Newbie to Catfishin

Yo guys, Heading out to Pool2 tonight to search out some kitties. I’ve never TRIED to catch them before, so any pointers as to bait, presentation, location would be awesome- Thanks in advance!

When you say “kitties”, are you talking flats, channel cats or someones 4 legged meower?

Pool 2 is ripping pretty good right now. Lots of really big wood out there. I fish pool 2 a lot and there is way too much lumber for me. yesterday I saw several full sized tree trunks in main channel. Be careful.

Lots of really big wood out there

yep be careful, was on p4 yesterday and lots of crap. I wouldn’t be out after dark even with a spot light.

You’ll be just fine out there with a spotlight just take it slow and u should have no worries. Just anchor up out of the main current and you shouldn’t have any problems. Remember to keep a watchful eye upriver almost constantly and keep a sharp knife by your anchor cleat to cut the rope if disaster plows into you.

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yep be careful, was on p4 yesterday and lots of crap. I wouldn’t be out after dark even with a spot light.

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Amateur hour…

I think mfreeman451 was just trying to make sure I had to Pool to myself…it worked.

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When you say “kitties”, are you talking flats, channel cats or someones 4 legged meower?

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LOL! I was talking the swimming kind, and I could care less if it’s a channel or a flat- Just want something with a little more tug than the panfish I’ve been obsessed with for a year now! Didn’t make it out last week so I’m going to give it a shot tomorrow out of Newport. Will have spotlight and knife handy- Any veterans want to hop in- I’d appreciate the help, gas and bait on me!

You’ll probably want to target channels then if it’s the beginning for you (flats take a bit more hunting and experience to catch reliably.. or you just have to wear dip bait cologne like Brian)

Step one: Pick your bait… Everyone on here probably has a different favorite. This includes:
Cut Suckers
Dip Baits
Nightcrawlers
Shrimp
Chicken liver
So on and so forth (if you lookup channel cat bait, just about anything we eat, or is an organic substance, someone will claim it’s the best)

If you have multiple people I’d suggest each using a different bait until it seems one is drawing them in.

Step 2. Appropriate tackle. Aside from some decent duty line (cant really over kill on this, cats aren’t very line shy, I like 20lb braided myself) you’ll want to make sure you have a sinker rig that allows for stationary bait (heavy enough to keep from drifting on the bottom in the current, 1-2oz in most places) Most people here generally use a slip rig.

Your hooks, if you’re using dip bait, the tubes seem the popular ones here. If you’re using cut, or otherwise, octopus or the G shaped hooks are favorites (I use the G shaped hooks, I don’t ever seem to have to worry about actually setting the hook, just reel in and it does the rest).

Step 3. Patience. As channels are scent hunters, you’re generally not going to smash them within 10 minutes of your first cast (unless you have a “honey hole”, but few here will divulge theirs) Generally the best places to setup are right where the river widens, or the current slows a bit, or just above current breaks.

Set up, and wait.. Some people say if you don’t catch a fish in 30-45 minutes to move… I’ve hung out in the same spot for up to 5 hours before they started biting.. Channels have an extremely good sense of smell (Many hundreds times better than a dogs) and if they are hungry, they’ll travel pretty far up river if they smell something inviting.

If Diablo 3 weren’t coming out tomorrow I might consider coming, har!

That’s an awesome walk through Josh!

Id have to say for a newbie i would stick to FRESH cut suckers hack them into pieces about the size of your thumb. Dont bury the hook catfish are not hook shy, but hook it into the skin of the fillet so it doesn’t go flinging off on the cast. The fish are also not boat shy so long cast are unnecessary with the water level high and current ripping good the more line you have out the more stuff will come into your lines path. The boat sway will become an issue with longer set lines and will hang up on under water debris easier, Hence the shorter cast. Fresh fillets should be re baited every 20 minutes, dont throw the old stuff you just unhooked back into the water and waste it set it aside because if you get into a school of channels and are going thru bait you can reuse the previously soaked pieces. Look for slack water areas adjacent to the fast main channel areas, maybe someplace with access to a back water. Good luck.