I need some help

[Bassman]

The other day someone told me about there catfishing experience and it got me all excited and now I was thinking of starting. I havent really tried for one but caught a couple my first one was 12 pounds and thirty inches. I was wondering how to rig up the line and if and do you put a weight on or what. I was also wondering any good places to go around woodbury or north st. paul. I was thinking about trying under the mississippi bridge by the boat landing. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

[AQUAJOE]

Here is a good start from Hanson's Catfishing 101.

Hanson's Flathead 101.

Chapter 1 in Hanson's Flathead 101 course is familiarizing yourself with the gear, and getting over the shock of how big the rods, sinkers, hooks, and bait are! Yes, we're using those bullheads for bait and the fish will eat them!

Chapter 2 in my course is learning the proper way to kick back in a lawn chair on the river bank, and wait. This part of the course is most difficult to master if you have always been an active fisherman.

I have a hard time with with he says in chapter 2.

Good luck!!

[Flaco651]

Flatheads, Channels, or both?

[Bassman]

Both would be nice please

[Guest]

Bassman..

I you should go back through the history in this forum and dig up all the information you can. You will come up with answers to questions you didnt even think to ask.. once you have that info, ask the direct questions you need answers to.

Most of us here are more than willing to help, but we cant really type out step by step directions and give you GPS coordinates to our favorite secret fishing holes. Asking the right questions will get you further, and its not usually all that hard to find an open boat seat to go fishing with experienced catters.. knowledge is best gained by experience.

[Gordie]

well put. knowledge is the best experience and Im new to this forum and these guys really do help you out . just ask they'll tell you.

oh yea and another thing to remember is IF YOU CAST IT CATS WILL COME.

[Bassman]

Has anyone ever fished right under the big bridge where they are doing all of the consturcion. Im pretty sure that there is a landing over there.

[Caesarfishinguytoo]

Bassman - That Man hit the nail right on the head. Me and my brother are new to fishing for flats this year and if you look at the link below you will see what he was able to catch in his rookie year and 99% of that catch was thanks to the catfish forum on Fishing Minnesota and the other 1% were my great landing skills. The people on this forum are great and full of much much knowledge, tips to success and anything else you might need to know.

Hooked on these Flatties!

[hanson]

Quote:

---

I was wondering how to rig up the line and if and do you put a weight on or what.

---

For starters, here is a picture of your basic catfishing rig.

Hook- 3/0 - 5/0 for channel cats, 8/0 - 10/0 for flathead cats. I like Gamakatsu Octopus style hooks.

Leader- 6-18" length of 80lb PP

Swivel- Just a big ole swivel

Bead- Any plastic bead will do, protects the knot from the weight

Weight- Depends on current and your bait. I'm showing a 3oz No-Roll sliding sinker. 3oz is a good weight for most conditions. Faster current, go to more weight.

Line- I really like my 80lb Power Pro!

I use Palomar Knots exclusively for this type of rigging with a braided superline.

Quote:

---

I was also wondering any good places to go around woodbury or north st. paul. I was thinking about trying under the mississippi bridge by the boat landing. Any info would be appreciated thanks.

---

Mississippi River Pool 2. Lot of good cattin' water there!

[Bassman]

Thanks for all the help I love fishing minnesota everyone here is a very helpful here thanks.

[sparcebag]

I,d sure like to know where you get those flat river weight,s I,ve some from surf casting the ocean but can,t find any in minnesota.

[Ralph Wiggum]

The only place that I've seen them in MN is Moore's Bait and Tackle in South Minneapolis. Otherwise, your best bet is to find a guy who pours his own and help/buy from him or order them from a place like Catfish Connection or Scenic Tackle (who is a FM sponsor, I believe, and he makes nice sinkers ).

[UdeLakeTom]

We have fished south of the 494 bridge, there is a public access to the river on the SSP side of the bridge. You will see lots of spots where people have set up for cat fishing. Usually we go about 1/4 to 1/2 mile down the river

to a spot that has a culvert. No this isn't a honey spot, as there are paths to it from several directions and we meet different people there all the time. The good part about it, is if you are new to the catfishing as we all once were, you can catch all kinds of different fish in the Mississippi. If the cat's are biting, something else might be. My son-in-law swears that one of his hits is still heading to Hastings and he has landed several over 50 lbrs.