Son wants to do a catfish contest

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Entered the contest again this year. With all the rain we have been getting, the river rose over 3' during the contest. We, well actually my son, did better this year. He caught a 5, 6, and 9.61lb catfish. His friend and myself, zero. The 9.61 lber got him 8th place. First place was a 11+ lber. The 9.61 came at 12:30AM, and was rather exciting. Half asleep, and the pole is ripped from its perch, one guy on spot light, one on net, and my son fighting a fish, trying to keep it clear from all shoreline brush and all the floating debris. Did well considering, we still don't target catfish, anytime during the rest of the year.

 

[KRS]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Excellent report! Glad your team did well, next year is looking better

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

A couple of tidbits from the event:<br /><br />- Event was not cancelled, even though we received allot of rain and river was rising quickly. Allot of debris was in the river. We watched a boat that was anchored just downstream in hole from us, get hung up on a floating tree. The tree was about 12" diameter and a good 40' long. They took about 30 minutes to clear away from that tree. <br /><br />- We were stationed across from the event headquaters, which is probably the main boat launch people used. We saw just about every kinda boat from little bathtub size boats to pontoon boats. The Owego rescue boat was stationed there, and made about hourly river checks. I don't think they were giving out tickets, just checking for people in trouble. I believe they are part of the fire dept, and probably don't have autority to board or check people for equipment. We saw numerous boats, running after dark without regulation lighting. Saw some running with regulation lighting, under a good clip, which they couldn't possibly react to river debris. Glad we were on shore!<br /><br />- Possible cheater: About 1/2 hour after my son's fish was weighed, there was a guy with a fish on the stringer. Fish compared to the size of others, that weighed 7 lbs, but had an extended gut. Apon weighing, it was 10+ lbs! Official made a comment and felt the stomack. I guess he didn't find enough to investigate further, and was released into the river, with most of the other fish. A contstent made a comment about buckshot, and the person who submitted the fish, face was flush. He looked very guilty to me. Amazing, since he didn't put in enough to take the top position (Tracker V14, 10hp Merc, trailer, trolling motor, and depth finder), only enough for small cash prise. Only thing worse than a cheat, is a dumb cheat!

 

[fireman57]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

Glad that you entered again and caught a nice one, well your son did anyway. Use this summer to scout out new holes for next year and maybe it won't rain. It is always exciting to catch a 10lb+ fish on rod and reel. Maybe next year you can stay in the boat and check other places too. It was awfully good of you to post again on the contest this year. I agree on the cheater.

 

[John_S]

Re: Son wants to do a catfish contest

We will be doing it again next year, for sure. We will try the boat, but will have a back-up shore location, too. The 3-5AM time, gets real hard to keep those eyes open! So, will probably go to shore, during that time anyway. The good news is, we know the bottom depth and consistancy, very well, in this area, from all the fall walleye fishing we do.