Newbie needs help

[Scott M]

I'm SOOOO Pumped to go out on my birthday this Saturday for cats. Here's the scoop: I live near a lake where adult channel cats are stocked. Last year when I went with the DNR for 2 days of fish sampling, we pulled up the trotlines in like 7-8 feet of water and like half the sets had fish, between 8-20 pounds. They were all taken around the middle of August, but granted it was a lot hotter than it has been lately and is expected to be cold through the end of this week. We baited the trotlines with Carp strips we had left over from the gillnets.

So here's my plan: Go out at like 10:30, stay out till 4:00 a.m. Have a little fire by shore and throw a couple 4/0 hooks with 1 oz. egg sinkers and baited with carp strips into the same spot we got them on the trotline sets. I'm set up with a 7 foot medium heavy action musky rod and 50 pound power pro line. I will have a bell on the end of the rods with the bails open.

My question is, will this work? Is my terminal stuff good, what suggestions would you make. This is my first time EVER fishing cats, would it be better to just use my usual lighter walleye rods instead? Should I use some scent attractant? Is my line to heavy (it's 12 lb diameter)? Is carp a bad choice? I'm counting on collecting some carp from a nearby ditch they seem to (over)populate.

My biggest question is about technique. What happens? Do they pick up the bait and run? If they do, when do you stick it to them? On the run, when they stop?

I GREATLY appreciate any help you can get, or last minute suggestions you can make. I sure hope the weather cooperates and that the fish will be shallow. I suppose its hard to figure where a cat will be from time to time. If I don't have any luck, well, at least I tried and had a few beers around a fire with friends.

[catfish1]

da_chise31.. I hope you enjoy your B-day fishing , But if I were you and the dnr folks you went with last year. I would not tell anyone you used carp strip for bait in minnesota because it is not legal to use and not even a dnr can use it. later

Catfish1

[tulikow]

I noticed from your profile that you are from Brownton. So I think I know what lake you are talking about. Your rod and reel setup should be okay. Try substituting suckers for carp. I have heard that chicken livers suspended below a bobber work quite well on this lake.
Good Luck

[Scott M]

About the carp strips-I know using 'game fish' for cut bait or any sort of bait is illegal, but I'm pretty sure its not illegal to use rough fish. I could be wrong, but if so post a link to the pdf file of the DNR regulations that explicitly says so.

No problem with the bobbers and suckers, thanks for the tips with terminal. What about technique-Hit them on the run or wait for them to stop first?????

[catfish1]

da_chise31; Bring you said you did this last year I looked in the 2003 Minnesota fishing Regulation hand book and on page 13 and under General regulations, And sub title Angling methods. It says ( Using whole or parts of game fish, goldfish, or carp for bait is unlawful. ) I personnel wish we could use carp as bait. I have used it when I lived in Iowa years ago and did very will with it. later.

catfish156123

[Ed Carlson]

In a lake or reservoir dip baits often shine, as the dip sets a solid scent trail that pulls fish in from a long distance.

Maybe try a dip bait on one set and a fresh cut sucker slab on the other, or maybe even a hearing, or a smelt on the other.

If your working a creek mouth area on the lake don't forget the frog option. You may find they are the top dish for lake cats in early fall.

You can pre-bait the area you wish to fish too, draw them in. Try sour soybeans as a chum, really sour beans...like make you hurl type sour. Make them into soy-balls and fling a few out in a circular area around the spot you wish to set up at. Do this 24 hours ahead of time if you can, or even on the same day or night if that is the only option you have.

You should be able to find sour soybeans at nearly any grain terminal, for free. Scoop up a 5 gal pail, seal it up...tightly, and go do some Hurl'n.

Good hunt'n!

------------------
Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[abens1078]

I say hit'em on the run. If your reels have 'clickers' on them that can be helpful otherwise we put the reel on freespool set the tension up and put a piece of styrofoam at the end of the rod. White foam shows up well with the light of a lantern or flash light. The PowerPro should give you some sensitivity if the fish wants to sit there and chew on the bait. Usually anything over 5# will take off on a decent run though (has been my experience). I also second the frog choice for bait or live chubs. Good luck

[Mr Special]

If you're using Circle hooks, just have very sturdy rod holders and keep the bail closed. They will hit it hard mostly and hook themselves. I personal think the hook set is one of the greatest moments of the fight, so I like Eagle Claw widegap hooks, or Khale style hooks.

Good luck and bring a camera

[Scott M]

Thanks all, catfish1, you're right, its on page 15. I think I'm gonna go with some chicken livers and maybe coat them in some dip. I appreciate all the help and we'll see how it goes. I'll try to hit them on the run. I've got some regular and tru-turn hooks so maybe the tru turns will work better when they are on the run. Thanks!!!!

[metro 1]

You have to watch the baiting of fish.I know a dnr biologist and I was telling him about using an onion bag with dog food in it to lay down a sent trail. He told me that was illegal to do.I called and checked You can use it for bait with a hook in it, but no chumming with it. I would think it's the same for other bait/chum. Metro

Ed I see your in North Dakota so I don't know the rules there.I have lived in MN all my life and you know I have never been to your great state..yet.

Another alarm idea we use with reels with out clickers is to crush a alum.can slightly in the center and make one or two wraps around it when you get a strike you'll know it..

[This message has been edited by metro 1 (edited 08-12-2004).]

[Ed Carlson]

Grain is ok, fish parts is not.

------------------
Backwater Guiding
"ED on the RED"
701-893-9107

[email protected]

[EBass]

OK now that that's settled can anyone tell me what the kitties are doing in rivers now? Here in the cities and I would imagine all over the water is low. I've fished some deeper holes with shrimp, cut sucker, and crawler and not a single bite. So should I try some swifter shallower water?

It's weird when I fish for smallies, (1/8 oz jig n grub) I can catch kitties, but when I try for them - nope! It's been a poor year for da kitties for me.

[abens1078]

are you guys feeling this cold front too? we were in the low 50s last night and this almost southern Iowa. EBass on the DesMoines we usually try the shallow stuff at night with some frogs this time of year but I haven't been too successful either lately. I'm going to Clear Lake IA this evening for a family reunion and I'm hoping to sneak in a few hours on Friday and Saturday night. I think I better bring a coat. Good luck on the whiskers

[Scott M]

No luck. Fished about 5 hours, no bites, nothing. 55 degrees. It was fun though, and at least I tried. I'm pretty tired today, but there is always next time. Anticipation heightens the pleasure

Good luck to anyone else fishin kitties.

[Rainman]

Da_chise, I believe I know what lake you ar talking about to! We used to use frogs and smelt on lake X close to you and did quite well! Also used to catch them on our crank baits fishing for eyes!

[katchaser]

I figure the air temperature is not as important as the water temperature.

If goldeye or shad are legal for bait I would recomend them over suckers. They are oilier and will give off more scent.

Your rig and terminal tackle also seem a bit big for channel cats also.

I feel like a little more fishing in this lake will produce fish for you. If fish bit all the time there would soon be none left to catch.