Post By: kittyfisher Posted: 7/29/2012 9:13:58 AM Points: 107
Been out to Chatfield res and gravel ponds now 10 times and havent caught a thing. Have been targeting cats with every bait I could think of but still nothing. Not lookin for a state record , just a bite on the line. Any advice?
Reply by: cerd Posted: 7/29/2012 9:34:27 AM Points: 548
Man I don't know what to say - I've only caught one ever in probably 30-40 times using my channel cat favorite that knocks em dead in Northern CA (fresh crayfish tails) - I think the numbers are down, a lot of the fish are C&R'd (a good thing) and probably get educated. Do some research on urban ponds though, there are actually gem city lakes way overpopulated with catfish and I've had far better luck.
Reply by: gillmaster Posted: 7/29/2012 11:58:32 AM Points: 0
I was starting to say the same. I've been to the ponds more then 9 times trying to catch a Cat. The ONLY thing I've caught is a good fight with the raccoons for my bait(Fresh Cut). I've got skunked at CC...I'm also throwing Everything. I'm with you,I don't want a state record but DANG,Can I atleast hear that sweet bell song. *Plz Help*
I was starting to say the same. I've been to the ponds more then 9 times trying to catch a Cat. The ONLY thing I've caught is a good fight with the raccoons for my bait(Fresh Cut). I've got skunked at CC...I'm also throwing Everything. I'm with you,I don't want a state record but DANG,Can I atleast hear that sweet bell song. *Plz Help*
If U wanna hook up sometimes hit me up Blaquemagic6984@AOL.com
I have been doing well out of them lately ? mostly on 5 to 10 pounders my buddy landed a pig out of there not long back. Just keep changing your depths sucker meat has been producing for me. Here is a pic of the last big cat we caught out of there.
Another thing fish daylight into dark if you have alot of perch around you that can either be good or bad. I find a area that has alot of little fish feeding in the day and a area with none then at night i hit them both. Fish the evening into dark in the spot that the little fish are not at there could be cats and your bait wont be getting messed with, then at night hit the spot with the pray fish they will not mess with your bait and those cats will move in to feed on them. Try to stay away from the crayfish as much as you can. Fish the areas of the lake that dont drop off so fast and deep. Those cats in there are so full and well fed there are alot of cats and big boys they just dont half to move around far to feed they are lazy. That is another reason why i start catting in the daylight tell dark everytime you throw out your putting more scent in the water for those cats when they start moving.
There both good man. The lake produces monster cats it just takes knowing where to go if there is a big rainstorm you will find me at the lake in some of the hot spots. The ponds take time to figure out but when you do they are very rewarding there just very deep lots of food makes them hard. I would say both are the same for a average joe to go catch a cat. I do spend more time in the ponds.
One other place we used to hammer the smaller cats was the dog park ponds i haven't tried catting down there for 2 years but that used to be hot.
Hey Jman,Maybe I need to B in that group!! Lol,Would the size of the hook effect anything? Like should I just go with liver and a smaller hook to increase hook ups!!? Because right now im using a circle hook and cutbait!
Tried a spot on the south shore after it rained this past saturday. Was trying to get out to the channel that is there but the moss was very heavy. Had something hooked but, lost it in the moss. Thanks alot Jman for being willing to help a guy out. I will NEVER ask you to tell me a spot , just advice on how to find em. Hope we run into eachother at the chatty some time .
Pick a night man ill meet up with you and show you a thing or to. You seem like a good guy i dont mind showing you a couple spots in person as long as you dont go showing everyone.
That sounds great !! Thinkin bout goin friday and maybe saturday as well. Will be with some noob buddies sat so fri would be cool . I really wasnt expecting this offer from you Jman . My email is cam70shawn@yahoo.com if interested we can work out details. I am so stoked right now!!! Thanks alot man, very generous of you.
