early season river cats

[Grant Pearson]

I'm going out with Sandmannd and my other half this weekend for cats on the Mississippi and am wondering if cut baits would be a place to start or what they'd be biting on right now. Any info would be appreciated. I'm not really looking for too much size, although I have caught cats up to 30 pounds in the area that we'll be going, but I'm looking to catch more numbers so my other half doesn't get too bored. What would be a good place to start for bait(s) to use? As of right now, the plan is to use cut suckers, but are there any better ideas to try right now?

[AceintheHole]

cut shad and suckers should be just the right bait. Look for creeks coming into the river thats a good place to start.

[Grant Pearson]

awsesome. Thanks

[Sandmannd]

We are also going off shore, boat isn't ready yet. Hope to have it out Sunday maybe.

[Shack]

Good luck guys.

I might get down this weekend from shore. Its up in the air though.

I will let you know shane if I head down and see where you guys will be at.

[DTro]

Don't be too disappointed if you don't find any numbers. Tyler/Crew has really been putting the elbow to all into our ribs.

IMO the water is still too cold to be using standard tactics and expecting normal results. If you can find an active school of cats, then you will get some bites.

The fish you're seeing so far are a testament and dedication of putting in a lot of time. It's obvious just seeing some of these pics that there is some work going into it.

Hats off to the Rochester crew

Ed and I explored some "extra" special backwaters yesterday and ran into a large school of cats, but very few biters, even with upper 40 to 50 degree temps.

If your looking for numbers, my best advice would be to give it a couple of weeks.

[Sandmannd]

Don't care a ton about number, would be fun, but more want to get the long rods out and get some lines wet.

[AceintheHole]

I did pretty good last night end up with 4 channels all between 16-18". I had a soild bite from 9 to 11. Alot of nibblers.

[Sandmannd]

Chris, would you shoot me an email please? Email is in my profile.

[AceintheHole]

You bet still got you in my fav 5

[walleyeslayer18]

hey ace, were you fishing on the minnesota in jordan again? my buddy and i might hit it up tomorrow!

[AceintheHole]

No I have been fishing down at BlackDog the past couple of trip. I will be heading down there sat. night around 6pm

[walleyeslayer18]

saturday its my b-day so i dont think ill be going to the river lol! But ill try my luck friday. Where can i get suckers because if i cant find them i might have to use crawlers or catch some small bullheads. I dont think the bull heads will do so hot with the channels so idk.

[AceintheHole]

Gander has them

[walleyeslayer18]

yea but i dont want to go to gander from new prague and then back to the river you know what i mean. thats like 30 miles out of the way.

[AceintheHole]

Made it out last night ended up with a dozen channels cats between 14-18 using cut suckers.

[walleyeslayer18]

I dont know where ur going but i went today and didnt get anything. maybe ill have to go with you sometime.

[AceintheHole]

Anytime, I might make it out midweek and forsure this weekend.

[walleyeslayer18]

alrighty ill let you know when im able to go and we will try to plan something!

[AceintheHole]

sounds like a plan.