Son wants to do a catfish contest

[John_S]

The local VA holds a 2 day catfish contest every year. My son wants to participate in this years event (June 4/5), but we don't have much catfish experience. We have caught them occasionaly (channel cats), while fishing for other species. I believe the typical contest winner is in 12-14lb range. <br /><br />We plan to use our trolling poles (7' rods/5500) combos that have 12-14lb test. For our second pole, we will have to settle for 10lb test bait casters, on slightly less stout poles. Not willing to run off and buy allot of equipment for this. (at least not yet!)<br /><br />From reading up on this, it sounds like I want to find a deep area (around 20') which is at least semi-backwash, with good log coverage. We will be looking for an upstream area from there, that shallows up. Knowing the river depths fairly well, I have a number of spots to scout out. I believe our bigger problem will be someone beating us there. While we will launch in the boat, we will plan to beach it, and fish from shore. ie we will be fishing from dusk to dawn, and don't want to risk falling a sleep in a small boat on a river. <br /><br />I don't know squat about channel catfish baits. I saw the shrimp/vanilla/brown suger combo in another post. Sounds better than any of the chicken gut recipes, I've seen. Thinking of trying that on one rod, and cut-bait on another. <br /><br />Anyway, sorry for the long post. Looking for hints/ideas for fishing for channel cats, especially on NE area rivers. Any great catfish spots on NY section of the Susquhanna would be excellent.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Stay in your boat. That way you can check each spot carefully and move around as needed. Even if someone beats you there there should be plenty of cover to fish if you have logjams. Take plenty of hooks and weights. Nightcrawlers are good this time of year. If you just had a shad hatch use cut shad. You can get plenty with a couple throws of a throw net. Depth isn't as much as a factor as a change of depth. Fish any ledges you find. On top and at the bottom of them. Use a different bait on each pole until you find what they prefer. Fish an area 15-20 minutes if no bites move. you probably won't have to move far to find them. If you run out of fish in one spot find another one with the same structure. A deep hole in the middle of the river is a good spot to hold big fish as they just wait there for food to float down to them. the smaller ones will look and move around to find food but the big boys just lay there and wait. If you can find a nice eddy at a bend in the river fish it good. If you have a grain loading facility anywhere near fish the heck out of it just downstream maybe 20-30ft and I guarantee you will catch tons. They love to eat the spilled grain. Good luck.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Fireman,<br /><br />Thanks for the info. Is it worth it to do the 20min and move during dusk/dawn and daylight? This river does not have any lighted markers. It can be a challenge on any night, but during this contest, I am not sure if I want to risk it. Having to be walleye fishing during other years of this catfish contest, I know this brings out everyone and their brother. It would not be uncommon to see someone in a boat after dark, with no lights. One of the spots, under consideration is an island. We would be able to move around that and fish different water. The deep holes in this area of the river, run 15-25' during this time of year. <br /><br />Nightcrawlers, no problem. Very few shad make it up this part of the river. Too many downstream dams. I don't know of any grain loading facility, near the river <br /><br />Your approach of a different bait on each pole certainly makes sense. Four poles, one sweet shrimp, one crawlers, one cut-bait (dead shinners), leaves one more. Is there a good stink-bait to try or have another recommendation? <br />A local guy recommended soft shell crawfish (molting). I've caught good smallies on those, can't say I got any cats.<br /> <br />BTW, my son is probably more interested in the "competition" of the event. Just to kick-back, by lantern and camp fire, and catch some cats (whatever size) would be fine with me

 

[fireman57]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Don't be on the river at night unless you are very familiar with it and have the proper lights. You must have your red/greeen plus your white stern light on when you are underway. This means if your engine is running to most game wardens. If you are anchored you must leave your white stern light on. Your're right that night brings out the crazies so watch for them too. I do a lot of night fishing especially in the summer when the day temps get high. Cats seem to be very shallow a couple of hours after dark until sunlight hits the water the next morning. If you have the island to work, proper lights, and a depth finder it should be productive. Secret is if one spot is not producing to move to another. Find five or six likely spots and work them in succession. At some point you will probably pick up fish in all of them. Fish seem to move to different spots at different times for me. Try live shiners on your other rod. Blues like lively bait, flatheads like dead stuff, and channels don't seem to be real picky. If want to get real serious take some chicken liver and leave it in a closed container for about 2 days in the sun with some black licorice (anise) in it. Once you can't get within 30 feet of it take them out and let them dry until they get a tough skin on them but are still fairly soft. This helps them stay on the hook but you will stink for about 4 days. If you use circle hooks you will not lose as many fish and they usually get hooked right in the corner of the mouth. You have to post the results of this tourney and how you did. If you have a chance make sure that you fish your areas before the tourney and make note of landmarks and hazards for future reference, especially at night. One more thing, you said that you have shoals upriver. Achor in them and throw downstream to the pool below them during the day. Should be good. At night try fishing the shoals but watch your lower unit. Make sure you take a good net because if the tourney is based on purely number of fish and weight you don't want to lose any.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Thanks again Fireman,<br /><br />I haven't picked up the rules yet, but believe it is just based on the largest channel cat, not total weight. My son said they also have tagged fish awards, this year. I don't believe blues or shovel heads are in this part of the river. Never heard of anyone catching them, anyway. I'll certainly post back with results, good or bad. I am hoping to get out one night during Memorial Day weekend, to test some spots/baits.

