Little Cats (Washington County Lake)

[mic]

I made it out to Washington County Lake Saturday morning. I caught a ton of channels, but only one of keeping size and a few yellow bellies. Ironically, I only caught one munchkin on cut bait, the rest were on dip bait under a bobber. I'm still a lot green for catfishing so I missed quite a few before I figured out a working technique...don't rush reeling in, reel in until there is a little slack, then wait for the fish to tighten the line, and set the hook. Also, completely dumb luck, but the dip bait worms I bought were a kit. After I switched from the trebles that came with the kit to circle hooks I did much better so I pre-rigged up a bunch when I got home. I also bought some Geno Cheese Bait which is a local favorite. I'll give it a try next time.

Finally, thanks for all the advice I've gotten over the last couple of months. The cats won't replace the wild trout fishing, but it is getting me through the heat of summer.

PS... A buddy of mine fished Carlyle Lake on Saturday. He did pretty good, but only in the old river bed. I wonder if there is still enough current there to keep the deeper water oxygenated.

[Stoneroller]

the river bed is just where the fish gravitate towards in that open featurless basin of a lake called carlyle. I have my best luck there fishing topwater for big channel cats out where all the boats run. The shad are schooled up and the boats run through the schools, killing some of the shad and the big cats come up for an easy meal.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Mic it helps to sweep your rod low with circles and don't forget they are made to be swallowed. When you pull them out of the gullet you want the fish heading away so that the hook can catch the corner of the mouth.

An old trick for channels at night is to use tree frogs under a round bobber. Don't weight it, that way the frog can attempt to climb on the bobber and attract the cats.

[mic]

Mic it helps to sweep your rod low with circles and don't forget they are made to be swallowed. When you pull them out of the gullet you want the fish heading away so that the hook can catch the corner of the mouth.

An old trick for channels at night is to use tree frogs under a round bobber. Don't weight it, that way the frog can attempt to climb on the bobber and attract the cats.

I was doing that, but not on purpose. Tree frogs...who would have thought.

[mic]

the river bed is just where the fish gravitate towards in that open featurless basin of a lake called carlyle. I have my best luck there fishing topwater for big channel cats out where all the boats run. The shad are schooled up and the boats run through the schools, killing some of the shad and the big cats come up for an easy meal.

Check out this article. This guy developed a special rig just for what you were saying.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/04/24/experimental-catfish/