"go to" Cat Methods

[Gerd]

My favorite method to catch cats is to use cut bait during the day when the channels seem to bite more then switch to larger live bait at night for the flatheads. I use as little weight as possible, usually a half ounce egg sinker is plenty, unless I'm fishing some thick log jams where I need the bait to settle immediately, then I use two half once egg sinkers. Then I use a small to medium size swivel to prevent my line from getting twisted. From there I put on a 12 to 18 inch leader and a large enough hook for my bait. My leader is usually a lighter line (8-10 lb) than my main line (12 lb XT) so that I don't lose my entire rig everytime I get snagged. On the end of the leader then tie on a sharp hook that matches your bait. (I would suggest giving circle hooks a shot). Like I said, I use 12 lb Trilene XT on a baitcasting reel. I leave it on free spool with the tension set high enough that the current does take out line. If the current is too stong, then I have to keep my eye on the rod a little closer. When a fish does bite, don't be afraid to let him run. With flatheads, you shouldn't really have to let them run too much, but channels need a little more time. Then set the hook HARD! It's the best feeling in the world setting the hook into a big cat. Nothing beats it... So that's how I catch catfish. Good luck everyone.

[This message has been edited by Gerd (edited 06-13-2002).]

[Guest]

For channels
I use a basic bottom rig.12 to 17lb main line to a swivel and a leader of lesser strength 6" to 18" long depending on current strenght and the structure I am fishing.If I am fishing wood or fast current it would be a shorter leader.Slower current and not many snags I go with a longer leader.If I am fishing snaggy rocks I sometimes use a small float or bobber near the hook.This keeps the bait out of the rocks and reduces the chances of your leadre getting hung up.I also like to go with as small of a weight that I can.The simple fact is you will get less snags.I usually go with a 1oz in moderate current and may go up to 2 for fast water.For hooks I like at least a 4/0 for cut bait or chicken liver.I use cut bait mostly because you get larger fish but chicken liver works well on the dinks.I hold my rod high and when I feel weight on the line I follow it down untill my rod is horizontal to the water then I give that cat a good whack!Don't even bother trying to set the hook untill you feel that cat move downstream.Its tough to ignore the little taps but if you set now your coming up with nothin.Oh I am getting goose bumps thinking about it.There is nothing in the world like setting the hook into a nice heavy cat!I have tried circle hooks and I think if fished properly they will improve your hook ratio but I will take a few missed fish for the feeling of setting that hook!

For Flatheads it is the same basic rig only heavier.50lb main line(I use Power Pro)thin diameter cuts the current and alows you to use less weight.Leader length is usually a bit longer(18"to 36") to let the live bait "kick"It has to be kicking or you are not going to catch anything.Weight depends on the size of bait you are using.You need enough to keep your bait where you want it and no more.Flatheads are a little bit cautious and I believe that if they feel anything strange they will drop the bait.A float on the leader may also help keep your bait kicking.The sucker or chub or what ever you are using will try to keep himself on the bottom.With a small float he will have to fight to get on the bottom.

[DARK30]

There are alot of variables when searching out Catfish, but what is your basic rig for either Channel or Flathead fishing?

For Channels, I prefer fresh cut bait on a 3/0 or smaller hook fished on the bottom. I'll throw on some liver sometimes also but the cut bait holds better and they'll find it just the same. 12 to 20lb mono works for me on a heavy to med/heavy 7ft rod. I like a good Bait Caster reel with a clicker. Put on just enough weight to keep the bait where you want it using barrel sinkers and a swivel. The leader can be 1 to 2 feet or so from the sinker. From shore, one of those "Poletender" rod holders works slick! They are available on this site for just a few well spent dollars!

Flatheads are a whole different ballgame. They prefer live bait and they eat alot of it! I like Chubs but large suckers are good. My favorite rod for Flats has 30lb Dacron line and at least a 5/0 hook. A hook and no sinker stopper works fine for me...just let um swim around. When I get a run, I like to let um go with it until I know hes very interested in my humble offering....usually quite a few yards. Pull the line tight without jerking and keep the line tight at all times. Take a picture and release the fish.

Wet nets!

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Guest]

Where do you guys go for Flatheads? Caught one by accident a long time ago but it was only 8 inches long.

[Ozzy169]

everyone has there own opinion, go with what ever works. Channels i'll run lighter gear, rod 7'10" berk lightning, line 20# power pro, hint: braided lines whistle in the current!! heavier the line the louder vibration. hooks circle gamakatsu 4/0 and 6/0 , cut bait to top it off.

flatheads I bulk up on 11 ft pole,40# berk big cat (solar) glows with black light. cool, cool. hooks include gama circle 6/0 and 8/0. bait includes live bait from suckers, creek chubs, bullheads. reels are baitclicking abu or tica. leaders vary from 3' on cut bait to 12" on live bait in the snags

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Get 'er done

[Guest]

What is the cut bait? What is it that seems to work? Cut suckers, or chicken livers perhaps?