 

[llfish]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

I Have had good luck using Premo Hog wild super stick dipping bait and some type of bait holder.<br /><br />Good luck!!!!

 

[llfish]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Sorry for all of the duplicate posts<br /><br />Good luck!!!!

 

[llfish]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Sorry<br /><br />Good luck!!!!

 

[cajun555]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Try this site www.catfishin.net

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

I think on one of those poles I'd have a live Bluegill as bait.

 

[PierBridge]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Originally posted by Skinnywater:<br /> I think on one of those poles I'd have a live Bluegill as bait.

Actually bullheads work better.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

did you get any practice in this weekend? You need to practice before the tourney.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Did we fish for cats? Nope! Only had a chance to fish, well after the sun rose. No walleyes either. I caught and released 6 nice smallies. Son had 4 quick releases! We did do allot of depth readings and selected our prime spot and a couple of alternatives.<br /><br />Our prime spot, is not easily accessed, outside of boat. It is by a small inlet culvert. Able to reach deep channel (15') along with 10' and 6' plateus. There is room to fish all four rods, and there is a natural backwash created by the inlet fill. I have caught catish nearby, at times, vertical jigging for eyes. <br /><br />We have all four rods, ready and rigged. Have enough terminal tackle and clicking off other items on our list. I need to make up the shimp/vanilla extract/brown suger concoction, tonight. <br /><br />What are the chances that we will place in any payout catagories, very small. I think we are garrenteed to have some fun, though.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Just try plain old chicken livers on a # 5 hook. set up with an egg sinker slip rig..You can do a little chumming by putting frozen chicken livers in a nylon stocking and hanging that in the current up stream from where your fishing. Channel cats cant resist liver. Try to keep it simple for your sons sake. you dont want to be fiddling around with all kinds of rigs and such all day. If your looking to hook a big daddy flathead cat you"ll have to go with some kind of live bait like sunnies, or bluegills as skinny suggested. The flatheads are harder to catch but they get mighty big.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

I think I will add chicken livers to the list. It will be a long night, and if it is very slow, changing baits will help pass the time. Only channel cats in this area. I'll have to check my NY regs, but I think chumming is not allowed. <br /><br />I have the egg sinker slip rigs, along with traditional 3-ways. Your comment on a #5 hook, has me a little concerned. I have a number of style hooks I pulled out for this, but believe they are mostly size 1/0. This didn't seam too big to me. Do I need to downsize? or is it recommended when only using the livers? Don't think I have any #5's, but any 4's or 6's seam to be too thin a hook for handling 5-12lb cats.

 

[grandx]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

John,<br />With all due respect to the rest of the catfishers out there... The best bait I've ever used for catfish (channels or others) is squid, or cut shad. If targeting Channels, they act a bit like game fish and do not feed on the bottom as much as the other species. Channels feed in the middle to upper column of water, at least here in Texas, so I would try squid under a bobber and let it drift down the bank, over hanging trees, by log jams etc. The larger cats, blues, yellows etc will be found on the bottom primarily, I'd give them squid or cut shad as well. I've heard live gold fish are good too, but I've not tried, as I catch all I need with squid and shad. I don't care for the chicken livers, or packaged baits as they don't stay on the hook well and I don't remember catching many fish when that's all I had. if there is a dam, sand bar, log jam UP River, that's a good place for them to congregate. Best of luck to you and your son and enjoy.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

