Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

[imported_Warren]

Well, fished in the tourney and fired up the trout(about 50 each) The weigh in was at 2 and we got in line to pull the boat at 1.45, some idiot had boat problems, decided to work on it blocking the launch, and took 45 min to pull his boat out of the water (1 lane launch ramp). We get up to the weigh in and they're done. Already handed out the trophys. First place was a 12lb stringer. We were pissed. They were doin the raffle and I won the most expensive raffle item. A custom rod. After everyone left, we threw our stringers on the scale. Mine was 10.8(good for 2nd) and my buddys was 13.9(good for 1st and big fish) Being late cost us about $800 bucks.......Even though my buddy was mad, he said even though we lost it was cool having people come up to us and ask us what we were using.......Lesson learned,"Leave for the scales early"....Only caught one cat all day and it was a little guy.......Thanks for all the help.....Warren<br /><br />Hello, I know that the winters here in Cali aren't like the winters a lot of you have but I entered into a fishing tourney for next weekend and they are allowing us to weigh in catfish or trout. The lake is 120 feet deep at the dam, the record catfish is around 70lbs. I need to catch a catfish of some size to win. The lake we are fishin is a pay lake filled with steroid trout that are up to 18?lbs but its like playin the lottery trying to target those. I'm not too sure of the water temp but the air temp will be a high of about 65degrees. I'm going to be using mackeral chunks and nightcrawlers. Should I fish deep at the dam? Not sure where large catfish go during the winter months....Any suggestions would be helpful and profitable...lol..., i'll be fishing from my boat.....Warren

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

If they are channel cats try some chicken livers. That stuff works like magic around here. We use a an egg sinker rig with the livers. Stay out of the clear water, find some deep dark pockets adjancent to a steep drop off. If they are flatheads cut bait wont do it they want live bait. Hope this helps.<br /><br />Tightlines Flathead

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

For catfish, use Caltalpa worms...When others aren't catching, we'll catch our limits....even the game wardens are surprised seeig us cleaning

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

Just checked the website http://www.irvinelake.net/fishn.htm they are channel cats. Is the chicken livers that you use frozen ones? I'm not really sure where to get those. They sell them here frozen for bait but they suck and fall apart really easy. Is there a special hook to use or just a regular trebel and don't cast too hard? I don't like using the catalpa worms too much, those things are all hairy and nasty lookin...lol...I'm gonna go to the store tomorrow and look for some livers....Thanks for the replys, first place in the tourney should be over $1000......Warren

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

Best bait for cats I've ever found is the fish swimming IN that lake. If you have Bluegill, or green sunfish, panfish of any sort, for that matter, I'd catch a dozen or so, and fillet the sides off or cut straight through the entire fish perpendicular to the spine, and put the pieces into a zip-lock. You want the chunks of bait to be about 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide, by about 3 to 4 inches long. use a 2/0-4/0 hook going thru the skin, not just the meat.<br />Unless you have a specific spot that you anchor near, I would drift if you have the wind for it, and don't drift thru the same spot twice if you don't catch fish or get hits in that area.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

Warren I use fresh livers. The frozen ones are not as firm and do tend to fall off the hook easily. <br /><br />I slip a an egg sinker on the line then tie on a heavy snap swivel . Attach a 2.0 hook with about 12 inches of line on to the swivel, you can use snelled hooks bought in the store for this. If you hook the liver just right it wont fall off when you toss it out. Cast it out and let it sit. When the fish takes it, the slip sinker stays put and the line slides through it. The fish wont feel much resistance, gives ya time to set the hook. <br /><br />You can also take an old nylon stocking and put frozen livers in it and hang it over the side of the boat for a chum to get the attention of the cats. This works well for me here in Pa. don't know how it works where you are but its worth a shot.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

I don't like using the catalpa worms too much, those things are all hairy and nasty lookin

You must have different caltalpa worms up there. I've never seen hair on them...of course I could have OLD caltalpa worms that have gone bald <br /><br />They store great in the freezer and tear em' in 1/2, bait the hook and be prepared to clean fish.<br /><br />the only problem is getting them...Not every bait store stocks them.<br /><br />Now that I've told you my secret, stay north of Dallas and west of San Antonio

 

[catfish1]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

channel cats dont get 70lbs, the world record channel is 58lbs (santee cooper). mackeral will work, i'd go with anchovie but thats me! if your fishing from boat try a slip bobber set a few feet off bottom try to drift along dropoffs & old creek beds at the 20-30ft depth range. if i were there i would also try a drift rig if i had a little breeze. i would explain how to tie a drift rig but its a little too complex to explain, but they are very popular at the santee cooper lakes. i have also used one at lake havasu,AZ and caught catfish on it. <br />check out the pictures at these links, you may see a drift rig in one. if not, i'm sure it'll get your blood pumping anyway!<br />www.randolphs-landing.com<br /> http://www.santeecoopercats.com

 

[imported_Warren]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

Yea, i'm not too sure what kind of catfish the lake record was http://www.irvinelake.net/pic22.htm but it was sure a toad. bigger than I thought. I'm going to try the "flats" an area that averages about 15 feet but the trout have been holding there so its going to be crowded. I may be forced to fish at the dam. Is there any use to sending catfish baits down 100 + - feet? or should I stay shallow during the winter time? The average depth of this lake is probably about 40-50 feet....Thanks for the repys, i'll be sure to post a report this sunday after the tourneys over. I'll hopefully be a thousandair by then...lol.......Warren

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

this is just my 2c<br /><br />i believe the big cats go south for the winter. not to the equator, just away from the cold winter currents. as in downstream. holes, depressions. find the nearest one with +20' depth, still close enough to the avg depth of the river, and if its a 'hole' its that much better. anchor upstream, chunk something ez to catch into the deep just past the front lip of the hole. <br />JMHO<br />(amended) i guess with CA you have to find the 20-30' breaks, since the temp is diff than what i fish. good luck. i would fish CA like i was looking for the big monster bass, except look for a more relaxed and calmer current break for a cat.

 

[catfish1]

Re: Tips on Winter Catfishin "Updated"

warren, i would'nt fish in too deep of water! all the magazines i've read along with my own experience says catfish hang out in depths rangeing from 2-30ft. you may catch a catfish as deep as 100', but the majority of catfish caught are in 2-30 ft. <br />i just remembered what we used to use for bait at lake piru, calif. "garlic cheese" you know the stuff you buy in the store that comes in a tube? anyway, it worked ok! but i'd still go with whole anchovie (unsalted). good luck!!!!