Peoples Catfish Outings!

[walleyeslayer18]

Ill start out with myself for this one, I went out to the minnesota river in jordan from shore tonight after work and i didnt get a single bite...maybe im doing something wrong or there not biting.I was trying some cut up suckers but no success. I ended up getting into a snag right before i was about to leave and snapped my line... hopefully ill have more success my next outing!

[hanson]

I really don't plan to target catfish for another 3-4 weeks, depending on mother nature... Water temps are just too cool right now for them to be slamming. If you can find the warmer water, you'll be onto something but most random river spots just won't be productive for cats right now.

[walleyeslayer18]

Thanks for the tip! yea i dont have a boat so im trying to make the shore my friend and find some spots. Where do you find no-roll sinkers, i couldnt find them anywhere. Im sure there at cabelas though huh?!

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: walleyeslayer18

Where do you find no-roll sinkers, i couldnt find them anywhere. Im sure there at cabelas though huh?!

Nope. Cabelas doesn't have them, Gander Mt doesn't either.

In fact... there are only a handful of places that do have them that I am aware of. Closest location to you would be Moore's Bait & Tackle in south Minneapolis.

They are also available online through the Outdoor Pro Store.

Click Here:

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/catfish-sturgeon-tackle.html

[walleyeslayer18]

thanks i appreciate it!

[hanso612]

When you use no rolls make sure the sinker is deburred. I've had them ruff up mono on the swivel side. I recomend a bead so they don't rough up your knot on the swivel, especially if you don't retie often.

I like pyramid sinkers even better for holding on sandy flats in current, but they do snag more easily in timber. I'd always have both.

When you start out catfishing you find out quicky that there are tons of things out there that like your bait other than cats. This is very true when fishing cut bait or liver. Many times your rod will be dancing but everytime you set the hook you come up empty. Schools of small bait fish can pick liver clean in minutes. Turtles and Gar can rob your bait and are hard to hook.

I just upgrade to big live bait, forget about the dinkers, go back to the card game, and weight for the clicker to scream. Hans

[HuskerBen]

Good point about deburring the sinker. It's something that I just didn't think of until I lost a fish last year, and the line was frayed like crazy. I have been smoothing out the sinkers ever since, and often using a bead.

I've been getting into a few channel cats here and there on the Miss, but it has been far from hot. Last year, this time, they were slammin'. But it's been colder this year, so the cats aren't fired up just yet. Still no reason to stay home, though. They are out there, and they are eating, but they're a little tougher to find.

[icehousebob]

I like to use bank sinkers, since I have the mold and quantities of lead to make them. I rig them by putting a small split ring or swivel sliding on the line above the swivel that is tied between the line and the leader. Then I tie my sinker to the slider with line that is lighter than the main line. If the sinker snags, I can tear it loose and not lose the entire rig, just the sinker. I watched a guy in a Carp contest with a big fish that he could fight up to the snagged sinker and and get no closer to shore. He finally had to break it off. I won and he didn't.

[ec30_06]

The pyramid sinkers work well from shore since they sink very fast and hold very well. They do snag easy, but from shore you need every advantage when the current is strong. Most places have them too.

[Shack]

Here is my line up for the early spring time cat fish!

It is simple, but (I like to think) effective. I like the swivel snap for the weight. When things get tough, it will give before the 80lb PP will.

Now, if will catch a "big" fish we will see.

The snell is a little long, but for spring time it should be good. I think?????????

[ec30_06]

Keep them leaders short in the spring. The fast current will make a mess of a long leader. Early spring cats don't want to chase a meal down either.

[AceintheHole]

Hit jodan for a while tuesday picked up a few small channels between 14-17" nothing worth entering in the KOTC08. Better day are coming soon. Even better when I get my boat in may.

[walleyeslayer18]

Did you go from shore and where did you go because i was there wednesday and didnt catch anything...?!

[ec30_06]

Channels are slowly starting to move. Things will pick up soon. Catfishing takes a lot of time and patience to figure out, and there is no substitute for time on the water. You will have to pay your dues like everyone else to figure those critters out.

[AceintheHole]

I was on shore down toward the sandbar using cut suckers

[dps]

I've been out semi-regularly since early march with good success in most areas for channel cats. There has been a couple slow days mixed in. I havent put in nearly the time this year yet as usual, the fish are out there to be caught. The bites have been getting more significant lately which is a nice change from the early season " peck - peck - peck ".

My efforts have been on the Mississippi River, mostly pool 2, some pool 1. I never see much for cat action on the MN river too early. Its hard to hit the MN and hope for 2 fish when its pretty easy to get into 20 on the Miss early season.

[dsm95]

 Originally Posted By: walleyeslayer18

Where do you find no-roll sinkers, i couldnt find them anywhere. Im sure there at cabelas though huh?!

The Bobber shop in Mankato has them up to 3 oz. also.

[Wiskers]

Scenic Tackle out of Bemidji makes no-rolls by the buckets.

[harvey lee]

You can find no-rolls right here on Fishing Minnesota. They are be shipped daily. High quality weights at a fair price.

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/catfish-sturgeon-tackle.html

[AceintheHole]

HSOList. I picked up 25 2oz. for 28cents apiece. Now I have to get some 3,4 and a few 5 oz. I might have to get a mold and make my own then I can sit down by the river and sell them.