John the rig I use if I am only fishing for channels is a bell weight with a 1/0 hook tied about a foot above it and just keep bouncing the weight barely off the bottom. Channels do stay off the bottom when they are active. The last five or six years here on the Ohio they actually take the bait and swim up with it. I have to notice no tension on my line, reel in the slack, and then set the hook hard. I know this means that I am fishing too deep but if I try to hold it off the bottom then I don't get any bites as the depth changes as I drift. Doesn't matter if it is day or night get out and practice before hand if you can. I know that whatever happens your son will remember this trip the rest of his life. Dads that take their sons fishing when they are young have the great feeling of sons taking their Dads fishing when they are old.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Quick Results (will follow-up tonight with more details):<br /><br />About 500 people entered. Top Place went to a 10lb+ cat. Tweleth Place (final payout position) went to a 6lb+ cat. We caught one 4lb+ cat, which we released.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Originally posted by John_S:<br /> <br /><br />I have the egg sinker slip rigs, along with traditional 3-ways. Your comment on a #5 hook, has me a little concerned. I have a number of style hooks I pulled out for this, but believe they are mostly size 1/0. This didn't seam too big to me. Do I need to downsize? or is it recommended when only using the livers? Don't think I have any #5's, but any 4's or 6's seam to be too thin a hook for handling 5-12lb cats.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />A little late I know but... Oops, my bad. Just wanted to correct myself meant to say a # 2 circle hook.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

OK, the longer version....<br /><br />First off, in case I have given the wrong impression, my son just turned 18. Since he was 16 and had to get a NY fishing licence, I have treated him as any other fihing partner. He is expected to give and receive "trash" talk, expected to hold-up his end of the boat, handling anchor or whatever, share and voice his opinion on what pattern or location to try, etc. <br /><br /><br />THE SAGA:<br /><br />Timeline:<br />Friday Night: Senior Prom, son gets home at 3:30AM.<br /><br />Awake at 5:30Am and leave for contest registration. Son waits in line while I launch boat, and "claim" our piece of shoreline, by erecting a lean-to tarp tent, placing two plastic adironadak style chairs and cooler (live well) between them. Back to launch, trailer boat, and head back and register, head for home.<br /><br />Son gets a few more hours of sleep. Awake at 1PM, I drop him off at his part-time job, and I head to launch boat and start fishing. Put out two poles, one with shrimp, other with 2 nightcrawlers. Cast and have them on edge of the deeper water. BTW, all poles were converted to bell sinkers, set about three feet below hook. Given the angle of our lines, it would suspend bait about a foot/foot and a half, above bottom. No bites for 3-4 hours, and switch shrimp for liver. One small bite on the nightcrawler, but doesn't "take" it. 9:15Pm, pick-up son at boat ramp. Set out his two poles. We now have 4 different baits out. Shrimp, night crawlers, chicken liver, and 5-6" chub minnows. Lines are brought up into slightly shallower water. Darkness falls (new moon), lantern and campfire started. <br /><br />(to be continued...)<br />Forgot to add, that boat traffic was constant. Almost all boats that pasted, were in the derby.<br />We fish and talk to after midnight, no bites. Checked and moved baits a few times. Boat trafic has now stopped, except for a very occasional careful creep bye. We both start dozing off, sleeping for a an hour at a time, waking up, and checking poles, add a log to the fire, etc. This continues till first light. Around 5AM, I wake and start checking the bait on the poles, as I am reeling in the first pole, pole #4 gets pulled of its holder. I grab pole and set the hook. First fish! I wake Joe while fighting a fish. He does a sleep trance thing for a few seconds, but then finds net and assumes the position. Landed fish, and we are pumped. Change bait on one of the other poles to the large chub minnows(what cat hit). Boat traffic slowly picks-up <br /><br />After a while we put breakfast on the fire (foil packets), and have a nice hot breakfast. This was in plain view of 3 guys stopped fishing just above us. Probably made it taste a little better No more bites, after the fish. We started packing items around 8AM, and finally break camp, around 9AM. Two trips to the ramp, and done. We talk to many people before driving off. Many have caught no cats (lots oof carp), and many boats had only 1-2 cats for the 2-3 people in the boat. Our single 4lb cat, seem to grow or we at least felt a little better about it, the more we taked about it. On the way back, we see that the weigh in park is absolutly crowded. Decide not to fight through the tightly packed cars/trucks/boats/campers/etc, and head for home, to catch a little more sleep. Son had to be back to work at 2PM. We received derby stats after.<br /><br />After all this, and my son getting some time management experiene for college, I think we both have new respect for catfish. Targeting cats, was not as easy as we first thought. Would we enter again, absolutely. Would we camp/fish the shore, absolutely. Would we do that for the contest again, no, we would probably use our mid-size boat, to keep moving, and be more competitive. Would also need to pre-fish a couple of weekends prior. All good advice that was offered here. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone that helped out. Appreciate your time. Will post pics once we use up the rest of the film roll.