Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

[Mountaineer67]

Well, this should start a lively discussion...perhaps. And I apologize if I am beating a dead horse here. I've been fishing the upper Ohio River (just north of Wheeling) for a couple of years now. After the first year of "Boy, I bet I could catch a big one if I could only get over 'there'", I went out and got a boat (yeah... I know... That's how I ended up here, too.). Still looking for the big ones...heck - looking for anything.

Been all over the Internet, all kinds of forums, discussion boards, YouTube, you name it. I'm looking to see if there is a "definitive" or best technique to fishing cats from a boat. I'll catch a few fish every now and again, but nothing quite the scale or the numbers of what I see you guys do. My largest was a 16 pounder last year.

Anyway, I've read just about everything I can get my hands on, and I'm as confused as ever. I've read every kind of bait argument there is. What I have to work with is primarily cut bluegill (ease of access and ability to vacuum pack/freeze, etc.). People say to fish shallow. Other say go deep. Some say fish the banks. Others say fish on the side of the barge channel (nothing like a barge at 1am to leave a pucker mark in the uhpolstery). Some say anchor up. Others drift (which I would LOVE to know how to do without getting snagged up a blue million times). I've heard morning...night...all day...evening. Fished near rocks...near trees...by the mouths of creeks. Getting the idea here?

So - I'm just looking for the best advice I can find, given the bait restrictions I have in the location I am. Any advice, stories, fishin' holes, advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm not expecting to win the tournament or anything, and I know the best of us come home empty handed from time to time (don't worry...I CPR), but I would think I should be able to catch a few more than I'm doing.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

You're not going to be happy with my response, but here it comes.

TIME ON THE WATER: A river and it's fishing can change by the minute,hour,or day. Spending time on the water and gaining experience with different conditions is invaluable.

Do you have a friend or know anyone that has some experience fishing where you do? Their knowledge of the waters could greatly enhance your ability.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

Thats pretty much what I was going to say, I was just waiting for someone else to say it first! I was a very hardcore fisherman for a long time, then moved and had no time or boat and finally just got back into it a couple years ago and when did, I felt like a fish out of water! Now I've got my sealegs back and outfish, most of the folks, but I was worried for a while. Lots of it is just time on water and being observant and perseverent. One thing about catfish, is they aren't good at reading, so any rules are likely to be broken by them. I've heard that they are dormant in cold water and yet I have caught LOTS of the through the ice when it was -20F. My experience is that the bigger cats are in the deeper water, but those "noodler" guys catch huge flatheads in a couple feet of water. I have caught some decent sized cats on BASS plugs right at the surface in deep water and some of my bigger ones have been TROLLING with walleye lures. However, my first choices for big cats would be close to deep water, holes, dropoffs, humps etc., with ideally some current, but not strong current. Anchored, so that the bait is in the right spot, fresh bait, frozen will work, but fresh is far better, partially because the frozen bait is soft and dosn't stay on the hook all that well. For big fish, generally think a big bait, you might catch less fish, but thats the choice you have to make. 1/0 hooks are fine for the majority of catfish, in fact I have caught hundreds on a #2 wide gap, but if you are going after really big cats, say 30#'s+, a number 1/0 circle hook actually has a very small gap and may not catch that thick jaw, especially with a big chunk of bait.

 

[John T2268]

Re: Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

Hello Mountianeer67 . I live just north of you in Weirton . And I can agree with everything these guys are saying . Fishing the Ohio river is a little overwhelming at first . I know I spent more time when I started , looking for fish than catching fish . Now I can hit the river running I know I can catch stripper , an crappies and walleys all on the same section of the between the New Cumberland locks and Kingscreek creek . I have a buddy that only fishes for big cats mostly up by the locks and just below them from shore . I'm not trying to be a smart a** try coming a to the dam and anchor up , use your cut bait and give it some time maybe a couple different days an times . There in there and once you figure them out you'll hit every time . Good Luck

 

[carlh]

Re: Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

Try a bait that gives off a good scent trail - I find liver and heart to be good here in Zimbabwe. Another bait the locals use is soap but you need a soap that is made from vegetable oils I think.

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Ohio River (or any large river, really) Catfishing Techniques

I grew up fishing the northern pools of the Mississippi, mostly pool 4. We had a small fishing camp on the water and were up there a lot in the summer. I am only 25 but when I was younger still, I loved gross things for whatever reason, so catfishing was just awesome to me!

Over time I learned to adapt my techniques mostly to what time of year it was. For me it was spring, early summer, late summer, and fall. Learn to fish a certain time of year and it generally holds true, or at least it did for me.

For example, right now being late July the water for the most part has reached its upper threshold in temperature. It may still warm up a few degrees but not much. Look for channel cats in deeper holes with slow to moderate current during the day and feeding in shallow to moderately deep creek inlets at night using stinkbait or cut bait. Also, below the locks and dams were dynamite on the 'Sippi no matter the time of year but especially in the dead of summer. Turbid water creates a higher level of oxygen is what I've been told. Channel cats and an occasional but rare blue cat could be caught and I always found fishing below the big locks to be better during the day...way better! I would catch an occasional flathead cranking for 'eyes below the lock and dam with #7 rapalas and they were often big, 20lbs+.

I fished for bigger flatheads along deep cutout banks with moderate current with live bait but never worms.

As far as bait selection goes, cut bluegill can be okay but they are not an oily fish. Talk to a few locals or go to a bait shop and ask how you could get ahold of fresh cut gizzard shad or shad guts. They may even point you to a spot where you could net some. Up north and even here in Iowa, this is a catfisherman's gold! They are way more oily than any baitfish you will find. They will work well for channel and Blue cats if you have them.

Stinkbait also works well for channel cats.

I've never caught a flathead on anything other than nightcrawlers occasionally, a live bluegill, sunfish, or preferably bullhead. This is not a high percentage game like channel cat fishing can be so be patient.

Check your local regs first, but banklining or "diddy poles" as we call them is a great way to locate good flathead spots. Try this for a few nights and if you catch a few, concentrate on those spots with poles. You should be able to locate some good action on channel cats with a couple poles in the water.

My family no longer has the fishing camp and I rarely make it up that way anymore. Two years ago I took a couple friends there over the 4th of july. Their eyes were huge when i told them some of my fishing stories on the drive up but secretly I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to find us fish, as it had been 5 years since I last wet a line in that pool. Long story short, we found the fish in abundance as my planned approach for that time of year held true. Here's a few pics! Good luck!

Just a few the many channel cats we caught.

Sorry for the novel. I hope it helps!