GOTTA LOVE IT!

[DARK30]

WHAT DID THAT SCALE READ AGAIN FISH? 30 SOMETHING? THANKS AGAIN FOR GRABING UM FOR ME! I'M GETTING MORE CHUBS TOMORROW.
WET NETS!

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[vern]

Hey Dark30! What are you up to now, about 20 or 30 flats the last couple of weeks? What's your secret? You're on fire right now. I've got to get out there. Vern

[Guest]

Its someone elses turn to land these fish for him.I am tired and worn out.The reason he's catching all these fish and not me is because I'm too busy taking the hooks out and taking pictures!

I believe the scale read 34lbs and she was 42"Not to mention the 2 other smaller ones.I bet he could get one on dry land.

I can only seem to get a few when I am not fishing with him.The tide will turn!(I pray)

[Guest]

All a guy can do is keep your bait kicking and in the water.I believe that there are sweet spots,that is the spot that the fish most likely will be looking for food.I have looked at the spot ,where Dark was catching and I was fishing ,with my depth finder before.There is an underwater rip rap ledge and a slightly deeper hole right in front of where a little creek comes out.I believe Dark was in that hole.I think that the fish feeding on small minnows and algae from the creek are stageing in this hole.And this is where the cats are feeding.My bait was not twenty feet from where this spot is(Dark was right in it).Dark got twice or better than twice the runs I got.
At the other spot we were fishing at last week I noticed that Darks bait was sitting in the center of an eddy just upstream of where a rocky shoreline starts.Another spot for catfood to hold?
Well I am just justifying my lack of a catch and Darks success,but I do belive this is some thing to consider when tossing your bait out there.When I fish in a boat and can read an entire area,I always look for a spot where the fish can either hold just slightly out of the current to ambush prey or where bait fish might hold.Then that is where I will place my bait.

[DARK30]

ALL I KNOW IS, A LIVELY CHUB OR SUCKER ON A LOOSE LINE WILL PRODUCE BUT GETTING A CAT HOOKED UP IS HALF THE BATTLE. THE AREA LAST NIGHT CLEARLY HAS STRUCTURE AND SNAGS BUT I'VE CAUGHT THEM IN SHALLOWER RUNS WITH NO LARGE HOLES AROUND TOO. SOMETIMES THE CLICKER GOES OFF AND THEY JUST LET GO...DO THEY FEEL THE TENSION? THATS WHY I (THINK) WHEN THERES ACTION YOU NEED TO TURN OFF THE CLICKER AND POINT AT THE FISH ON FREESPOOL SO THEY MAY NOT GET SCARED. I'VE ONLY BEEN HOOKING MAYBE HALF OR LESS OF THE FISH THAT RUN AND THE ONE LAST NIGHT COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN FISHHEADS. (I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOT THE ONE THAT RAN ON MY ROD WITH FISHHEADS BULLHEAD ON IT CAUSE I WAS OUTTA BAIT!) SPEAKING OF BAIT I GOTTA GO CHECK THE TRAPS. DON'T KNOW YET IF I'LL GET OUT TONIGHT..BETTER READ THE RIVER HERE AT HOME FIRST!
THAT SCOTT CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT CAT CONTEST FOR KIDS IS A GREAT PROGRAM...MY NEIGHBOR IS ONE OF THE COPS WHO PUT IT ON AND THOSE KIDS LOVE IT!
WET NETS!

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[DARK30]

WELL TONIGHT WAS A REMINDER THAT SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET SKUNKED ON THE MINNESOTA RIVER IN SEPTEMBER! I HAD ONE SMALL RUN..NOT INTERESTED. IT DIDN'T HELP ME TO SEE NO MINNOW ON THE HOOK WHEN I PULLED IN TO LEAVE THOUGH...I WONDER HOW LONG I WAS HUNTING WITH NO BULLETS!
WET NETS!

