The Bite Is On Fire!

[Fat-G]

I've taken about a week and a half break from the bass, and focused on the kitty-cats. Man, I tell you what; Channel cats fight so hard, especially if you have the right rod. It's an absolute blast.

My love for cats started two summers ago when I started working with an awesome catfish guide on the James River. I have learned a lot about not only the catfishing aspect, but also how to carry myself as a man. My boss, Mike, is one of the best guys I have ever known, and we are very dear friends. Last summer, I actually got to do a little solo guiding after we got the insurance and licensing taken care of. Working as a guide on the river taught me an awful lot about catfishing and the environment itself.

My buddy and I have been hitting some exceptional Channel cat ponds just about every night for the past week, and have caught some real nice ones. Biggest one is 8 pounds, but in one of the ponds I know there are 2 over 20, which is a true monster cat. That's like catching a 10 pound bass. If you get a goodo ne, they take 5+ reel screaming runs. Catfishing is incredibly cheap, I'm using an $80 Sahara on a $10 6' M/F Shakespeare spinning rod with 6# CXX, 2/0 circles and no weight, Chicken Liver. It's a nice change-of-pace from the "high intensity" bass fishing, just sitting there waiting for a bite. At night, we're averaging a fish every 10 minutes. Seriously, I like cats as much if not more than bass fishing. And you guys know I love bass.

This is a bad, out of focus picture, but I got the night focusing down now, so the next big one should come out clear.

[Fat-G]

By the way, the bass in the pond this one came out of are incredibly un-healthy, due to the big cats eating all of the gills. The bass have actually resorted to biting the chicken liver as well. It's kind of sad, really, but it is what it is. Every cat is fat as can be, and probably 50% have a gill in their gullet.

Side note - we hit a grand slam the other night, catching a bass, catfish, bluegill, turtle, and racoon all in the same night. That coon was not very amused.

[paul.]

"Side note - we hit a grand slam the other night, catching a bass, catfish, bluegill, turtle, and racoon all in the same night. That coon was not very amused."

you've been on quite a rampage here lately. no aquatic creature is safe. seriously though, you've had a great summer. that's awesome because summer fishing can really be tough sometimes.

[Fat-G]

UPDATE:

Went out again and the bite was slow for about 2 hours...we switched ponds and it was like we flipped a switch. Automatic for 30 straight minutes, a fish on every cast. We would still be out there if the curfew didn't exist. No big ones, biggest was 6, but we did get a good double.

[Mrs. Matstone]

Congrats!

[Fat-G]

Here's another from tonight:

[Big-O]

Ohh Man, that's some rod bendin' - line stretchin' - hand slimin' - pan fryin' good times right there G! WTG and if you drag enough of'em out of there, the bass might have a chance for a better meal

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Fat-G]

Thanks Big-O! The pond that has the healthy catfish/unhealthy bass in it isn't the best bass pond I have. Most of the fish are the same size, three pounds. There really aren't any bigger gals, so I might leave it the way it is and keep it as a fat cat pond!

[Avid Angler FL]

Besides circle hooks, what other kind of hooks do you all use? I like Eagle Claw Kahles, and Mustad Ultrapoint Catfish hooks are pretty good also. Anyone have any tips for me locating cats on a small lake I fish in? I fish from a seawall, and I'm not too sure where the kitties are in that lake. I've got plenty of dough bait and dip bait though!