Catfishing

[straw hat]

Both of you indicated an interest in catfishing so I tought I would write down a few of my thoughts. I am sure that others will add to this. I usually start catting in late February. During Feb and March I catch most of my channels along the shoulders of channel drops about 10 to 15 ft deep. Areas include Aldrich and Greenfield. Fishing will be slow that time of year. You will need a very sunny warm day, especially if there has been 2 or 3 warm days in a row. Oddly, they seem to prefer live bait during that time (minnows). April is an outstanding month as the cats will follow the old creek channels toward the rivers. The day of or after a warm rain can be fantastic. During rising water focus on any area where the water enters the lake. Many times they are hugging close to this incoming water and are very shallow. River worms seem to work well this time of year. May and June they start their spawn. The rock rip raps and chunk rock banks are the best as catfish nest in cavaties such as under large rocks. River worms continue to be your best bet. After the spawn there is a couple of weeks of transition as the cats begin to head back to deeper water. There summer pattern begins by late June. At night the cats run up on the flats to feed. As sun rises they follow the small ditches and channels back to deeper water. Fishing these small ditches can yeild large stringers once you figure out which ones they use. From 10 AM or so think deep. My rule is 30'. Less if cloudy and deeper if sunny. During the summer any cloudy rainy day can bring them much shallower to feed but they will still be along deep rocky banks. Shad and fresh cut bait work better this time of year but river worms work well if you don't mind the bluegill. Dip baits work very well during the summer, especially Sonny's which can be purchased at BPS. The dip baits can yeild large stringers but they will tend to be smaller fish. Once the water begins to cool (starting in Sept.) the fish can really put on the feed bag until November or early December if the weather doesn't turn too bad. In the main lake focus on deep channels from 25 to 40' deep. Fresh cut bait and minnows/shad work well. They begin to really school up tight during this period so it is critical that if you don't get a bite in 45 minutes-move. Also during the fall the cats that have stayed up in the mouths of the tributaries come down in mass. These are usually smaller fish (less than 3 pounds) but fishing on the bottom in the very middle of the channels can be some of the fastest action you will ever have for cats. Again, shad and fresh cut bait work well. I like to fish the Greenfield and Aldrich area at this time. I hope this answers some of your questions and gives you a place to start.

[James in Springfield]

Hey Thanks, EXCELLENT post. I think I will print this off and put in my binder with other fishing spots and good baits to use.

I use to Catfish Norfork Lake a LOT when I lived in West Plains. My Uncle had a bass boat and we'd just float along listening to the radio and catching cats from sundown to sun-up.

But having moved here I don't know any good spots, and I am not familiar with catfishing from shore. So thanks for all this information. I guess over the next few weeks I'll find time to go fish the rip rap since that seems to be where I'll find the cats. I've also heard that fishing Bass along rip rap is good too, so It'll keep my less patient friends busy.

Again, thanks very much, that is a fantastic little guide for catfishing in this area.

[HYDE]

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!

[Troutn]

Thanks a ton for the helpful info!

[Predator1]

Thanks straw hat....have you ever done well around the Cedar Ridge are at this time?

[straw hat]

Thanks straw hat....have you ever done well around the Cedar Ridge are at this time?

The last limit of cats I caught was last year at this time. It was about half way back in Maze creek along a steep rocky bank. There is usually some decent crappie back there in the trees this time of year. Good luck!!