Reply by: kendallm Posted: 8/2/2012 12:30:43 AM Points: 26
At the res.. if anyone happens to catch a cat (guessing 20+lbs) with about 300yards of line hanging out of his mouth. Throw me a pick so I can put it on my wall.. on my boat middle of hot day. I watch my line slowly move from right to left then.. with drag set very high.. I watch my rod bend hard. I pick it up and wait.. and wait.. line still screaming off my reel .. I see my line is most of the way gone so I click my drag one tighter to wear him down a little faster .. line keeps going then ... Snap.. out of line
I cought a 16lb cat last year 16 minute fight (on video).. nothing compared to the one I lost
Reply by: FISHRANGLER Posted: 8/2/2012 8:26:39 AM Points: 4429
Gilmaster "Would the size of the hook effect anything? Like should I just go with liver and a smaller hook to increase hook ups!!? "
Answer to your question is Yes Use a 3/0 Circle hook and off set the hook with your pliers to increase your hookups on smaller cats and stick to the livers. I use 6/0 circle hooks for larger cats because I don't want to kill them like that larger one that is bleeding out in the picture above. Only time you should be using treble hooks IMO is when you may be Slip bobber fishing for cats but even then you have to pay attention to you set up. Anyone can catch and kill a large cat with treble hooks, the bigger challenge is catching them and releasing them to be caught another day. Use circle hooks don't let them run!! Tight line it and set them free. The practic of letting the cat run is a sure fire way to kill them by gut hooking them. Large cats cat be caught all day long. And using cut bait will actually decrease your chances. Stick to liver.Cut bait will work for keeping smaller cats away. But it does decrease your chances a little. It's not like your fishing for 60# Blue cats or Flatheads. The 20 and 30# cats will hit the liver ever time The bigger trick is to get it where they may be and present it in a location that you have a chance of not being stipped off by Crawdads and little cats and turtles.
No need to fish at night. Large cats eat all the time during the day. The proof is below. All fish below were released by using circle hooks. If you want eater cats, then using treble hooks is fine. Use the 3/0 treble and liver. This is just my opinion. As far as fishing that lake Jman is fishing, it is a shame that everyone now knows about it. You used to be able to treck down there and no one would be there except the bugs, If you find a cat hole that you like that is producing large cats keep it off the forums. It's very hard not to share your great catches. And get a pat on the back from your fellow anglers. Most people like to share to some degree. I know I do, but keep in mind when taking pictures and posting them your spot will be occupied more then likly the next time you go there. I know every spot Jman has caught his large fish and I have never fished with him or talked with him. Sorry Jman you just make it to easy to figure it out. So if I have, so have many others. Jman, I do like all you large cat catches though, so don't read to much into what I said here. Congrats on them for sure. I do challenge you to trying to do it with Circle hooks though. Anyway here are some large cats caught this year, during day light hours, many at 34 inches and above up to 35 plus pounds
Reply by: FISHRANGLER Posted: 8/2/2012 8:37:59 AM Points: 4429
These picutures above and below are some of the cats caught this year. Not last year or the year before that. No accidental catches, these fish were all caught while fishing for Channel cats. And yes, I discoved I can catch small cats too some times...LOL I'm just trying to share what I know about kitties and show off a little bit. At the same time to convince people that there is others ways to catch them and betters ways to end up releasing them. Proving some of the myths wrong has been fun.
What I use and do Daytime braid tight line liver for large Channel cats, your not fishing for 60# blues and flats.so no need for cut bait. take it for what its worth. circle hooks, 6/0 you will need a stiff rod to make this work though, you need the stiff rod so when the cat picks up the bait and turns it head it will set the hook for you. Don't let the cat run! no open bail.
Big tip Slip bobber fishing for large cats should not be over looked. That I will keep to my self for a while. But you can figure it out if you do some research. Two of the largest channel cats I have ever caught and these two they came during the day at 35 and 37#'s under bobbers in 5 and 6ft of water. Just some food for thought..
Reply by: gillmaster Posted: 8/2/2012 10:05:02 AM Points: 0
Hey @fishrangler,First I wanna say Congrats on those beautiful cats! I been looking for a sweet spot and trust me,When I find it I'm gonna hide it from myself. I also started using smaller circle hooks and liver(I got no love from the cut bait)I also thought that Cats only feed at night was some BS. I just started fishing this year so its ALOT of basic stuff I'm just now learning. So thanks for the tips and when I catch something worth sharing I will definitely share it with you guys!!
Reply by: FISHRANGLER Posted: 8/2/2012 10:16:30 AM Points: 4429
I would love to see the pictures of your future catches.
Now I just have to convince my cat buddies this post was a good idea, They may never fish with me again, for sharing so much info....lol There is a method to my madness. it's my attempt at getting more people to use circle hooks most of the time for large cats.
Wrangler has cats on lock... Cats dont just feed at night i love a stormy evening is the best. I ALWAYS go a hour before dark and stay 2 hours after right at dark is the best bite i believe.
I noticed fishrangler has a mess net around the liver in the pic . Has annyone tried pantyhose? Fresh cut bait or frozen? So many questions I could ask . Thanks for all the great advice !!! I am one step closer to becoming a catfish jedi. lol .
