Noodling Season!

[Talmadge]

who else is ready to get some big boys this summer? i know i am any one else on the forum an avid noodler? ive already got one pre season bullhead small little guy nothing to flaunt im waiting for those big blues and flaties to go up in those holes in the dog days of summer! ive got a feeling im gunna beat my pb this year cant wait!

[outdoorsman110]

I am!! I do it every spawn season on the Potomac!!

[Talmadge]

I am!! I do it every spawn season on the Potomac!!

all right! glad to see some one shares the addiction whats your pb your planning on shattering this season?

[outdoorsman110]

all right! glad to see some one shares the addiction whats your pb your planning on shattering this season?

Last year I got my PB in Dogue Creek, 9lb Flathead. Looking to break 10 this year.

[Talmadge]

Last year I got my PB in Dogue Creek, 9lb Flathead. Looking to break 10 this year.

nice! yeah my biggest flat head was only like 10-15 my blue on the other hand was a 30 pound monster for me its a monster anyways i think this year i might break it dont know if im quite ready for a 40+ pound cat yet but we shall see! do you keep your fish or release them? i usually release all mine i really need to get a waterproof camera so i can start taking pictures of them i only get pictures if its from a hole if front of the house or if we keep it

[North Ga Hillbilly]

You guys have some serious walnuts. Every second of it I would be envisioning the 20# snapper waiting to take my fingers off like vienna sausages.

NGaHB

[Talmadge]

You guys have some serious walnuts. Every second of it I would be envisioning the 20# snapper waiting to take my fingers off like vienna sausages.

NGaHB

HAHAHA yeah the snapper in my avatar weighed in at 40 pounds he was caught right in front of one of the holes i hit most often its scary to think of that but ive never had a run in with one yet and if i do then i carry a knife with me all the time either to "convince" the turtle to let go or if need be cut off whatever is stuck hahaha gotta do what you gotta do i know a few people missing multiple fingers from them

[outdoorsman110]

You guys have some serious walnuts. Every second of it I would be envisioning the 20# snapper waiting to take my fingers off like vienna sausages.

NGaHB

Haha I'm more worried about Cotton Mouths.

[Talmadge]

Haha I'm more worried about Cotton Mouths.

yeah those SUCK! trust me

[eyedabassman]

You people are not wright!LOL

[Talmadge]

You people are not wright!LOL

HAHAHA ive heard that one before! come on down here and get you some! i know all the best holes

[Jigs 4 Pigs]

I've watched a few vids on youtube of people noodling for snapping turtles, talk about walnuts!

[eyedabassman]

HAHAHA ive heard that one before! come on down here and get you some! i know all the best holes

Thanks but,no thanks! With my luck I would grab a snake or a big turtle and never get my arm back!

[Talmadge]

I've watched a few vids on youtube of people noodling for snapping turtles, talk about walnuts!

noodling FOR snapping turtles?! yeah now that i wouldnt do i try and avoid those guys as much as possible ill stick to the catfish thank you very much haha

[Talmadge]

Thanks but,no thanks! With my luck I would grab a snake or a big turtle and never get my arm back!

haha yeah those snakes are no joke and luckily i havent had to deal with a turtle yet!

[Bluebasser86]

My grandpa used to noodle for snapping turtles. He'd walk in the water up to about chest deep poking with a stick and feeling with his feet. When he'd find one buried in the mud he'd stand on it and feel around with the stick until he felt the "tap tap" of the snapper's head biting the stick. Then he'd go under and grab the tail and haul him out. Haven't done it for years but I'd be up for going again if there wasn't a special permit and limited areas we could do it here.

As far as what to worry about, snappers and snakes are bad but beavers are way worse! Regular snappers probably won't take a finger off, it would hurt like crazy though. A big beaver around here is upwards of 60-70 pounds and will remove your fingers real quick, just like the twigs they chew up all the time.

[RyneB]

you guys are nuts. The only way im sticking my hand in a hole in the water is if i come out with a bag of money or a new Ranger. Thats hard core.

