Catfish – Hudson

I’ve got a vague idea of how to catch catfish, but Hudson is a mystery to me. I went out about six times throughout the summer last year and didn’t catch anything with whiskers.

I use cutbait, live bait, dip bait, and the occasional crawler. From a boat, we’ve covered a lot of water… various points, the power plant, swing bridge, the end of the dike including both sides of the islands, and south of the 94 bridge. I’ve also bank-fished a lot from the dam, but we have a boat now.

Has anyone had similar experiences, or can you offer any advice? I prefer to land at Somerset Landing, but Hudson is only 10 minutes and not 45. I’d like to be able to go out and catch a worthwhile channel cat every once in a while.

-Mike

Jeff Jerry is the person you need to ask, I believe he has a couple pretty good cat spots. His secret is to use crank baits meant for walleye.

A friend in my boat caught a dandy channel cat down in Afton. I caught a 30 lb plus flattie down by the Kinni with Turk. Both by accident while fishing for walleye. There are times in the summer you can’t keep the channels off your hook in the main channel. That’s about the extent of my cat fishing knowledge

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Jeff Jerry is the person you need to ask, I believe he has a couple pretty good cat spots. His secret is to use crank baits meant for walleye.

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Or steve D. He ives on the river there pretty much

I have run into some solid channels in that area while fishing sturgeon. Mind you, these were in 30 FOW and it was September, so your results may vary..

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I’ve got a vague idea of how to catch catfish, but Hudson is a mystery to me. I went out about six times throughout the summer last year and didn’t catch anything with whiskers.

I use cutbait, live bait, dip bait, and the occasional crawler. From a boat, we’ve covered a lot of water… various points, the power plant, swing bridge, the end of the dike including both sides of the islands, and south of the 94 bridge. I’ve also bank-fished a lot from the dam, but we have a boat now.

Has anyone had similar experiences, or can you offer any advice? I prefer to land at Somerset Landing, but Hudson is only 10 minutes and not 45. I’d like to be able to go out and catch a worthwhile channel cat every once in a while.

-Mike

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Mike – Fishing the big water can be a challenge. The biggest thing is that you need to adjust tactics from the traditional anchor up and soak baits technique. I do a lot of drifting and trolling and that can put you on fish. The Hudson / Bayport area has some good cat fishing so you are in the right place – you just need to refine your tactics and put in some time to develop confidence in your techniques.

I would be glad to take you out and show you how I fish the big water. It is not rocket science but it is a significant departure from some of the more traditional anchored up techniques. I slow troll and drift cut bait using several basic set-ups. I will have my pontoon in the water this weekend and will start seriously chasing cats this weekend. It is still a bit early but I can’t wait any longer so I plan on getting after them as soon as I can. If you are interested in going out just let me know and you are welcome along anytime. I will send you a PM with my contact information so you can just give me a call if you are interested.

Steve

that’s a nice offer from the “catfish king” himself, a little drifting and listening to the Twins sounds like a nice time

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that’s a nice offer from the “catfish king” himself, a little drifting and listening to the Twins sounds like a nice time

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I couldn’t have said it better myself.

-Mike

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I’ve got a vague idea of how to catch catfish, but Hudson is a mystery to me. I went out about six times throughout the summer last year and didn’t catch anything with whiskers.

I use cutbait, live bait, dip bait, and the occasional crawler. From a boat, we’ve covered a lot of water… various points, the power plant, swing bridge, the end of the dike including both sides of the islands, and south of the 94 bridge. I’ve also bank-fished a lot from the dam, but we have a boat now.

Has anyone had similar experiences, or can you offer any advice? I prefer to land at Somerset Landing, but Hudson is only 10 minutes and not 45. I’d like to be able to go out and catch a worthwhile channel cat every once in a while.

-Mike

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Mike – Fishing the big water can be a challenge. The biggest thing is that you need to adjust tactics from the traditional anchor up and soak baits technique. I do a lot of drifting and trolling and that can put you on fish. The Hudson / Bayport area has some good cat fishing so you are in the right place – you just need to refine your tactics and put in some time to develop confidence in your techniques.

I would be glad to take you out and show you how I fish the big water. It is not rocket science but it is a significant departure from some of the more traditional anchored up techniques. I slow troll and drift cut bait using several basic set-ups. I will have my pontoon in the water this weekend and will start seriously chasing cats this weekend. It is still a bit early but I can’t wait any longer so I plan on getting after them as soon as I can. If you are interested in going out just let me know and you are welcome along anytime. I will send you a PM with my contact information so you can just give me a call if you are interested.

Steve

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You’d be crazy not to take Steve up on this. He’ll forget more in his lifetime about catfishing than most people will ever learn. Comfy boat and a wealth of knowledge.

…and on top of all that…he’s a good guy.

Already talked to him, and it is a go. Tonight I’m targeting up-river though, seeing as water is rising and I won’t be able to get my boat out of Somerset Landing later in the summer.

-Mike