Southern Catfishing

[99silverado]

Any body have any tips on catching nice 2-10lb channel and blue cats in the south. Anytime of year is fine. I usually fish the red river here in Louisiana and can usually only seem to catch small ones (under 12" long). I use worms and stinkbait about 1-2 feet off the bottom during the morning in the summertime.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I used to Catfish Louisiana and Miss. when I was younger. I used bass or croaker fillets. I would cube up the fillets let em get a little ripe in a zip lock bag. stink baits work well drop several jars on twine in the area your fishing.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

Dynamite used in shallow water will get mud all over your nice boat if you dont get far enough back. I recomend a 2 minute fuse, unless your boat is hard to start. If so I would go to a 5 minute fuse.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

Half a stick is all thats required.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I bought a boat just like yours for brother. we removet the stick steer and engin controls ,relocated the rear seat a little and mounted a 4 stroke tiller steer rope start merc on it. it moves. I can imagine what yours does with a 50 on it.

 

[99silverado]

Re: Southern Catfishing

Originally posted by heycods:<br /> I bought a boat just like yours for brother. we removet the stick steer and engin controls ,relocated the rear seat a little and mounted a 4 stroke tiller steer rope start merc on it. it moves. I can imagine what yours does with a 50 on it.

It's broke right now...it'll be up and running by Feb. no matter what! You wouldn't happen to still have the stick steering or know where I could find one would you? What size motor did you go with?

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

It had an old 40 hp rude on it 72 i think. the stick stere was froze up ,thats why we went to the tiller stere.The merc is a 25 hp, I believe its hevier than the 40hp that came off it. he pulls 3 kids at a time on a tube behind it. Kick-axx.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Southern Catfishing

welcome to iboats, 99silvarado!<br /><br />If you can catch some small bluegills, hook 'em through the lips or in one eye & out the other. use a leader & barrel swivel if they twist your line too much. add some lead if they won't go deep enough, or just let em swim. Cut the dorsal fin off the bigger ones, make it an easier meal for the kitties.<br /><br />Or catalpa worms if you can find 'em.<br /><br />Grew up in Shreveport...fishing Lake Bistineau, Caddo, Wallace, Cross Lake. Toledo Bend. Couldn't put a boat on the river then.<br /><br />Got a 70 'rude on my 1980 15ft kingfisher; that tri-hull is a very wet ride in rough weather but it goes upwards of 40mph.<br /><br />The evinrude guys over in the engine forum are great - I'd of been dead in the water long time ago without 'em.

 

[colding01]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I find shiners work well for larger catfish here in southern Georgia. They work well dead or alive. If they are alive, you have a better chance at catching other types of fish too. Would recommend fishing around creek openings in places that aren't real swift.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Southern Catfishing

If you use live bream for bait check you local laws regarding length. I think here it's 3 inches max. Bigger than that and the possum cops will give you a fine.<br /><br />I take small fish and fillet one side off, scales and all, and put Kick N Bass garlic scent on it, stick it on a Carolina rig with a circle hook and a 1 oz egg sinker.<br /><br />Try night fishing too. If'n the skeeters don't carry you off.<br /><br />spots

 

[Kalian]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I'm not from the south, but shrimp always work great for me. They have a strong smell, and are tough so they stay on the hook. Just don't get the cooked ones!

 

[MYTJC]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I cut up some hotdogs in 1 inch pieces and put in a plastic container. Then i sprinkle garlic powder all over them and microwave for about 20 seconds and the GP sticks to the pieces like glue. Then put on a hook and BAM!!! you got catfish!! I use it when i fish Clear Lake and its been a blessing. Happy Holidays.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I have heard a simular story on the hotdogs, but they soaked them in vanilla overnight. Didnt say if they used beef, pork, or chicken weniers. Im betting chicken they are cheeper, but might be pork the fat would make them stay on better.The reports Im getting is the catfish are starting to bight on west texas lakes. Dont know how this cold spell will affect them?

 

[99silverado]

Re: Southern Catfishing

My brothers and uncle went fishing from the shore off of lake bistineau this last weekend and caught nothing but 2-8lbers. Makes me mad because they don't know jack about fishing! They filled two ice chests full of them. Here I am always researching and trying different techniques and can't catch nothing but the small ones! Do you know what they're biting over in west texas? <br /><br />Thanks for all the info everybody! Keep'em coming!

 

[MYTJC]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I use the cheapest hot dogs i can find....beef,chicken,pork....i dont think the fish care much about meat type but the garlic flavor sure sticks to them and they hold up very well.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

A few like the hotdogs. most agree on fresh shad,a lot like the punch baits ,Danny kings, buck shot even old Mr Whiskers.I ordered 2 gals. of danny kings just came in today,Ill post results when I find out.

 

[heycods]

Re: Southern Catfishing

try www.texasfishingforum.com/ site verry simular to Iboats lots of Imformation on the forum and under the search past posts. lwr

 

[99silverado]

Re: Southern Catfishing

Originally posted by heycods:<br /> try www.texasfishingforum.com/ site verry simular to Iboats lots of Imformation on the forum and under the search past posts. lwr

Thanks, I'll check it out!

 

[NBE]

Re: Southern Catfishing

I have found that chicken livers and hearts work well down here in the swamps. You can soak them in vanilla, garlic, and whatever else you want. We use them on our catfish lines down here and seems to work better than some other stuff we have tried. <br /><br />Cut bait, i.e., bream work ok at times but you have to usually catch them somehow to use them as bait. Chicken livers and hearts can be found at most any meat shop and are pretty inexpensive. <br /><br />Hot dogs seem to work well also, but the kids always tend to eat more of them than we get to use for bait. Don't have that problem when using the raw chicken livers and hearts.

 

[Booner]

Re: Southern Catfishing

99 Silverado:<br />Big Blue cats like cut bait in deep water. You will not catch many big cats on stink bait,dough bait,soft bait and crap like that. LOOK AT THIS LINK http://www.catfish1.com/forums/ <br />The brotherhood of catfish will get you on some big cats. I beleve that Big blues perfer fish whether it be cut or hole to any outher bait. Flat heads perfer live bait.