Southern Cats

My buddy Dave and I have been striper fishing in Arkansas but fishing has slowed dramaticly. When he invited me to hunt cats on his home water I was all in! Pool 27.We had 8 fish in two days with Dave appropriately getting the big dog 55. I had a 48 PB and a 38 that brought the house down. It amazes me how the biggest fish doesn’t always give the best show. The 38 is really my PB favorite fish caught.
This is one trip I will cherish through the years.

Dang those fish have big bellys!

What where you using for tackle and bait?

Dave uses a three way swivel with 12oz weight and a gamagatzu 8/0 circle hook. Cut bait either asian carp or skipjack. If the current is strong He likes to “go with the fish” so you can see the float behind him in the boat. He ties that to anchor line so all we had to do was reel up other lines and go. It is a slick deal. Let’s you run lighter tackle. He still runs 80 lb floro to the gamagatsu 8/0 circle.

Blues are ridiculous! Imagine if we had access to those up north. I know a few of the Illinois cooling lakes have them, but don’t have the time to chase them, and I’m a river man.

Awesome fish!!!