[Bassn Blvd]

My grandpa used to noodle for snapping turtles. He'd walk in the water up to about chest deep poking with a stick and feeling with his feet. When he'd find one buried in the mud he'd stand on it and feel around with the stick until he felt the "tap tap" of the snapper's head biting the stick. Then he'd go under and grab the tail and haul him out. Haven't done it for years but I'd be up for going again if there wasn't a special permit and limited areas we could do it here.

As far as what to worry about, snappers and snakes are bad but beavers are way worse! Regular snappers probably won't take a finger off, it would hurt like crazy though. A big beaver around here is upwards of 60-70 pounds and will remove your fingers real quick, just like the twigs they chew up all the time.

Mary Jane?

[Bassn Blvd]

I think you two knuckleheads have noodles for brains. BUT, I like your enthusiasm and courage (or stupidity). HAHA

[clayton86]

How do you know your not grabbing a snapper? when your hand comes back missing a few digits? I would try it if i KNEW 100% with out a doubt its catfish other then that hell no ill stick to my poles and hooks and have eyes on before I go sticking my hand in the mud after something. We have small cats up here but some gigantic turtles that arnt no joke I seen one break a baseball bat like it was a toothpick the guy was just trying to get it out of the road it was easy 3foot long head to tail and about the size of a man hole cover.

[Bluebasser86]

How do you know your not grabbing a snapper? when your hand comes back missing a few digits? I would try it if i KNEW 100% with out a doubt its catfish other then that hell no ill stick to my poles and hooks and have eyes on before I go sticking my hand in the mud after something. We have small cats up here but some gigantic turtles that arnt no joke I seen one break a baseball bat like it was a toothpick the guy was just trying to get it out of the road it was easy 3foot long head to tail and about the size of a man hole cover.

That's why you put your foot in the hole first. Pretty easy to tell the difference between a snapper biting your foot and a catfish. As long as you have good shoes it won't be much more than quick pressure and most times it's just a quick tap and they won't even get a hold of your foot. Some guys do the same thing with sticks but I've always used my foot. Always a good idea to watch a hole you're going to noodle for about an hour or so to watch for big turtles. Sounds like you might be dealing with alligator snappers. We just have common snappers around here that are huge if they get up to 40lbs, most are between 5 and 20 it seems though. They'll put a hurting on you and maybe take a chunk of skin, but aren't going to take your finger off. There's some good videos on youtube of people getting bit by snappers, haven't seen one yet of someone losing a finger.

[flippin Dan]

Just a heads up for you guys but at the boat ramp yesterday a couple guys there had a 38 lb'er they noodled. It is time to start checking holes it sounds like. In se Oklahoma it is getting there anyway.

[Talmadge]

My grandpa used to noodle for snapping turtles. He'd walk in the water up to about chest deep poking with a stick and feeling with his feet. When he'd find one buried in the mud he'd stand on it and feel around with the stick until he felt the "tap tap" of the snapper's head biting the stick. Then he'd go under and grab the tail and haul him out. Haven't done it for years but I'd be up for going again if there wasn't a special permit and limited areas we could do it here.

As far as what to worry about, snappers and snakes are bad but beavers are way worse! Regular snappers probably won't take a finger off, it would hurt like crazy though. A big beaver around here is upwards of 60-70 pounds and will remove your fingers real quick, just like the twigs they chew up all the time.

now that is crazy! but it does sound like fun might have to try noodling me some turtles and yeah we got some beavers up here too but my 12 gauge usually takes care of those pesky critters they chew up the boat docks also pain in the ass! i would not want to find one of them down there

[Talmadge]

I think you two knuckleheads have noodles for brains. BUT, I like your enthusiasm and courage (or stupidity). HAHA

thank you very much haha i do it because i love it, its just something else entirely

[Talmadge]

Just a heads up for you guys but at the boat ramp yesterday a couple guys there had a 38 lb'er they noodled. It is time to start checking holes it sounds like. In se Oklahoma it is getting there anyway.

HELL YEAH thats what i like to hear in a couple months ill be posting up what i got boys lets do this! im gunna get me a 40 pounder this year!