 7-8 O/T. Kinda depends on the bite to what hooks work best. You set the hook as fast as you can on Cork'n so a wider gap is often the key.

Rods are a big part of the Cork'n game. An 8' med/hvy rod gets the slack up fast and a good hook-set on the sumo. Many anglers like baitcasting rod/reels for this but a serious saltwater spinning reel can also function well. The reel has to be built to take big heavy fish or it will be stripped in a very short time. I like a good heavy ABU Muskie class baitcaster spooled with #65 Power Pro and a #30 mono leader as they cast well and set quickly. Sturdy E-Glass rods are a solid choice because they load up well and take tons of abuse.

What I really recommend is you hook up with Canuck on a guide trips for a day and learn the ropes. He is a great guy and wise to the ways of the whiskered wonders of Canada. It would be a blast and a great investment in time as well as a first class education. Canuck and the crew at “Cats on the Red” know there stuff..Eh.

[Canuck]

Thanks Eddy, U are good with words and describing things, and yes doing them to.

I would recommend U pick up your floats down south because they are ALOT more expensive up here. Eddy didn't mention corks with a light but one time I really like corkin is after sunset. There is this one flat off of the main channel that kitties move into and it is non stop action. We have a thing up here, if anybody asks anything and I mean anything about catfishing we share it. No matter what bait, gear techniques or location. The Red River is large enough to allow room for everybody and with our catch and release policy the fish will always be there.

I should say theeee only thing that is a turn off is if you are having action and somebody pulls up and anchors where you are casting, it spoils it for everybody. I would sugguest if you are not having any luck and see a boat having action and there is room pull up beside (not right beside) and cast back. So, don't be shy ask away, there is nothing that puts a smile on my face more than seeing somebody hook into a sumo for the first time and come in at the end of the day with tired arm muscles.

I really want to cut down on my guiding this year as I am supposed to be retired and enjoy the company of fellow bb members both on the water and swapping tales after.

[DARK30]

Hey Canuck, Your the best man! I really loved our trip up there last year and am really looking forward to the next one!!

I tried corkin once (even though it sucks) My rig was more like a jug attached to a fishing rod but hey, It produced a big fat Gar for me..couldn't even get the hook out of that beak either!

Remember, If you ever want to come down this looking for Flatheads..You got a place to stay! We'll send the women to the Mega Mall and head out for the night. You too Ed! Anytime!

[PYROPAL]

boy..you guys are alright! my buddies live in the grand rapids area..so it will be a bit of a drive...if we get skunked they'll probably shoot me for suggesting the trip! with all your help sounds like i might survive this trip!

[PYROPAL]

maybe i should go up and fish with you before i bring them along...sounds as if we'll all need to go shopping before we can fish for your critters. i thought my med heavy ugly stick 8-15. my med heavy berkely 10-20 and my whuppin stick was all i'ld ever need to wrestle your kitties..looks like the heavy action whuppin stick is the only one up to the task 7'2" 14-50 lb. hey canuck? does your guide service provide equipment to us undergunned little fish guys?

[Canuck]

Don't worry about my guide service as I said I am retired and just do it for a friend (Cats on the Red, Stu) and that is the guy that knows cats. I am sure your gear will work and if it does not I can always lend you some for the day. I use 25 or 30 lb line and depending on if I am corkin or straight fishing (I was going to use a term but I guess it isn't politically correct). As Eddy mentioned U need a stiffer rod for corkin and I really like the longer and more sensitative ones for the regular stuff. Alot of guys use stiff rods but that is their choice.

If U come up in May or June there should be NO problem in your boat landing 30 to 50 kitties per day and they should range from 17 to 23 lbs. In Sept when they have the feed bag on they will go from 19 to 32 lbs. There are alot of little things to watch out for which WILL make difference but give me a shout when U are headed up and I will pass on what little we know.

I usually drive to Ontario once a year for salmon and fish with my brother there and travel down Hwy #2 through the UP. It takes approx. 8 hrs to get to Duluth. I am not exactly sure where U are.