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[This message has been edited by DARK30 (edited 09-05-2001).]

[Guest]

I hear ya FishHead.... leave some in the river for us! I've been out 3 times in the last week with no luck. Couple bites here and ther... but nothing. I wanna catch a cat!

Anybody watch KARE 11 Sunday night? They had a segment about the Scott county cops taking kids out catfishing. One kid caught himself a nice flat... I'm guessing low/mid 20's!

[Toad]

Hey DARK and fishhead,

How's the water level down your way? You guys usually hit the Belle Plain stretch, right?

I'll be on the Minnesota, probably upstream from New Ulm in about a week with GullGuide. Just trying to figure out how much we'll be draggin the boat through shallow riffles. I've heard the river is super low, which, to me is a good thing. Concentrates more cats in easier to define areas. Thanks for your help-- you guys have been offering some super good info.

-a friend called Toad

[DARK30]

HI TOAD, I HAVEN'T SEEN FOR MYSELF THE STRETCH FROM NEW ULM UP BUT FROM BELLE PLAINE UP DON'T TRY A MOTOR! AROUND CHASKA AND SHAKOPEE IS EVEN A BIT HAIRY. FISHHEAD HAS THE RIGHT SET UP FOR BOATING THE RIVER RIGHT NOW (THAT JET WATER THING WORKS GOOD)

I WOULD SAY TRY SOME BANK FISHING AND EVEN WADERS CAN BE VERY GOOD DEPENDING ON THE SPOT. I'VE BEEN WANTING TO CHECK OUT THE HEADWATERS AREA AGAIN BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN UP PAST NEW ULM FOR YEARS.

IF YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO HOOK UP THAT WOULD BE FUN AND IF YOU NEED CHUBS LET ME KNOW.
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

Right now guys in my stretch are still getting around with props.They are running slow and in shallow water drive(the smart ones) but it is still manageable in most places.I have only fished upsteam to LeSuer so I don't really know how you will fare where you are going.Best bring those old sneakers!

I did have a guy try to follow me over a shallow shoal last week.His motor popped up and whinned something fierce.I felt bad for the guy but it was kind of funny.I have tried to wave people off but sometimes they just think I am showing them the way and follow anyway.

DARK
Leave some fish in that river for me.When I get back I don't want them all to have sore mouths!

[This message has been edited by fishhead (edited 09-06-2001).]

[DARK30]

WE THREW SOME CHUBS IN THE RIVER NEAR BLAKELY TONIGHT. MONSTERCAT GOT A 22lb AND I GOT NADA BUT WE ONLY FISHED ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF. NICE NIGHT THOUGH AND THE COYOTES WERE YIPPIN AFTER DARK TOO. I WISH I COULD HAVE STAYED BUT I HAD TO GET THE KIDS BACK HOME.
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

AH HA! got some of your own medicine

[DARK30]

THANKS FOR GRABBIN THIS ONE TOO FISH! I GOTTA DEVELOPE ALL THESE PICS. TOO BAD HE SH#T ALL OVER YOUR BOAT...THAT STUFF STINKS SOMETHIN FIERCE...I CAN STILL SMELL UM!
42lbs AND 42" WAS IT? SORRY MAN I KNOW YOUR GONNA MAKE ME WALK BACK ONE OF THESE TIMES. NOTHIN LIKE "SMOKE ON THE WATER" EH?... THAT WAS PRETTY WILD COMIN BACK IN THAT FOG!
WET NETS!

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[Guest]

Walk back!!??You almost ended up swimming back!At least you let me catch one(1/10th the size)
I've read articles till my eyes are dry.I've fished many late nights till I can't stay awake at work.I have tried to learn everything I can about catching flats.Along comes DARK 30, every where he cast is a big cat.Oh well it was a beautifull night and good company and that is what fishing is really about.And there is one thing I can have pride in.I have got to be the best at landing fish.The good Lord knows that I have had the practice!