HELP NEW CATFISHERMAN

[pbowhunter]

a buddy and i were fishing a river by my house. We were 100 yard up from the dam in about 24 feet fo water. 30 minutes later the vex filled up im talking solid red up to 13 feet. My buddy is jigging away with a jig and a crappie minnow he then stops his rod starts bending over so he sets the hook. The fish slowly heads down to the bottom. He cant get the fish to budge a couple minutes later the fish comes up a little then goes back down and breaks the line. Im thing these were catfish? if so any better presentations you guys would recommend so we can hook into hopefully many more of these fish?

[catfish1]

First of all get heavier line and make sure you have a big hole. And use cut bait or large chub. I'm told you can jug to but use a jug big enough to hold a big fish. Remember catfish can out fight and fight longer than other fish. And if you get another big one on take your time landing it. Wish you luck and good fishing

Catfish1

Keep setting that hook

[Wiskers]

The biggest thing to remember is to have line that will hold the fish you are fishing for. I use all tough-line braided. It is smaller in diamiter but strong as all get out.. You can get them in with small rod but just take your time unless it was a flathead.. then you might need a bigger rod.

Make sure you have a heavy hook also or it will straighten them out.

Good fishing and keep us posted if you land one.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442

[Dennis Steele]

That sure sounds like you found some cats!
Its not neccessary to use big baits.There metabolism is low during the cold months and they will readily take a smaller affering.I typically start with a 3/4" by 3/4" piece of bait,shiner, sucker, whatever.
SOmetimes a lively fathead or even a small crappie minnow will turn them into biters.Even a few waxies works.On days when nothing else seemed to work I have used Bio Bait.The crawler flavor is good but my favorite wold be the crayfish flavor.You cna check it out here.
http://catchn.com/
If they are acting finicky go small if they seem aggressive go a little larger.
I would venture to bet most days only a few fish will actively feed.YOu will get a lot of lookers but few takers.BUt its good when you see your screen full of them.Thats usually when you have the best luck.

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Minnesota River Guided Fishing
www.mnriverguidedfishing.com
[email protected]
NPAA #863

[korn_fish]

pbow - I read your post on the iceleaders board. If you don't mind me asking, what size river were you on and is it a MN river?

Another thing, is what type of line did you have on and was it good line?

I know I have to replace my ice line about 2 times a year if its some kind of mono.

Look at going with a little bit longer rod, maybe 30"+ with some sort of super line. That is assuming that the water is dingy. But since this is winter, use about the same sort of bait and hook set up. They will be less likely to hit a lively chub then small bait and cut bait. Experiment with the size of the cutbait that you use.

I believe Dennis Steele has done a lot of experimenting with different baits for hard water cats, so email him and get some better advice then I could ever give you.

[pbowhunter]

I am fishing the Apple River in Wisconsin. I was using a fairly stiff rod that i use for northerns. But it only had six LB test. Has anyone ever tried using tip ups for catfish? With a sinker 20 inches above a cutbait and bare hook. Also ive heard that catfish in the winter love to hit a yellow mistertwister? THis seems to be the only fairly deep spot for miles on the river do you think they will stay there for most of the winter. the water is 35 foot infront of the dam then gets up to 15 feet a quarter mile up?

[korn_fish]

pbow - they will be stacked in there until spring run-off from snow melts or rain starts to warm the waters. Look for them to be there pretty much until ice out.

[Wiskers]

Yeppers that is right, if you have them there now they will be there most of the winter. Even in the summer they will hang in there for shelter but move out to the flats to feed but many will still feed in the deep hole if the food is there. Try to see if you can find any slack water in that area or a sand hump. They will feed in those areas more often.

Below any dam like that the cats will stay and feed due to bait being rushed over the dam and they are stunned and easy food. Bait fish will also be there for them due to high Oxygen levels and food for the minnows. Sounds like fun.

------------------
Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota River,for Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]

218-280-0442