The bite is still hot and the night time air is much more enjoyable to fish in. The hot days have the Channel Cats still on the prowl along the channel edge hanging in what current can be found. I had the pleasure of sharing my boat with an upcoming bass star, Tony (basshundter) who now has a personal best Channel Cat at 13lbs. The bite was on as soon as we started the first drift with cut bait at 6:30pm. I had some nice day time pictures but managed to delete them playing with my new camera, not a good feeling 
We still managed a camera full of pictures thanks to the cooperation of the Cats 
Before sunset a run was made south to set up on a snag for Flatheads which turned out to be a recall of the last few times consisting of a slam, run, good fish on only to come unbuttoned. Just enough action to jump start a couple hearts and let Tony feel what it is like to have a Big Game rod doubled over 
After a while of filling Tony’s ear with old man talk it wasn’t a hard decision to make, lets get back on the Channel Cats and play tug of war 
The second area we were working was holding just a little nicer class of fish from 9 -13lbs. It was fun watching Tony standing boat side with his Bass rod pointed straight down to the water and him hanging on tight. There was even a commit made from the Bass dude about a little burn happening in the forearm!
The technique is not rocket science and a fun way to cover water. It can also produce a bone shaking slam of a bite.
This fish Tony caught must have been some a scrapper. He was banged up from head to tail but still put on a good show when hooked.
Incase you missed it before the set up is nothing more than a 24inch mono leader armed with a 1/0 Daiichi Catfish Wide circle hook tied to a 1/0 Barrel swivel then attached to a 1/0 Snap swivel which is tied to the main line (20lb Power Pro), No sinker making the rig almost snag free. Targeted areas have been outside bends in the river with a defined channel edge at 15fow dropping to 20+fow and wing dams all accompanied by some flow. Drift the channel edge working the edge back a forth. You will also find Channel cats on the clam beds in 11-13fow.
It was a great night on the water being the old dog trying to teach a young man some new tricks. I had a blast Tony, we will do it again 
Bret
One more of Tony with a nice Channel Cat.
Great job using the circle hooks Tony.
Thanks for letting me catch a few
Bret…you single handedly made me go in and have my trolling motor looked at. It hasn’t worked all year.
It’s hard to drift with a 90hp.
PS Nice job on trying to save a young fella from the horrible….”bass trap”!
Thanks for everything, and I hope we can get out again soon.
Thanks Brian, just doing my part to try and get these young men started off on the right foot
Thought I would share a PM I received incase there is anyone with the same questions. PM’s are a great way to get info and share ideas behind the scene. Only one great reason to be able to log on as a IDA member
This should be putting a boogie in everyone’s butt’s. It is a fun way to catch some good size fish. Even with the boat traffic I have been bobbing around in my 14’ floater staying in 13-20+fow day and night on the main channel. People slow down when they see someone with a fishing pole doubled over and doing the big fish on dance in a boat
Just keep alert and your eyes open while drifting the main channel.
I have been using cut gills, mooneye and sucker, they do not seem to have a preference right now. My cuts are filets 1-2 inches wide and 3-5 inches long.
I am also fishing with my walleye gear, you can use heavier tackle but I am in it just for the fight. I think everyone that has been out with me this year will agree the medium spinning gear makes it a lot of fun when tying into one of these glued to the bottom raging bulls
I have been keeping on course using my electric trolling motor. Last night was a bit of a challenge with the wind trying to push us up river at times but we stayed on fish.
And lastly, there has not been a cat kept in my boat this year
We have caught a few that would be good eating size but elected to flip them back to where they came from. I would think if anyone is looking for a cat fish fry, you will be better off finding yourself some fish under 4lbs. If you are thinking about smoking one I would stay under 8lbs.
Hope this information was beneficial.
That is awesome! In the next month, I plan on getting my fill of channels down here in NE too. I got the blood ready, now I gotta go get some shad. Good job, guys!
Great read Bret!! Awesome report!!
Another great report and successful night on the river for you guys Buddy Bret.
You sure got em dialed in. 
Thanks for sharing the great information. 
I’m going to have to give that a try with the young man I took out fishing for the first time last week. Wow what a rush that would be for him to go from his first time fishing catching gills and sheephead to some channel cats.
Great job bud….You’ve really been on a roll lately have’nt you..
……
As far as the eaters go ,I find that the fiddler cats(2 1/2 to 3 1/2 lbs- my personal favorite eat’n size) seem to school together making it easy to grab enough fer a fish fry when you find them…and fish THAT size have been fairly easy to find this year, for me,mostly been fishing from shore….
Some day (or should I say some night) Bret….we’ll have to gtg
Tony,
That’s really cool. Congrats, those are some pigs!
Bret, great job on your continued success putting people on personal bests! I’ve caught a few of those flipping jigs and even swimming jigs for bass once in a while, and they fight like mad, so I can’t imagine one that size!
VERY nice report and pics Bret. Thanks. Sounds like you are having a blast catchin those gals.
Now I know why Wats wanted a jon boat so its easier to cash in on the cat fishing along with just about any other fish to chase after too. You guys have a very nice are to go fishing in from what I’m seeing from these reports. 
Thanks, Bill
Nice report Brett. Catching those on medium action spinning tackle? Yowza, that must be a hoot.