What's working for cats now.

[Rick]

Okay,

tell us what is working for you right here.

[hanson]

What's working now for cats? Hmmm...

I would have to say getting out. Pretty obvious but if you aren't putting your time on the water, you won't be catching fish.

There seams to be a few factors right now that are impacting the Flathead cat bite.

-Spawn I'm not sure if the spawn is over with yet. I've been seeing a flathead here and a flathead there all scarred up for over a month now. Got a little one last night that had some wounds too.

-Low water levels The rivers are definitely down, both the Minnesota and the Mississippi pools. I'm definitely getting into uncharted territory for me with the rivers down like this.

- Full Moon The full moon was last night, July 10. Rumor is always flying wildly about flatheads shutting down around the full moon. I was able to get out last night, and got 1 flathead slightly after 1am. Action was really slow however with only a couple other decent runs. We did have a cloudy sky however to hide that moon for most of the night.

I'll have to get a photo up later but the 12 pounder from last night came from an eddy working near a deep hole. The flattie took a live bullhead, as usual, on an awesome screaming run. We definitely live for runs like that one.

My 1st Full Moon Flathead Cat

[Random guy]

-Spawn I'm not sure if the spawn is over with yet.

So they are in the mood for love, time to fish em where the love is going on, snags, cut banks, root wads etc. All of the fish can't spawn all of the time, plus sometime ya just gotta stop for a snack and keep the energy up?

-Low water levels - Great, narrow the odds down on where the fish in any one section of river may be. To me when the river is high lots of places for the fish to hang out, when it it down it narrows down the the spots and concentrates the fish.

- Full Moon The full moon was last night, July 10. Rumor is always flying wildly about flatheads shutting down around the full moon. Watch the moon tables and hit it when the moon hasn't risen or has set taking the light factor away. Ever notice fish of all species are caught after a full moon has set or before it has risen?

I think many anglers get caught up in the notion that the fish are not biting at all. I think it is just a matter of the rules changing a little and a angler having to adapt to them.

[rushing]

Spawn

Fish can be caught. Like Jon said not every fish spawns at the exact same time. But with less fish on the prowl fishin can be alittle to alot slower.

Water Levels

I am kinda mixed on low water levels. In theory it seems like it would concentrate the fish but with less current they can actually spread out more. With high water they seem to be more concentrated near shore to avoid the raging currents. I still like the lower water levels due to having more options for a shore fishermen.

Full Moon

If I never heard of the ill effects of a full moon I would never have noticed much of a difference. There does seem to be better spots to set up during a full moon and you can be successful. Confidence plays a big part in catching fish!

As Hanson said, Its just a matter of getting out and putting your time in!

[Dan Thiem]

Great topic Rick!

Thanks to all who replies. I really enjoy reading your tips and techniques!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Dan, maybe you should give some tips! You seem to have the knack

[Dan Thiem]

Shoulda seen that comin. Good one!

I'm still as green as it gets in this arena. But with FM and some other friends, I'm learning. I need to get some river bank time with more of you guys to pick up on some experience.

[Guest]

Time on the water and some luck is what you need right now for consistant fishing..

Its been tough out there for most everyone, but a couple fish are coming in here and there for those willing to put in the time.

All of the fish I have caught, and seen caught lately were relating closely to a deep hole. Current has been less of an issue as it was a couple weeks ago as some of the fish are coming from slack water.

Rocky areas seems to be productive, and a sand/muck transition area on a feeding *shelf* near a deep hole has been productive. If you can find a substancial current seam anywhere to concentrate bait, its still worth dropping a line.

There is hardly any flow coming over the dams now.. time for someone to do a rain dance.. but dont get too carried away?

[mplspug]

-Spawn I am thinking post spawn now which means the females need time to recover.

-Low water Low water also effects flow and oxygen levels. I think they may go into a bit of a dormant state. Yes they are feeding, but not as much or as aggressively.

- Full Moon Jury seems to be out on this one, but some southern boys swear by it. I think it has more to do with making the flatheads feed throughout the day more. They don't quite have the advantage. Even on a cloudy night, they may be reacting to the cycle that has been inbred into them.

-3 Strikes Alone some of these factors are minor, but you put them together and it means the fishing is just a little more challenging.

That's about as unscientific and inexperienced of an answer you will find. I am still learning alot about the beasts.

