One great season

Many of you know I like fish that test my tackle. I set out this year to see if I could win the King of Cats contest. I found favorable conditions most of the year and was only shut out on one trip. This year was one of the best I’ve seen around Madison. I didn’t top my personal best but my average was right around 30 inches a fish and had a 27 fish over 10lbs in one night. I had some good times in my boat fishing with some old friends and some new ones and my 6 year old sons. I was going through the camera with another friend of mine who is an avid catter and he was blown away so I thought I would share. I ended up in 4th place which isn’t bad for a contest that spans the whole midwest. I had much better action on cutbait this year and found a secret weapon XXXshad smelly jelly is the real deal added to my success. I couldn’t buy a decent fish until June hit and then it was dynamite all summer long.

Channel cats are fun to catch when you can tie into big ones. I found some new spots this year that really changed how I fish. Being able to switch up on the fly going with the baits and rigs that worked was key to staying on the bite. I’ve learned to play the wind and have spots to fish when the wind is in any direction. I am open to trip swaps. Our budget is very tight so I am looking to meet some folks and enjoy some new spots. If you like to fish cats, I will guarantee a 10lb plus cat on the Madison Chain if you have a good trade. 4th place in the channel cat division of the King of Cats was good enough to beat Steve Demars which was on my list of things to do.

PS I had to buy a new camera after mudsharks photo due to chronic ugliness breaking the lenses

Very nice and great looking fish Kev!

Love the color they have!

10k acres here on Lake Mendota.

Ryan,I’m also from Madison and got to fish with Kevin once this summer. I’m in the second set of pictures that Kevin posted. Last winter I ice fished for catfish a couple of times on Lake Mendota. My first time out I got a 12 pounder and a 9 pounder. That was so much fun. I’m planning to do it again this winter but more than two times.

My 8 inch auger won’t cut it for these fish.

Very nice Looking Channels.

Jack

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PS I had to buy a new camera after mudsharks photo due to chronic ugliness breaking the lenses

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You needed a new camera anyway ya smart-butt tightwad

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My 8 inch auger won’t cut it for these fish.

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That’s why I bought a 10 1/4″ auger. They fit through that easy.

Congratulations to you, Kevin. The top five finishers in the Channel Cat and Flathead Divisions are named the year’s King of the Cats. The competition is tough and you have to work hard to get there and stay there. My hat is off to you, Kevin. I was chasing you all season but your 166 points is a tough score to beat. You earned your King of the Cat crown. It is really hard to stay in the top five with all the competitors up on the Red River. You posted some big fish. Not only did you earn a King of the Cats crown but you did kick my buttocks.

I can’t wait for next spring. I hope to put some big fish on the board early and let you chase me next year. I’ve got some new trolling tricks up my sleeve that should put some big channel cats in the boat next season.

For those of you that haven’t tried it the King of the Cats contest is a fun time. It is free to enter and entering a fish is easy. You measure length and girth, submit an on-line entry form that includes a photo of the fish with the year’s King of the Cat logo in the picture. They do all the rest. Up to date Leaderboards are always posted on the website and you can see how you are doing against all the competitors. At the end of the year you may earn the crown and bragging rights for the year. If you follow the website postings you get enough good information to stay on top of the bite. At least you know who is catching fish and a good idea where the bite is.

Agreed I can’t wait for next year. I couldn’t believe how many 15-25lb fish between 30-34 inches came to the net. All were released in good health. They should be pushing 35-40 inches next year. I’m thinking there has to be a 45lber here somewhere. My biggest is 27 and some change and I’ve seen a 35 lber caught during the spawn.