Channel Catfish Photo Gallery

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I thought this one was going to leave my finger bruised...

And this 27" Channel cat made me do the dance so bad that he ended up looking like this...

[pureinsanity]

really? i never noticed, the channel catfish usually range from 3 to 8. and it seems the bullhead have a much stronger bite... but thats just me

[PoorWordUsage] flat head but gray. Definitely had some biting power. However those bullheads do chomp hard but nothing i have ever been bitten by compared to this fish...

[pureinsanity]

as for those grippers, I usually just fish for flats, However, I threw on some channel bait and caught that one. Ill just gill them next time if they are bigger

[JimBuck]

There's definitely an art to properly holding those channels. I still haven't found a proper hold personally, as the gill area doesn't provide much to hold onto. The grippers Steve uses seem to be the ticket.

[Lowblazah]

really? i never noticed, i always found bullheads have much stronger bite than channels.

You must be catching some weak or sickly channels then. a heathly Channel's bite can feel like a vise on your hand (if you are so inclined to stick your hand in their mouth)

[DTro]

There’s a hard bony area, just inside the gill flap that you can get a couple of fingers in. A jaw hold if you will.

However, it is still possible for them to clench down and still mash your fingers.

Grippers for Channels are a very good idea.

[uppdacreek]

Quote:

Grippers for Channels are a very good idea.

Yes they are. I should have taken the ones CF was trying to hand me the other night when I had a nice channel in the boat. Instead I said "I got it man, it's not like they have teeth or something." Next thing you know, Mr. chan locks down and I start letting the f-bombs fly like fireworks on the 4th of July. I have some awesome channel rash now.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Kyle B showed me a spot to hold them once in the corners of their mouth where they cannot chomp down on you but I wasn't about to try that after i had that last one had me doing the dance.

[pureinsanity]

Yes they are. I should have taken the ones CF was trying to hand me the other night when I had a nice channel in the boat. Instead I said "I got it man, it's not like they have teeth or something." Next thing you know, Mr. chan locks down and I start letting the f-bombs fly like fireworks on the 4th of July. I have some awesome channel rash now.

Mine is almost gone finally. It definitely stung for a little bit...

[pureinsanity]

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[aanderud]

Holy pool cues, batman. They must have been hoping for something a bit bigger.

I love how he got both hands. That's classic definition of insanity. Repeat the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome.

[vern]

For smaller channels I've always grabbed them from the bottom. I put my thumb behind one pectoral & my forefinger & middle finger around the other. If they're too big to hold that way (10+?) then they can be gilled. The monster, Lockport sized cats, can be gilled with a thumb tucked into the corner of the mouth for extra support. There is a soft spot there where they can't crunch your thumb.

[Gordie]

did you check out some of those other videos 65 lb flat hand grabbed redneck style man I gotta try that

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

The best part is that he was so nice to put the channel down nicely not just throw him.

[kittycatcher16]

I thought gangsters were supposed to be bada$$?... lol

[Carp-fisher]

11.5 lb Minnesota River PB. Middle of the day, post cold front, whoda thought?

[Whisker Warrior]

Nice channel Carp-fisher!

[Gordie]

one from friday aftrenoon

[DTro]

Here's PapaGrump with a nice one:

[DTro]

...and I had to post this one because I know Rushing LOVES his Channel Cats. Plus the Shadow Men is a nice touch.

It was a big fish too. Still a bait waster to him

[Gordie]

I cant repeat what rushing called them on league night but that is a dandy. see rushing I knew you could do it. oh whats that behind you i think you got one on film

[Carp-fisher]

12 lbs of shad munching cat

[Larry FlatCaster]

Nice Fish Mate!!!

[HotPocket]

Nice one.

[Carp-fisher]

A really hungry looking 9.5. Full moon didn't seem to bother him. Couldn't buy a flathead bite though....