[Wiskers]

Bait bait bait.. bring an assortment of bait with you and that is the ticket. fish are almost always feeding. By having an assortment of bait you can change up that presentaion and spark that fish that was not interested just a few moments ago. Or even a diffrent kind of fish. When ever I go out I always try to have at least 3-4 kinds of bait. that way if the cats are not on, I can got for Eyes or pike or bait fish. A fish is a fish and as long as somting is tugging on my line I am having fun.

Crawlers- Cats, Eyes, Pike, bait fish.

Leaches - Cats Eyes, Pike, bait fish.

Cut bait - Cats, Eyes, Pike,

Frogs - Cats, Eyes, Pike,

Wiskerbits - Cats, Eyes, Pike, turtles LOL...

Any new bait ideas out there that any one has tried and been happy with?

[Willy]

I think you guys are right about the spawn, although I did have one of our better nights as far as action goes this past weekend fishing a cut bank. However, the next night was terribly slow.

The low water level does seem to slow the bite some. Last year when the water dropped big time, we had a tough time getting bigger fish and fish all together. Some guys want that river as low as it can go though.

The full moon, I don't know what to say about that. It does seem to slow down the fishing, but last year I caught my best cat on a full moon night with it bright and shining.

I think the biggest thing like everyone said is to get out there and soak some bait. Can't catch em if you ain't after em right?

[DARK30]

Rick, our outing last Saturday was good...not great but I'm glad we got a few. We'll do it again!

I think between spawn and hot water temps things are a little slow. fish can still be had if you spend the time. I myself am not able to spend as much time as I would like (but).. every time I think of first ice, I try hard to come up with a few hours!!! Good location, good equipment, and good bait are very important considerations once you come up with the time!!

Last nights outing we got two and missed one. all three fish hit very aggressively and two were in a deeper slack water pool.....

[mplspug]

Slackwater? Doh! There goes my idea you need current!

[Sturg]

I went out Saturday, Monday, and lastnight.I caught flatheads each night. Channel cats have been scarce. Biggest flat was 29 lbs./ 41 inches (Mon night), several fish around 10 lbs and a couple in the mid teens. I'm fishing the Mississippi along a shelf. The deep has been 18-24ft and the shallow side 8-10. The bigger fish have come from the deep side. Lots of minnows in the water. I'm using large sucker minnows.

[Dan Thiem]

Great stuff Kevin! I enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[mplspug]

I am starting to wonder if suckers might be producing better this time of year for whatever reason. The last fish I saw caught was on a sucker and many of the recent catches I have seen posted have been on suckers.

[rushing]

Suckers might be the ticket but good luck keeping them alive for long in this weather. Hot Hot Hot

[mplspug]

Quote:

---

Suckers might be the ticket but good luck keeping them alive for long in this weather. Hot Hot Hot

---

I know That's exactly what I was thinking.

[Guest]

water temps of 80 and suckers don't mix... if you depend on using suckers right now you better have a heck of a good bait tank.. and expect any sucker to hit the cutbait pile within 15 minutes, most within 5 minutes of putting them on the hook.

I know its summer, but does it really need to be this hot?

[koonie]

I personally haven't been out, but we've been selling blood bait like it's going out of style.

[hanson]

What's working now?

Getting out and fishing. Thats about all I can say. We threw everything we had at them this weekend and picked up this little guy about 11:45pm last night near Minneapolis on the mighty Miss. It munched a bullhead, of course.

[harvey lee]

I had very good LUCK on Saturday night.Fished a spot with some deeper and shallow water and picked up 5 all in the deeper water in this area.All on smaller bullies at approx 11 pm.The bait was placed in the fastest moving water in the spot I was fishing.

[Mrkeb]

Had good luck last night fishing an area that water was being funneled between some snags right next to a deep swirling eddie. Fished the seam between the two and ended up with my biggest Flat yet. Managed a 30lber! What a blast. I just wish i would have had some one to take my picture with it, instead i got the rod/reel with fish shot. Oh well.

[almostthere!]

How about a photo buddy? I can tag along and take pictures.

[MachineHead]

Quote:

---

What's working for cats now.

---

Determination.

Anyone willing to go out and pay the price will, maybe, catch a fish.

That has been the status quo for ages.

Some work harder. A lot harder. And they catch fish. This should be a given, if you ask me....