Reply by: kittyfisher Posted: 8/4/2012 11:12:20 AM Points: 107
Went out to the first pond last night from 730 to 1200 , fished the south west corner, skunked again. Never saw Jman so Im assuming that the guys who are catching cats are not at the first ponds. How many ponds are there?? Cant find a good map that shows the entire area. Tried to find the pond on the south side of the river but had no luck( it was 1230 and didnt know the area). Thinkin maybe I should stick to blue gills or trout, chatfield catfish hate me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply by: Ilya62 Posted: 8/5/2012 12:07:50 AM Points: 8
Try Crown Hill Lake, like someone suggested recently. It takes me usually 30-45 min to land 3-4 channel catfish. They are not huge, just 12-20 in, but fun to catch. Try east side of the lake. I use circle hook, cut bate, day time before noon and after 6pm. Lots of weed, so circle hook helps a lot.
Reply by: MrTroutman Posted: 8/5/2012 8:14:52 AM Points: 0
I never catch keeper catfish up there. Better fishing for bass+trout. Some of the bass have very nice size up there. I guess they probably eat the fingerling rainbows that are stocked all the time.
I walked all the way around crown hill and somebody was already at the east side spot . Either way ,I appreciate your suggestion. Is that lake always so low and weedy?
Reply by: Rollie Posted: 8/12/2012 3:28:19 AM Points: 196
three ponds...two across king fisher than another very controversial pond, hehe.. get a map I cant tell you how to get there cause NO ONE told me until "I" took the TIME to investigate these bodys of water , asking fisherman, talking onb forum, but the Main 2 things that help me find Hot Spots and Good Life-Long bodys of water that keep producing (at least so far) is 1. Taking the time and getting out and investigate and research the body of water. ON SHORE, or boat or if your Jeremy Wade a Helocopter for recon.. 2.Trial and Error you will be out ALOT of nights getting skunked and furious, (4 this keep a small fruit-full pond that you might know of in mind and between skunks visit that 1) Being skunked is a part of the learning experience try new methods next time, new location, research water temp and fish behavior through the seasonal change. I came on here from out of state thinking, These CO guys are just gonna fork over all these hot spots on the front range, and in the rockies... NO it didnt happen, and for good reason.. The Journey...not the destination..if you feel me on this... Thanks for letting me rant and rave Good Luck and keep those poles bouncing...
Reply by: kittyfisher Posted: 8/12/2012 9:07:22 AM Points: 107
Thanks Rollie. I done my fair share of walkin at the ponds and actually found that there are more than 3. I realize now that its all about being persistant, and patient.
Lots of useful info on this string!! Yes, to answer your question there is a 3rd pond, and a fourth actually, but put on your hiking shoes cause its a walk to get back there. I have caught a couple cats out of that (3rd) pond but small ones, and have never gotten into cats on the main lake, or the first 2 ponds, but after I saw a post on here by dude that caught a honker back there, I decided to go check it out. Park in the lot southeast of the river, and kingfisher, and follow the trail. South till you hit the pond. Go around and past that pond about another 2-300 yards and you found the biggest of the four ponds. Never personally fished out of that one but both ponds are usually pretty deserted. Google maps bro it shows everything
Thanks cutthroat . Ya , I found them all, but have only fished the fist two. I hear that there is a paking lot closer to 3 and 4 that you dont have to pay to get in. tight lines.
I have looked around for a better, easier way to get back there and yes there is a closer lot, but you have to walk through private property to get back there everywhere I've seen. It really is a nice hike anyways, and its as backwoods as chatty gets. I know that pond is less pressured than the other two as well, most of what you see back there is equestrians on the trails go pack the gear in a backpack and take the mountian bike back there, that's what I do
I think i've heard that one b4 Jman , lol . From what I have heard from a park ranger, these two ponds are not stocked . Long walks are nothing new to me now cutthroat . It is a nice walk . I learned the hard way though, dont try to find it in the dark!!!!!! Thanks for tips.
Kid you not jman I have caught kitties out of #3 myself. So something tells me it was stocked at some point. That pond also does connect to the River and stranger things have happened before. I wont argue it with you lol, if you don't go back there cause you think its just crayfish, that just leaves more fish for me. Espescially if they don't stock it, which sounds strange... why else are they driving dually trucks on that trail that leads back there??. . glad to hear you enjoyed the hike, and keep em tight!!
Reply by: jman Posted: 9/13/2012 11:35:06 AM Points: 1259
Cut420 Its time for you to drop it. If people want to go try these ponds and figure them out they can but they dont need a big wave of fishing pressure in there just because you are bringing them out of the darkness. Yes there are some bass perch and cats in them but let me tell you good luck they are very challenging to fish very very deep and lots of crayfish. Im being honest when i say the first 2 Ponds are better bets less of a walk and just as many cats.
