Group Cat Fish Fest

[PADavid]

Last evening I ventured forth to a local impoundment to try to catch the elusive and rare Channel Cat. At least last night they were elusive and rare, we usually do really well at the location, but with ten rods spread out over a few hundred yards of the lake, ONE yes one channel.

This is the same location where we slayed them a week before. We soaked bait from about 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Around 10 pm we noticed that there were crayfish everywhere, so we scooped up a few. I caught a large molting crayfish and strung it under a bobber. I floated it near the rip rap at the dam face and managed this smaller channel:


Here we are set up on a picnic table (they killed time by listening to the Phillies lose and playing Yatzee)


The cats were just not that interested last night - we will figure them out again, no matter how many fishing trips it takes

[FishingLTJ]

Well, I guess better luck next time! I went out the other night and only got one in 3 hours of fishing! Wait till the full moon comes again, they will hit then!

[PADavid]

I agree - I think it will take a new or full moon (we are moving towards full) to get those big cats roaming again. Of course, that means giant flatheads in the river

[FishingLTJ]

Yes, giant flatties indeed! I am going to hit my local flattie spot once that moon comes in! See if they will tear up some goldfish!

[slim357]

ive only been night fishing a few times and never caught anything whats the best time of night to go out

[texasbasser]

Nice catfish. Slim, I have my best luck right at sundown.

tb

[PADavid]

Originally Posted by slim357

ive only been night fishing a few times and never caught anything whats the best time of night to go out

It varies, there is no "best" time. Some nights they start hitting before sundown, sometimes not until after the moon comes up, which might be like 11:00 pm or later.

There does not seem to be a pattern, rhyme or reason for when they may hit. I think that they roam an area of the lake, going from deep to shallow water in search of food. If there is a lot of food present, they seem to take a long time to find your bait - probably because they are not moving so much to9 find a meal.

We always seem to do well when the water is high and muddy. My theory (and it is only a theory) is that the high, muddy water helps the cats prey hide better (they are most likely eating crayfish and perch in my local lakes), therefore the channesl home in on our bait which is out in the open.

Get out there and do it a few nights and you will get a feel for when your cats are eating

[slim357]

Yea im bout to head out this afternoon prob wont do any cat fishin tonight tho but I will give it a try some time thanks for the info

[PADavid]

Went for a few hours last night. As soon as we set up I had a real nice run off. Dropped the bait before I could get the hook set. After that, we sat for hours, nothing but taps once in a while. Just before we were going to call it quits, Mr. Shizzy nails a medium size one. It was his first ever so that made my night!