what do you look for when fishing for cats?

i am just wondering since i am new to cat fishing what do the cats like for the bottom of the lake? do you fish where trees are down just anything that might help me locate cats faster and easier.

Thanks,
Chris

I typically look for a green Lund with a Merc on the back….

Anyone know of a good place to have a boat repainted?

fishermen22,

Since you mentioned LAKE and not River, I’m guessing you’re talking about your area. WhiskerKev is the top notch lake guy for the Madison area. It might pay to send him a pm asking him what he targets. The average channel cat in Monomin is HUGE.

When I’ve been over that way, I’ve had good luck around the bridges.

PS I’ve never targeted flats over that way.

and it would be channel with a chance of flatheads

What a hanging cureball…Ok I’ll hit it. My brain.

A lake, anywhere I think there might be a current or a travel route the fish may take. Then I look for shade areas on a lake with deeper water adjacent to it.

Depends on what kind of water you have on the lake. Clear water I fish weeds both the inside edges and outside edges and any place there are gaps the fish use them like deer trails. Boat position is everything. You want the wind or the current to move your baits over emerging weeds. lit up slip bobbers are deadly near weeds. Set your depth so the bait can drift just over the weeds. I rarely fish more than 4 feet below the bobber. The females are probably still spawning up north. They are likely done here. Prime time for big females is the weeks after the spawn when the males stay on the beds the females go a chewin. Dark water is harder but you can get more fish during the day. I go evenings and after dark for the rest of the summer. Catfish in lakes love weed beds on main lake structures and points. If the wind has been blowing for a few days fish the shores that have had the wind blowing on them. Wind sucks. You want flat conditions. You can also use electronics and find suspendd fish near old channels and drift them but I’ve never been able to get that going very well here. Fish can get fat in big lakes. Go medium heavy or go home crying.