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Realistic Catfishing Destinations

Ed Carlson

By Ed Carlson
in Catfish

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

Posted
Posted

I had pleasure of meeting Jim. He noticed my E-Cat right away! Got his card and an invite. Late Feb into March would be sweet....Just gotta come up with the pinga and the time.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

Posted
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As I sit here hoping for that first mosquito bite, I'm thinking of places to hunt Catfish that are within a reasonable distance to travel.

A couple of rivers that are catching my interest are the Missouri River in western Iowa and the Rock River in NE Illinios.

I would really like to hang into a big Blue sometime, maybe a little further south?

Of course, I still need to get up to Red in Canada for some sumos too!! smile.gif

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Toad Collaborator

Toad

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Don't overlook moderate to large rivers in Kansas. The Neosho and Kansas rivers offer some incredible potential for 30 to 70 pound blues. Guide Gary VanPielt knows these waters like no one else-- and they often run limblines, jugs, trotlines and other traditional "sets." Fun to do a day of setting out a bunch of baits, then returning later to check for goodness knows what smile.gif. Of course, in winter it's more of a rod & reel game, but potential for giant blues peaks during midwinter in a lot of midsouth rivers.

The James River in Virginia, certainly the Cumberland, as Ed suggested, and the Cape Fear River, NC all hold monster blues. But for some "closer to home," often overlooked water, I still like Kansas. Maybe one of these days a bunch of us should put together a wintertime jaunt to some good cat water down south???

-a friend called Toad

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CANOPY SAM Veteran

CANOPY SAM

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Is that what Kansas catfish guides really do? Set out a series of "traps", and then return later for the meat? I guess I wouldn't feel to comfortable, or satisfied going fishing that way - but that's just me!

I would really like to go angling catfish, especially for some big blue catfish, at a "not-so-distant" location though. Kansas sounds like it'd be close enough to give us a sporting chance at some nice cats.

Is it true that the winter months are the best time to find these big blues? Do they really pound a bait during the cold water months, or are they tentative and slow?

Hey, Dark. A buddy of mine has got a cabin set up in early June up at Selkirk for the Sumo kitty's! I asked Fishhead, but he's pretty sure he's got some other commitments for that weekend.

I think there would be plenty of room for you if you'd be willing to go. You probably remember his posts. "Boar" just litterally hammered the cats last year - I've seen pictures, and they are "awe inspiring". Come with us in June. Your company would be welcome.

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Canuck Rising Star

Canuck

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Dark30 and Canopy, sure hope to get to meet U all this June. I just live 3 miles east of Lockport and on the Red at least 4 to 5 times per week chasing those kitties. Give a shout if U make it up and we may be able to wet a line or whistle together. We really don't keep any secrets on bait of choice or even where they are. From all my experience the evening or night bite has always been the best. Early June should be good fishing.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

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You guys are making me drool!! Sounds like that could work....We could have a little cat party....whos gonna sell what? I got dibs on the cheese curds! goofy.gif

I think a day or two drive could get a guy into some real good Blue water for sure. Just exploring new water would be half the fun. When I look at the atlas I get all excited and it dosn't even have any bunny ears on the cover!

Anybody know anything about the Yankton to Sioux City portion of the Missouri?

WET NETS!

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

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Well, tomorrow morning its Clarksville or bust! I'm gonna love the smell of open water on the Cumberland River and hopefully use plenty of film up while I'm smelling it!

Hopefully we won't make any wrong turns and end up in some little nest up in the hills where everybody is related.....Sqeeeel! outtahere.gif

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Flashman Collaborator

Flashman

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Dark, I believe you are responsible for giving me insomnia. The last couple of nights I've been unable to fall asleep in my bed. I keep thinking/wishing about being on the river, stars over head, the buzz of mesquitos and the sound of crickets and frogs singing away. I usually have no problem with catching a nap in the boat if the fishing is slow and I'm tired, but my boat is in storage, and the only thing that could possibly replicate the cool aluminum is the box of my truck.

I'll give it two more nights, and I'll have to setup camp out in the garage to see if that helps. Maybe they make one of those sleep tapes/cd's of mesquito's buzzing. Instead of "sounds of the ocean" I could get sounds of the MN River.

Catching cats on the Horse Shoe doesn't help matters like I thought it would either.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

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Only a 12-14 hr drive. Things couldn't have been any better! Jim Moyer is one great host and he certainly knows his stuff! My biggest was 55# and Mark's was 65#. Lots of smaller ones up to 20# . I did get one other close to 30#.

I was a little surprised at the size of the Cumberland River...wide and deep with barge traffic. The weather was mostly good with temps in the upper 40's into the 50's. Water temp was also in the upper 40's with pretty clean water compared to the Minnesota. We fished in 25-30 feet of water along the banks just off shore. Jim would find the fish holding behind drop offs and we would anchor just upstream from the "girls". The bait consisted of cut Skipjack otherwise known as Tennessee Tarpon.

The people down there are very nice...Especially in the Catfish Cafe where I almost would OD eating biscuits n gravy for breakfast!

WET NETS! smile.gif


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Timdogg Apprentice

Timdogg

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Two weeks and I'll hopefully be hooking into a few fish of that caliber in SC on Santee-Cooper. I am so pumped. Maybe I will get some nice pics to show you guys.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

Posted
Posted

Timdogg, What's the best way to fish Santee Cooper? I think I would be lost on a lake like that trying to catch Catfish!...Course that's what guides are for.

Good Luck!

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Timdogg Apprentice

Timdogg

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You're right, that's why I hired a guide. I think though that they mostly drift, dragging deadbaits. Thats what I think, not sure though. I wanna get me one of those 60 pounders they got down there. One more week, can't wait.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

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Heres another one that didn't show up well before.... Smile.jpg

Now, I need to check out the Yankton to Soiux City portion of the Missouri. Moyer says its a good stretch and Its not a bad drive either.

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DARK30 Grand Master

DARK30

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Thanks for the tip Slab! I took a peek at the atlas and the James does look inviting. Looks like it moves a lot of water out of eastern South Dakota. Another river I was told about is the Big Sioux thats come in at Sioux City Iowa.

I will be planning on the trip as soon as I can.

WET NETS! smile.gif

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