Catfishing with the kids

[Ralda]

I will be bringing the kids to Table Rock State park in 2 weeks (5/28/15) to tent camp. I have a small boat and we like to fish for crappie, bluegill, and especially blue cats. Can anyone give me suggestions on good catfish fishing near the state park campground?

Thanks in advance

[abkeenan]

You're in a good spot there to catch a variety of fish. Crappie will probably not happen in that area as they are hard to come by on Table Rock in general and especially now closing in on summer and higher water temps. If you're with the kids a nightcrawler or cricket with a small split shot to get it down is going to be what you are going to want to be using. You will catch bass, goggle eye, bluegill, catfish and basically anything that swims on them. There are a few islands around the area you are staying and this time of year they ALWAYS seem to hold a bunch of fish of all species. Blue cats are not very common in the dam area but you will catch channel cats and flatheads. Get around those islands and fish all around them in the 15-30 feet range to find where the fish are at and I promise you will catch a bounty. Good luck and have fun. Stay safe as there is a lot of boat traffic around these locations.

[Ralda]

Thank you for the advice and safety warning.

[Champ188]

That advice is as sound as it gets. Good luck to you guys.

[abkeenan]

Another spot that is close to you at the State Park is the spillway by the dam. That point at the end of the dam's riprap all the way around to the buoys at the spillway is a good spot to pick up multiple species. Depth will be the same as I mentioned before somewhere in the 15-35ish foot range.

[Jeremy Rasnick]

Good advice from above. I've never caught a blue cat on table rock and I fish a lot. I don't think they are in table rock. Not natve to white river chain nor have they been stocked. I feel pretty comfy identifying a catfish so if anyone has caught a "blue". Post a pic. I talk to lots of folks that claim to catch the elusive table rock blue, but I chalk it up as a large channel that's not as yellow as it would be in muddier lakes. ?????

[Jeremy Rasnick]

On a positive note minus the blues and crappie you will have a boatload of smallies and kentukies if u drown a crawler,cricket, grub, or Ned rig. Early morning or last 2 hous of evening! Good luck.

[abkeenan]

On a positive note minus the blues and crappie you will have a boatload of smallies and kentukies if u drown a crawler,cricket, grub, or Ned rig. Early morning or last 2 hous of evening! Good luck.

Yep. The earlier the better. Get out there around 530 to 6am if you can as that will be the best bite til and last until about 9 or 10ish typically. You can still catch fish all day with the live bait stuff just won't be as hot on the action as it is early.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Crickets really work on the gills.

This is what I do for cats.

Go to one of those islands and beach your boat.

Throw Doritos in the water on the down wind side until the water is swarming with little gills.

Them sit back and watch the cats come in and feast on the gills.

Drop a super fluke in and hang on.

My kids love doing this.

Pete