Pressured Cats?

Hello everyone, I have a question about putting pressure on good cat holes. I don’t get to get out too much, but when I do, experience has shown more often than not that the fish tend to get smaller throughout the night. What if I fish a spot three nights in a row? Is that too much pressure on a spot? How long should I wait to fish a spot after pulling a big one or does it even matter? Thanks in advance!
Mike T.

Hi Mike – I don’t claim to be an expert but most of us fishing cats are catch and release guys, especially on the big fish. I am not sure our fishing has that much of a predation impact on the fish population. With the high water I think they are still moving around some, so if you find a good spot and practice catch and release, I would expect your spots to continue to produce.

I kind of like the adventure of finding a new spot each night when I go. If you have a boat..and can run the river pretty good, find 5 or 6 spots that you really like and just rotate them. Keeps things interesting.

Matt

I know that me and my one of my cattin buds (dirk) have our very favorite flathead spots… but I tell ya there is no better satisfaction than catching a nice flathead in a new spot…. or finding a new spot that you have never fished… each year at least on the mighty miss.. there is a new hole or snag that the old lady made… ya just got to find her….

I completely agree with you about new spots. The spot I am concerned about is a new spot this year. Our first try on it produced a 45.5 pounder. That is why I am asking the question about when is it time to call it a night on a spot and how much time should you give it a rest or does it matter at all?

When to move when your flathead fishing is a good question that I still ask myself every time out. Super holes can take three nights of pressure. If I catch 7 fish from a spot in one night I don’t have a problem fishing it again the next night. You may see a decrease in your catch rate but they will still produce. Keep on fishing it though and the fish in the area will wise up. Best to move on then. I try not to fish the same spots over and over too much and if the fishing gets poor then I’ll let the area recharge for a week, maybe more??? Try to remember what the current and river levels are like when your spot produces the best becuse my guess is that when the water levels change the fishing in the hole may also change. Me and Mike have our high water spots, our normal flow spots and low water spots. They aint all good all the time.

well put dirk…. water level and current flow play apart more than anything else… and pre- post spawn a little