Small rivers and streams rise and fall much quicker than the Mississippi. The ones I fish have been low for quite some time – unlike the Miss, which has remained frustratingly high.

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.

I use cut sucker and chub almost exclusively because in my experience it puts the highest number of cats in the boat. I know some have used cut bullies but I don’t. You got my curiosity up a bit with your comment on your access to “small” bullies. You may want to bring some with you, they may work.

Channels will hit a bully occasionally, but I wouldn’t use them if you are fishing channel cats. In my opinion you will be missing out on 95% of the channels you would have caught if you were using cut bait, small live bait, shrimp, stink bait,etc. When a channel does hit a bully it’s usually a nice one though.

We released the fish with the tag still on the fish. Here is what the DNR Fisheries Specialist said about the fish:

On 9/16/10 that fish was 14.9 inches long. I didn’t take a weight on that fish, but Pool 2 channel cats that length are typically about 1.1 lbs. We captured that fish with our electrofishing boat and was one of 54 catfish we tagged that day. We have been removing pectoral spines from a sub-sample of catfish for aging, but we didn’t age this particular fish. Based on our other fish from Pool 2, that fish would have been 5-7 years old in 2010, so it was around 8-11 years old when you caught it this year.

I would have thought that fish was maybe 4-5 years old! Interesting…

Here is an old Doug Stange/In-Fisherman recipe. Again, I don’t sour my bait this much…

http://archives.in-fisherman.com/content/sourbait-catfish

Ditto on BK’s comments. If you want to go a step further you can “sour” your sucker for early spring channels. There have been plenty of days when it has out produced fresh sucker for me. I like slightly soured sucker vs. real sour bait because really sour bait smells so dang bad. Just cut up your sucker and keep it in your fridge for a week or until your wife starts to say “what the %^&* smells so bad in the fridge”. You can keep it outside in warmer weather also to sour it quicker but I prefer to annoy my wife….

Thanks for the info. I guess I didnt realize there were two seperate tranducers. Still not sure if i can dish out that much coin for side scan, I may have to do with just down scan….I’ve got a couple moths to think about it.

How does the rod compare weight wise to one of the St. Croix cat rods (discontinued) or musky rods of comparable length/power?

I actually plan on getting out this summer more than just a few times. Kids are getting older, one off to college next year. Should mean some more free time….hopefully.

First off, Brian K. is only theorizing on any bullhead over 7 inches long as he just spent 6 years making a 7.1 incher legal this season . Any size will work. IMO anything under 5 inches is too small but there are guys who think smaller ones are great. I like 6.5-8 inches the best but I will definitely be soaking some 10 inchers this year. Current makes a difference. Large bullys in big current are kind off a pain. Go for smaller ones if the current is ripping.

I use a toothbrush and CLR, rinse, and repeat process. I never get it all but it’s good. Mount it in an easy to access spot.

I agree though about the Oxygenator. Used alone you will be very disappointed because it does not agitate the water enough. Anything but bullheads will die in warm water. Used in conjunction with an aerator that does agitate the water and your bait will be so lively you will have a hard time holding on to it.

Man……..was that ever fast….

North American Fisherman and In-Fisherman have both done some features on daytime flatheading in their mags. If you’re so inclined to look up back issues within the past 4-5 years you may get some more info. The Wassink brothers from Iowa and a guy that fishes the MN somewhere were featured – I think.

Dang!! You’re gonna have to get a bigger cat boat…

Quote:

---

move to wisconsin Dirk! How are those little girls doing? not so little anymore?

---

You got that right. A freshman and a 6th grader. How about you? Going for a third? Fourth? It’s been a long time…

Lots of good cat guys like the smaller bullheads. Not me. My preferred size – back when I could use them – was about 7-8 inches. 4-6 inchers caught fewer fish in my boat. Why? I have no idea.

There are lots of other reasons why the rule should be changed but I guess we’ve talked about them over and over. I just wish it would get done with so we can get on with changing the one line on rivers law for you poor MN river guys

I think we’re going on three years now. Not sure if the glass is half empty or half full. If they put it in the book they have to be trying to get it through (I’m going for half full ).

I think Catdad gave me that advise years back and I’ve been supporting the big guys like that ever since – its just better for the fish. A couple more tips – have your camera ready and get the photos done quickly. I’ve seen many shots of flatheads with their tails hanging straight down and there slime coat dried up. Both are indicators that the fish has been out of the water way too long. A fresh flathead will almost always curl its tail nicely for your photo. A pooped out flathead will almost always hang its tail straight. Pics of flats with their slime fresh and shiny also look much better than with a dull, dry slime coat. Keep a small bucket handy and pour some water over them while they’re in the boat if needed, but if you get things done fast thats usually not needed.

Nice fish Flathead. Just goes to show you what a good pic will do. You could have said that fish was 57 lbs. and and I would not have questioned you one bit.

The reponse from the DNR:

“This is not the bullhead portion yet. This is for night bowfishing and other
changes. The bullhead one is at least another month out due to the fact that we had
to get legislative changes.”

We’re still in the game….

It went out to people who requested to be on the Notice of Intent to Adopt…

I just got my copy and have skimmed it. I don’t see any direct mention of bullheads either.

It does say that “a copy of PORTIONS of the intent to adopt notice and rule language that will appear in the May7, 2007 edition of the State Reieter is enclosed (in the cover letter).

On page three there is a mention of “Establishing or clarifying fish use, fish possession, shipping, and transportation requirements…..

I’m not sure what to think. Either Brian K or myself will send off an e-mail to see where we’re at.

Here goes the blood pressure again

Man….lots of work for a small change eh? Keep the faith boys!!!!

Will the mini muffin pan sized pieces fit inside a 10 lb Lee Production Pot? Sometimes, because of the valve rod, hunks of lead don’t get down into the pot far enough to melt quickly. That’s why I was thinking strips/straps. You can shove them way down in the lead thats already melted for quick melting.

Needless to say If I were an out of state angler thinking about fishing the WI/MN border waters I know which states license I would not buy….and stay at Evertts so you don’t cross over a border and cause yourself a bunch more headaches

News Flash

We are still in. Check out page 5 of the manual. It states that they are considering the use of larger bullheads for bait in certain parts ot the state!!!!!!

The DNR replied to my message about the rule change on 12-12-06. They stated they “hoped to get something done by next year”. I assumed that to mean the fishing year 2007. If that is what they meant I would guess that they wouldn’t be able to get it in the 2007 regs in time for printing. They still haven’t sent out the Request to Adopt Notice nor have they sent me anything else. I’m assuming Brian hasn’t got anything either? I guess we need to clarify what they mean by getting something done by “next year”. Anyway you look at it though, this isn’t good news. It’s difficult to tell whether they think they can lull us to sleep and then not pass this rule change or if they are being straight with us.

We’ll definately get out. Best to plan it a little in advance as I’m sure both of us are busy these days. I’m getting the photo bug a bit. It would be great to get some pics of you and Jr. with some spring time kitties.

Remember that guy we took out in your John about five years ago? You forgot to put the plug in the boat and almost sank it before we figured out it wasn’t just another leak!! Then he had a chaw of tabac’r – got a little green – and puked over the side. We said he was chumming! I do believe we may have even caught a channel right after that episode . I haven’t thought about that stuff in a looong time. I’ll send you some pics of the kids at the email in your profile. Later.