[DARK30]

Or get some old locker room socks and cut them into strips....Works good and stays on the hook better than nylons.

WET

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cast,cast,cast,cast......

[Guest]

Cut bait is parts of bait fish.It can be small chunks of a filet(usually with the sin still attached)or just hunks or "steaked" pieces of bait.I usually cut my bait into 1"thick steaks(on large bait),2" long steaks(smaller suckers or chubs) or 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 filet picies.
Cut bait works well ans well as chicken liver but you will find that in most cases you will get larger fish using cut bait than with chicken liver.

[vern]

Cut-bait is chunked or filleted fish, normally sucker, chub or goldeye. I like to chunk up a 7"-10" sucker into 4-5 pieces. Just cut off the head, a couple of middle pieces and the tail. Or fillet a strip off the side of a bigger sucker and chunk that up. Thread a piece on your hook with the hook point exposed. You don't have to try to hide the hook. Change your bait often so you always have a good scent trail. Vern

[This message has been edited by vern (edited 06-13-2002).]

[vern]

Ooops, sorry Fishhead. Looks like we replied at about the same time. Vern

[Gerd]

For cut bait I usually just slit the belly of a sucker minnow if the bait isn't too large. That way the minnow stays alive for a little while and still sends out the scent. I also don't have to change it as often this way.

[CANOPY SAM]

I'll hook up with a 12" snell like a mega "lindy rig". 17 lb. clear blue stren for channel cats on a medium heavy bait casting rig. I use a heavier lead weight than some of the other fellas cause I want my bait to stay where I put it. 1 1/2 oz. to 2 oz. lindy sinkers keep a good size live bait in one place even in a pretty brisk current, provided the bait is directly down current from you. They'll hold a chunk of cut bait pretty steady even across some current, and as long as you've got it rigged to slip through your weight when a fish picks up - he'll never notice the weight at all. Although, it doesn't seem like channels care much about draggin' a little weight around when they've got fresh meat in their maw.
Speakin' of fresh meat - when I use fresh cut bait I'll take a nice 5 to 6 inch sucker, hook it right through the middle about halfway between the dorsal fin and the tail, and pinch it's head off right behind the gills. It makes a great sound, and it kinda feels good too..Heeheehee.. If there's some guts stringin' out behind the head "all the better"!!! I'll keep this up off the bottom a little bit with a small float just ahead of the hook. I'm pretty well convinced that that bait kinda swayin' back and forth in the current about 6 inches off the bottom really sends out a wider scent trail compared to a bait sittin' smack dab on the bottom. Just a theory - but it really works for me.
If I'm fishin' out of a boat I rig a three way swivel - same snell length - but now the rod tip keeps the bait up in the current rather than the float. This works great for channels. I never wait for the channel cats to run. I pick up the rod, and if I'm feelin' old whiskers thumpin' his tail in the other direction I stick em'. I'm pretty sure that channel catfish will swim up current behind a bait, grab it full throttle, and turn around to swim back down current about 90% of the time. There are times when they'll continue to swim up current toward you with the bait, or they'll just sit there and tap at it like a perch - but I stick most of em' right away.
Flatheads are a mystery to me as of yet. But with a little help from my friends I'm hopin' to unravel the mystery very soon. I just picked up two Rapala extra heavy long cast rods, I've got two Cabelas King Kat reels on order, and some 50 lb. power pro on the way in the same box.
Fishhead, Dark? Either one of you fellas wanna meet up on Friday or Saturday night and chase some cats? Sounds like the waters up so maybe we could fish a good creek mouth from shore.

[Guest]

Hey Sam
We missed you last night,and you missed a heck of a time!Wastewater,Grabs,Dark and I all hit the river and sat swating skeeters in the rain waiting for hours for the rod to bend.Only bent four times between the four of us but was it FUN!
Friday Dark and I will be fishing league night but I am game for saturday.
Email me at

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[email protected]

[CANOPY SAM]

Fish,
Boy, you guys really know how to party!!! Any fish in those 4 runs?
I'll try to link up with you at your site - if I don't make it you can find me back here.

[Guest]

I hooked up two for two and Grabs missed a couple and hooked up on two.Temps were in the mid 70's so I fear that if they remain the spawn will start soon.One of my "no fail" spots did not produce!I'll be out fishing the So.Metro Cat League tonite so I'll give you a jingle in the AM.