Bad night

Started slow but the kitties finally turned on. Problem being can’t bring any in!!! Agh!!

Had some old 12# flouro always used for leaders, worked well enough, well that snapped at hook on a crazy run. Bound to go bad eventually, switch to newer 14# and now snapped again!! Frick. Before all that had one snag up on bottom, happens, but cmon, let’s get another in the boat here.

Have a trapper as a neighbor who jars these things up for the seasons and trying to bring a couple home. One down so far.

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At least they’re biting. You’re bound to hook up with one eventually. Last time out on the Minnesota my buddy and I had 10 solid bites and only landed 3. We aren’t too experienced but was just glad we found them. Was out on the St Croix until dark tonight. Caught one, then had to go in and go to work. Keep us updated on how the night goes.

Have my flat rod in the garage. Forgot it tonight but thinking of switching over. Not much of a flat population up this way from what I gather, but so far this year had a few real big “whacks” on the bait before runs that never turned into fish. Seems like a fish who inhales their baits rather chews and tears like channels. We will see.

Bigger hooks, bigger line, bigger rods hopefully cures this.

What # line guys use for bigger channels?

I’ve been using 50# braid with a leader below a swivel and no roll sinker. Haven’t hooked into anything big though to really need it. But have it on there in case I do get lucky and run into a flat.

What are you using for bait?

Cutbait.

Left after another swing and miss on couple bites. Moon was rocking on my way back to landing made me want to stay.

Wife and kids out of town rest of week. Should be in boat rest of week then as well, hopefully the bite continues so I can figure it out one way or another.

Nice, my wife is gone the rest of the week also. Good luck out there. I’m hoping to get out a few more times this weekend.

My channel cat rods are 7’6 M rippin lip baitcaster rods. Cat maxx reels, 80# braid.

Wouldn’t channel cat fish without em. Perfect setup for hookups and bringing them in.

What’s your leader material?

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

My channel cat rods are 7’6 M rippin lip baitcaster rods. Cat maxx reels, 80# braid.

Wouldn’t channel cat fish without em. Perfect setup for hookups and bringing them in.

those are awesome setups

since i mostly fish waters that have channels and flats i use heavier gear. just never know whether it’ll be a channel or a big ole flatty
i run a minimum of #65 for main line most are #80PP
6/0-8/0 circle hooks i use #80 mono ande leaders

flathead specific rods
10/0 gama octo and #80PP for main line and leader

oh cant forget swivels
i use swivels rated for at least #200

ur right there doesnt seem to be much flats above St. anothony area but i dont see why there wouldnt be any. considering ive caught and seen many flats at Mill ruins area.

yrs ago we were targeting channels just south of the 694 bridge. my bud had on what i swear was about a #25-30 flat. however, about 5′ away from the net it bent out a 4/0 gama C-hook (i dont use 4/0 hooks anymore)
i truly believe it was a flat or the biggest darkest channel ive ever seen

ive often thought of targeting flats again in that stretch just to try and confirm there are some up that way

Some us a lighter leader in hopes of saving some terminal tackle if they get hung up. Me? I use the same line as my main line. 80 pound Team Catfish braid in yellow.

I’m not sure I’ll get out this weekend. Yes, I’m a little crabby.

We catch a lot of channel cats on the Mississippi between Brainerd and St.Cloud. We never use more than 8#:???: Fish are only 5-10 pounds though. How big are the fish you’re breaking off?

From what I’ve been seeing the fish have been gradually been getting bigger and healthier in the section. All the 2-3# average fish I was catching few years back are now in that 5-7# range with fish over 10# not uncommon, which is freaking awesome.

With that said, I’m use to 8-12# leaders as well like Joe mentioned. But it’s obviously time to upgrade bc last night was frustrating as ell.

Time to break in the big pole!!

nhamm wrote:

With that said, I’m use to 8-12# leaders as well like Joe mentioned. But it’s obviously time to upgrade bc last night was frustrating as ell.

Time to break in the big pole!!

i remember when i first started cattin and thinking #15-20 mono was heavy line. but every time i lost a fish or had a heartbreaking situation i kept upgrading to beefier gear to where im at now

i’ve seen mid teens channels from that stretch and wouldnt doubt fish over #20 are swimming around up there
its been rumored that the State record channel of #38 is from that area

200-300# swivels and leader is also 80# braid unless in high current then 25-40# mono.

I bent a 9/0 blue cat hook with my gear last Saturday before the dam people kicked me out of the dam area. That was a disappointment. X2.

I’ve been using 40# power pro and then 20# fluro as my leader. Haven’t broken one off yet. Although I’m pretty new to this. Hoping to hit the St Croix in Hudson again this evening.

“Go big or go home” I was told once.

For the guys that are running less then 80 pounds, all I’ll say is when you loose a fish to a broken line, please don’t whine.

Between rocks and wood fraying your line and a big cat trying to break it on the other end, it’s going to happen.

They will show you your weakest link in your set up.

If your fishing channel cats, please disregard the above.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

“Go big or go home” I was told once.

For the guys that are running less then 80 pounds, all I’ll say is when you loose a fish to a broken line, please don’t whine.

Between rocks and wood fraying your line and a big cat trying to break it on the other end, it’s going to happen.

They will show you your weakest link in your set up.

If your fishing channel cats, please disregard the above.

what about wussy Walleyes?

82 mh wild cat with 30# mono figured it out!!

Wow, way funner fight with this combo than my last setup. Fish are so powerful.

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nhamm wrote:

82 mh wild cat with 30# mono figured it out!!

Wow, way funner fight with this combo than my last setup. Fish are so powerful.

Yeah buddy, nice kitty!

nhamm,have you tried that secret weapon I told you about yet??

note on stink baits,the people who make that stuff run a diaper service on the side.

Not yet Sheldon, not yet. Couldn’t find em at the grocery store…. no Ive said to much!!!

Geared up now to take on that 30″+ threshold, just cant seem to break it.

Also saw how much bend that rod has, certainly wouldn’t handle a flattie of any decent size from my rookie mind, will need to upgrade that as well when the time comes.

nhamm wrote:

Geared up now to take on that 30″+ threshold, just cant seem to break it.

Also saw how much bend that rod has, certainly wouldn’t handle a flattie of any decent size from my rookie mind, will need to upgrade that as well when the time comes.

That’s why I went with Ugly Stick cat rods. Certainly aren’t high quality but they seem to get the job done and don’t break. If I hook into a flat it’s going to be my line that breaks. I’ve seen so many youtube videos on these cat rods lifting and pulling all sorts of crazy things. They are cheap which being a newb in this is a good thing as most of my $$ is going towards buying a boat this fall. I do pair them with better quality reels though.

Funny, day after I post that the rod handles this guy pretty well. Lots of learning yet!

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You are on them right now!