Cracking The Channel Catfish Code

Catfish are the nation’s fourth most targeted fish. Yet there has been very little new information about how to catch catfish that’s been published during the past decade. “Cracking the Channel Catfish Code” introduces fresh, in-depth research about river current, water temperature and metabolism. It explores each of these factors and a few others before explaining how to tie all of the information together, season by season, to catch trophy channel catfish. We also introduce “lateral movement” and how to fish cats laterally as conditions change. This book also explores who the 21st Century catfish angler is and how manufacturers and companies have started to cater to the growing number of anglers who love to battle these wonderful fish.

First off, I have to say I haven’t read the whole book yet. Normally I look at the sections that I’m most interested in.

Brad, how long did it take you to compile all this info?

I know I’m looking forward to your thoughts on Barometric Pressure.

Brad’s book can be found at Amazon >Click Here<

First off, Thanks for posting BrianK. The research for this book took me three years. It started in 2010 when I was struggling to stay on fish with the river going up and down 3-5 feet every other week. I needed be able to stay on fish and understand how they were adjusting to the fluctuation. With that I came up with my secondary current theory. Of course I had 10 more questions too

So with that I went to work on water temp and how metabolism affects the bites and of course wanted to figure out the barometer, moon phase, water clarity, and how it played into the seasonal patterns. In the precess I came up with the lateral movement theory which basically says to look at the river bank to bank as well as up and down stream.

I have tested all the patterns in the book and am fine tuning some even after it was published. So much has never been truly researched and written about catfish. The bass and walleye guys have had much written and studied for years while catfish were just viewed as a bottom feeder. They are so much more than have previously been put on. Many old timers know how to catch em in the shifting patterns but don’t know the why. Mix this new research with 21st century gear and electronics and….

Thanks for having me.

The wife and I agreed we would just do stocking stuffers for each other this year, and I think I just found mine, the link has been sent to her.

I would assume this book deals mainly with the River up where you did your research, and with it being such an unusual river in the northern climate, do you think that a lot of the patterns would hold true for other rivers more south?

I wrote the book to be general enough that it could work anywhere on any river. Catfish react to current and water temp the same everywhere. Just up north the temp swings are a little more drastic.

You can order at Amazon or you can order directly from me and I will send you a signed copy. http://www.catfishcode.com

let me just say this is a great book. after having fished with Brad 2 times now and seeing these things put into use first hand I can say they can be applied to other rivers. I plan to apply the info in this book to the section of the Mississippi river that I fish. the key will be to start keeping the detailed records and the rest should fall into place from there.

again the book is worth getting. I highly recommend it.

Thanks Brad,

Old Pete down at the resort on the Mississippi has a few spot that I’ve fished with him at. We don’t get bit… he would move staying in the same location just closer to shore or further out. Exactly what you’re describing in lateral movement.

I’m sure there will be more questions about your book as I get through more chapters.

Sweet,
Book ordered as well as a few other catfish/rough fish books. Will be a good education if i get to the Red river this year.

I’d like to get Brad’s take on why channels in the Red River seem more apt to get to trophy size or why they are more abundant. Since most of the river is even further North than most MN cat waters, you’d think the prime growing season would be shorter.

Forage base? Spawning?

Thanks!

My guess has always been forage and there probably has to be something in the water literally. By that I mean maybe ph levels and such. I would also venture to guess structure on the river. It will be interesting to hear what brad says,since he has a grasp on the waters.

I bet if the horseshoe chain had a stronger current, it would have bigger cats.

I might give this a read myself. However, I’ve seen rank amateurs stick big fish on the Red. Caveat I’ve never been there. I have my own theories and they are usually right. I read a channel cat book that Infisherman put out and it wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on.

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I have my own theories and they are usually right.

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Humble!

So true Kev.

It’s just like heading to P-4 for the first time and hooking into a 10 walleye for a newbie. I will admit there are more 10 pound channels on the Red then 10 pound walleyes on P4.

There’s certain things a person can do on P4 as on the Red or any river for that matter to increase your chances at catching more an larger fish whether it’s walleye or cats…consistently.

Preaching to the choir.

Well here it goes. I have theories as to why Northern fish tend to be bigger than southern fish and why the Red is better yet. First, I am coming to the conclusion that a channel cat has a metabolic life span. In the south it is always running at a higher level while in the north it gets a break for half the year. With that northern fish tend to feed harder when the feeding time is on.

As for the Red River we have a lot of things going for us besides what I just said. First we have a great forage base of walleyes, goldeyes and other stuff, second and I think this is a big deal- We don’t have flatheads! which takes out the predatory element of the smaller channels. Third, we have strict slot regs and very few locals that keep big fish. Fourth the Canadian side of the river is part of lake Winnipeg and that is the best of everything up there. Put in some flooding and migration and you have a great mix of trophy fish with everything they need.

I will be the first to tell you it isn’t always sunshine and tulips catching trophies every day. There are times that conditions are moving so fast that staying on them is difficult and some years entire sections become a wasteland for trophy fish. This is why I wrote the book.

You are right anyone can show up and catch a trophy on the Red but when fishing is good the goal becomes catching lots and with consistency. When fishing is bad and conditions are not favorable it can be as tough as any river anywhere.

Good to have you join us on IDO Brad. I think anyone who wants to get better at finding and catching channel cats should read your book.

