Target Is Big Catfish

[Kylekcmo]

I am headed to the Ozarks for the weekend. I have fish in the freezer so only going after the big Cats this weekend. Last summer my PB was a 45lb Flat. I am wanting to top the 50 lb mark this year. Last trip our best was a 36" blue. My question is if you were after the big ones this time of year what would be your strategy? Also I am on the Osage arm at the 48mm.

[fishinwrench]

I believe I'd spend some more time at the place where you caught the 36" blue.

8-12' Flats just off the main channel are what I keep hearing about from the dedicated catmen.

[Kylekcmo]

Caught the blue off the dock. It is the biggest cat we have caught off the dock ever. Just started using a Santee rig and have had a lot of luck with it. Our dock is in a bit from the main channel but we are the closest dock in the cove to the channel. The end of our dock is about 15' and middle cove towards the channel is about 20-25'. I do have a pontoon and the big flat last year was caught drifting in about 35' early fall. Just wasn't sure if the big boys would be mainly in the deep or most likely to be a little more shallow this time of year?

[conorsixtakc]

Caught the blue off the dock. It is the biggest cat we have caught off the dock ever. Just started using a Santee rig and have had a lot of luck with it. Our dock is in a bit from the main channel but we are the closest dock in the cove to the channel. The end of our dock is about 15' and middle cove towards the channel is about 20-25'. I do have a pontoon and the big flat last year was caught drifting in about 35' early fall. Just wasn't sure if the big boys would be mainly in the deep or most likely to be a little more shallow this time of year?

I haven't been down nearly enough so far this Summer, so I'll speak from my experience over Memorial Day weekend. I caught a 25# blue on rod and reel from the dock on a big mid-section of a cut bluegill. I believe it was a female getting ready to spawn. Also lost what felt like an even bigger one that went for a smaller live green sunfish from the same spot where I caught a 22# flat last Summer. Lower quantities of fish, but bigger bites. All on rod and reel, standard carolina rigged on the bottom, just casting out from the dock trying to get into the creek channel drop. Probably 20-25 FOW.

Probably also worth mentioning that I'm at 7mm. May or may not change things as they apply to your neck of the woods. Let us know how you do, good luck!

[Old plug]

Well of you got a pontoon and depth finder another way is to find deep ridges(30 ft) drop bait or whatever down on them. I would try to use fresh shad for bait. If not that catch some of the sunfish around the dock and and keep them alive and use them. I have caught a lot of catfish over 15 using spoons. But that is a entirely different story. Its more like hunting than you average catfish outing. And you can expect it not to always work.

[Kylekcmo]

I haven't been down nearly enough so far this Summer, so I'll speak from my experience over Memorial Day weekend. I caught a 25# blue on rod and reel from the dock on a big mid-section of a cut bluegill. I believe it was a female getting ready to spawn. Also lost what felt like an even bigger one that went for a smaller live green sunfish from the same spot where I caught a 22# flat last Summer. Lower quantities of fish, but bigger bites. All on rod and reel, standard carolina rigged on the bottom, just casting out from the dock trying to get into the creek channel drop. Probably 20-25 FOW.

Probably worth mentioning that I'm at 7mm. May or may not change things as they apply to your neck of the woods. Let us know how you do, good luck!

Thanks for the info. All I fish now is rod & reel. I made and ran a portable trot line last summer but I just don't eat enough catfish to mess with it. Also is way more fun to reel them in. Haven't been out of catfish in over a year so scrapped the trotline. Sounds like from both our memorial day trips that off the dock may have a good chance at hooking into a big fish. Hell as long as I have some hooks in the water and a beer in my hand I will be happy either way.

[Kylekcmo]

Well of you got a pontoon and depth finder another way is to find deep ridges(30 ft) drop bait or whatever down on them. I would try to use fresh shad for bait. If not that catch some of the sunfish around the dock and and keep them alive and use them. I have caught a lot of catfish over 15 using spoons. But that is a entirely different story. Its more like hunting than you average catfish outing. And you can expect it not to always work.

My depth finder is older than I am. lol I haven't had anyluck finding fresh shad yet this year but can catch all the perch I need most the time. I tend to cut the tails off and split the gut when drifting during the day. Figured live they would swim and tangle all my lines hanging off the side of the boat? I have poles holders I put all the way down one side of the pontoon and put that side into the wind and let it push me across the lake. Most times 6-8 poles off the side.

[Kylekcmo]

For the record I drop the weight to the bottom with a santee rig to keep my bait 1' to 1 1/2' off the bottom and let the weight drag. Sound good or any suggestions? I have had luck just mainly wondering or asking what everyone prefers.

[DADAKOTA]

Saw some folks catchin jug fish in Blue Cat cove a few weeks back

[conorsixtakc]

Saw some folks catchin jug fish in Blue Cat cove a few weeks back

Hell as long as I have some hooks in the water and a beer in my hand I will be happy either way.

Never heard of blue cat cove... sounds promising. My formula for success which I've no reason to change is as follows:

1. Fill cooler with ice and beer

2. Catch bream

3. Hook and cast out bream

4. Drink beer

5. Catch catfish

6. Repeat steps 4-5

7. Avoid operating heavy machinery after step 4