newbie

Started lurking here a few weeks ago and read everything I could on catching the elusive flattie… Anyway, a friend and I fished some on the WI river so far, and would like to fish the Miss, probably from LaCrosse on south…

So far the two times we’ve gone out on the WI we caught an 18lb channel cat, along with another 10 channels up to 10lbs or so and two flatheads, one about 5 and the other 9 lbs. Bait has been cut sucker minnows, and live bluegills. The cut bait was just to keep it interesting with a few channels along the way. Caught some decent channels on a few of the bluegills even.

Anyway, other than a somewhat brief intro, I also wanted to know what one would look for if they were on a long stretch of larger river with no super deep holes…maybe only 6-9 feet or so? Would we be better off just sticking to just below the dam where there is fast water and a 40′ scour hole, or head out and explore the downstream bends and whatnot?

Thanks for any guideance.

msalm, welcome to the IDA. I have been here for about 9 months and have learned more in those months than the previous 38 years of my life. I am not a cat guy but I am sure Brian will chime in soon and answer all your questions. Again welcome. Love2Fish.

Go exploring I am not familiar with the WS river at all but if you find any deeper water anywhere near cover stop and give 10-15 minutes. Unless it is very good looking water I keep moving, rarely spending more than 30 mins on one spot. Of course if you get on fish stay till the bite dies. And don’t rule out good looking water that you have fished with no success, return later in the day or when water is higher or lower in that spot and try it again.

I have a few spots on the MN river that are long straight shallow runs with no deep water for a long ways up and down stream that have lots of timber scattered all over the place that I have caught fish on, especially after dark.

Hope this helps you out fish in the boat. I’m sure Brian and the other great catmen on here will chime too.

Goood luck

Hey I’m kind of new to the Mississippi too, moved from Madison, to La Crosse, been fishing the Sip for about two months solid now still feel a little lost though I’ve caught everything I’ve gone out for, catfish though I’m feeling it out, found them at L&D7, along Goose Island, and I’m still hunting, though I just got some Army Corp maps going to do some paper hunting…especially with the overhead IR sat map which shows flow and depth ranges pretty cool forgot what the technical term is though bath something…

Welcome!

Both of you guys came to the right place for catten info.

These guys that responded above are so silly…as they are part of the folks that make up this forum…as you do.

There’s only one thing better than seeing the first post of a newbie…and that is when they post their first report of catching a biggie!

I don’t fish that area either…although I believe FlatheadWI does…and if we’re lucky he’ll jump in here too.

With the low flow…current is the first key…whether it be a dam or a wing dam…

Tony made a good point. Fish a spot twice if time permits. I’ve fished a hole early…just after dark and didn’t have a bite…then came back at 1 pm and stuck up to 4.

Good Luck…and keep us posted on how it’s going…don’t forget pictures!

Here’s the 18lb channel, 34″ caught on a dead sucker minnow with his belly slit open.

I’ll throw in my 2 cents. First, this is not from me, but from the Cat-Insider, a “deep hole or hole” is relative. It can be 10’or 50′, but it is a pocket of deeper water than most of the surrounding river.

I’d hit the scour when the sun is out and then nearby shallower areas along a current seam preferably and some cover. Maybe try imagining routes they might migrate along and hit those areas.

I’ll back up BK that current is the key, even more so with the latest conditions. Personally I’d stay away from promising structure in “dead” water. They might be there, but they’ll probably be shut down.

As a newbie, after reading my post I must ask you to read the disclaimer in my signature.

*Wow, I knew cats were hardy, but I can’t believe you caught one with a slit belly!

I’ll show myself out the door.

Welcome Aboard Mate!
Sounds like you guys are applying some good expereince with some quick learning. And finding some nice fish.
thanks
Larry

Ive seen some nice flatheads caught on guinney rods or bank poles in 2 to 3 ft. of water with live bluegills hooked through the eye sockets so they stay alive longer at night too. The guys that fish these spots choose these shallow banks because they are right next to deeper holes that hold the cats during the day and they come in to these shallow areas to feed at night. If anyone has a problem with thier bait dying because of bleeding try hooking them through the eye sockets by pulling the eyes back and putting the hook through the very front of the sockets, they stay alive for days if its done right because they don’t bleed nearly as much. I hook my bluegills this way when im trot lineing and when the catfish takes the bait head first to swollow it they get hooked all most every time with very few misses, run a fine stone over the hooks every couple of days, even new ones to put a razor sharp edge on them too keep the bleeding to a minimum with your bait and for better hookups. All the catfish have to do with a sharp hook is to let it hit the mouth and thier hooked up. Hope this helps