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First we have a great forage base of walleyes, goldeyes and other stuff, second and I think this is a big deal- We don’t have flatheads!

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He’s either one of us or like kissing butt!

I’ve often wondered the same thing. I hypothesized that genetics, maybe commercial fishing, and some factors that are specific to the Mississippi that I don’t fully understand are why Mississippi channel cats don’t seem to reach that magic 20lb. mark that often. Personally, I’ve had many, many channel cats come to the boat over the years and TRUE 20 pound fish, not the 16-19 lbs. that people claim are 20’s are a very rare occurrence. Forage? Man there is a lot of food in the River and most of the cats I get are fat and happy. Flatheads? Maybe a contributing factor I’m not sure. BK – Maybe time to get one of your DNR buds opinion on this subject? Interesting for sure.

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people claim are 20’s are a very rare occurrence.

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I’ve just started fishing for channels more over the last five years, but in all the years fishing combined I can count the true 20 or more pounders on two fingers.

Merry Christmas Dirk!

First off only a “walleye snob” thinks that all other levels of the food chain leave them alone so he can catch the famous walleye. BTW Walleye is #7 on the US Fish and Wildlife list of sought after fish while catfish is #4.

While most people think there is a 20# on every hook set on the Red they are harder to come by than that. Many people call it 20 when it is really 18 or 19. I catch dozens of 16-18 pounders but legit fish over 20 not that many in the grand scheme (except for 2 weeks in 2009) everything was 18-27 during that stretch.

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First off only a “walleye snob” thinks that all other levels of the food chain leave them alone so he can catch the famous walleye. BTW Walleye is #7 on the US Fish and Wildlife list of sought after fish while catfish is #4.

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Oh he’s really laying it on thick now!

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First off only a “walleye snob” thinks that all other levels of the food chain leave them alone so he can catch the famous walleye. BTW Walleye is #7 on the US Fish and Wildlife list of sought after fish while catfish is #4.

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Oh he’s really laying it on thick now!

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If you’ve noticed I have fished the red most of my life.
I would say the idea of bait placement is right on.
I fish from the bank and at times cant get the bait where I want, but most of the time can find a way. Yes you can catch large cats but do it each time out. Now that’s something else. If you notice many times in my posts I indicate bait placement. Any way Brads ideas are sound,I have lots of experience on the red and have learned a lot from his information and ideas. And you cant do better then his guided trips and his selective harvest ethnics. He comes highly recommended. There are miles of river that are untouched even from a boat.And the biomass in the river is unbelievable. From what I understand the large cats in the river are 15 -20 years or older. All of this adds up to big fish.

Brad is spot on. The same reason Mendota is loaded. No flatheads to eat the young. The slot is the reason the Red has so many big fish. I’d love to come and try it sometime but it is hard to do a cat trip when I have so many big fish 5 minutes from my ranch.

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Brad is spot on. The same reason Mendota is loaded. No flatheads to eat the young. The slot is the reason the Red has so many big fish. I’d love to come and try it sometime but it is hard to do a cat trip when I have so many big fish 5 minutes from my ranch.

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That is what I said before I drove all the way to Mendota to catch your fish.

Don’t hesitate to shoot me a PM next time you are planning to be in madtown. There is a seasonal approach to Mendota if you use those movements, any night can be a great night. I am curious how well a Red River Rat did on the lake?

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Don’t hesitate to shoot me a PM next time you are planning to be in madtown. There is a seasonal approach to Mendota if you use those movements, any night can be a great night. I am curious how well a Red River Rat did on the lake?

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We fished pre=spawn during the day. I was not the driver but our strategy was to side image shallow weed lines until we found schools of cats then anchor up and cast away. One day we went dock busting which was a blast. Many 12-17 pound cats and one over 20 in our boat while I was there. Many other boats around us caught less fish but a few more big fish. If I can’t get guiding in May I’m heading back that way for sure.

That is one of the best times to come to Madison. I don’t have side imaging which would help a lot on that bite. the post spawn period is my favorite. Nothing but big hungry girls wanting to dance. If you come that same time, look for the river channel as it enters Mendota and drops off to about 30 feet. Those fish you see stacked up like cord wood are all females waiting for the spawn. They are usually very hungry and have been known to fall for draggin jigs with a big old crawler on them.

I want to thank everyone who has bought Cracking the Channel Catfish Code over the past couple years.

I would like to announce my new book Advanced Catfishing Made Easy is now on the market. This takes the technical info from Catfish Code and puts it into a simple and easy to use guide that explains how to look up weather and water trends then match it to the season you are in and pattern the catfish from there. This is the system I use every day while guiding. It is broken down by region and by season so anyone around the country can use it whether a boat or shore angler. I like to explain it as a “pick your own adventure” catfish book.

Available in paperback or kindle

I hope it is ok here moderators. If not please delete.

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Awesome stuff Brad.

I’ll be sure to make you sign my paper copy at some point!

@captainbrad

Few things have made me a better catfisherman, than reading, understanding, and applying “cracking the code”.
Thanks

Only thing wrong with your post Brad is the mug on the cover of the book.

Also available for Kindle (or read it using the Kindle app on apple stuff…). Both of these look like a great read, planning to check them out!
Ended up sharing a link in the C-P-R Catfishing facebook group too. I’ll probably get the Kindle version, I’ll post a review if I do. Now to decide which one to start with!!!