This Friday night I had the pleasure of having Mudshark in the boat for an evening of Cattin’. After an attempt Wednesday night, and a bust catching 6 fish with only one being 8lbs I knew it wasn’t going to be easy finding some willing takers. The water temp has dropped from 82 degrees to 77 in just a few days slowing the bite down for me. It has been so much fun I hate to see it come to an end 
Now for the good news, we were able to coax a few of the biguns’ into biting our cut baits 
We started drifting a clam bed with a zero for results, not a good sign was the thought running through my head. Ever notice when you want to put someone on good fish, the fish know it, and try to make you look like a fool 
The motor was fired up and we made a run 2 miles south, it’s always warmer South right 
The move put a little confidence back in the boat for us when we boated the first nice Channel Cat of the early evening. This Channel Cat came from a depth of 18 feet off a sand bottom behind a small wing dam that gets over looked by a lot of fisherman 
After making a couple more drifts with some short hitters the boat was fired up once again to head a couple more miles to the South and set up for Flatheads. This produced no fish but a relaxing time shootin’ the bull with each other sharing techniques and stories. It is always a good time anchoring up and watching
night time come to life kicking back enjoying a refreshment. This seems to be one of my favorite times of the night even without fish slamming baits. It’s a chance to catch your breath from boat control and good for the mind just taking in the night.
After a good hour it was time to try and find action once again. After heading back North to a series of wing dams we were fishing in no time. Following the channel edge and passing the wing dam tips were key to boating a few more nice sized Channel Cats. We were in a cookie cutter group of 13lb fish saving the night from being a total bust. It was tough however getting hooked up. The Cats were not slamming the baits by any means with there being a lot of short hits. When getting hit, you had to keep dropping the rod tip back at the fish until the line tightened up, and then you were not guaranteed the fish was getting hooked.
It was a tough bite but some dandy’s did get there pictures taken
I had a great time Mudshark, we will have to do it again 
Bret
Great report, Bret. I was out Thursday night on the St Croix and it was a slow bite here also. I picked up one small 21″ flathead at about 9:00pm and one small 21″ channel at 11:00pm. I downsized my hook size to match what you are using and I like the smaller hook better. I was having problems getting snagged up on the bottom using the 5/0 hook and I didn’t have that problem after going to the 1/0 size. Keep your reports coming – I like to compare notes and see how you are doing.
Comparing notes and making things fit your own style is what it is all about
I think you will like the 1/0 wide gap hook. Last night it sure wasn’t the hooks fault for not finding home plate, it was just a tough bite. With the drag just a touch on the light side (as you told me) that size hook holds on just fine when you get buttoned up with a big fish
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
Bret
Channel cat king! You just don’t stop do you! You might have to be careful the channels don’t set up a militia to fight back! They aren’t safe with you on the river! Nice work
Thanks for the report and pics Bret. Your reports are very interesting and the details of what was used to catch the cats for your set up is very educational. Thanks Much for the details you provide on ”how” to catch cats and on what to ”use” to catch them.
Thanks, Bill
As I have mentioned before, they are safe with me. I just want to get a picture of something prety and my ugly mug
They have all been slipped back into the mighty from where they came 
WOW! Another great report Bret. Cat fishermen in the area are lucky to have such a great resource. keep it up, and i can’t wait until we can get out again. Since we went last week i have been catfishing on land almost every night. I think i am slowely getting hooked.
It sure was a BLAST Bret…..beauty of a night,good company,good(no matter how slow)fishing,and good bee….errr..adult beverages and big channels…
)
It just does’nt get any better than that!!
Thanks a bunch again guy
(BTW Bret…FW told me to CALL next the time a stranger keeps me out that late,I told her that your not a stranger
(BTW Bret…FW told me to CALL next the time a stranger keeps me out that late,I told her that your not a stranger
)
Darn them wives
when they gonna let us grow up on our own 
Cool Tony
Sounds like I’m doin’ my job
I will get you out again
Next you will like catching Big Gills, Walleyes or what ever. That is the cool thing about the river, sometin’ is gonna want to eat
You-da-man
Wanted to get out this week for another drift trip but obviously that’s not going to happen. Hope all of your big channels don’t end up in St.Louis Bret 
For the next few weeks we will no doubt be hunting for clean water and start from there. Good luck 
What hooks are you using?
I’m using the 1/0 Daiichi Catfish Wide circle. I like the wide gap better than the octopus style circle hooks.
These hooks are also razor sharp out of the package.
So it is a circle. Cool! I will have to check them out.