Fish Explorer Logo
Colorado
Colorado Fishing FishExplorer.com
 Colorado Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer
Go back to Main FxR Forum listings
Fish: Channel Catfish

Fat Cat

Post By: Barnacles      Posted: 6/25/2021 7:45:37 PM     Points: 3897    
I've been halfway trying for my MA Channel Cat. I just don't have the patience to sit there with bait & wait for something to happen. Today I decided to help thin out some stunted crappie in one of our local small lakes.

Got a little momentum on crappie and a paddleboard "convoy" decided to wallow out my hole. I decided to drift out deep and drag my jig behind the boat. At first I thought I had a log, then she moved her shoulders. I think it took about 10 seconds for her to realize she was hooked on my ultralight. That gave me just enough time to "tune" my drag for battle.

She made 8-10 runs and stretched my 4 lb line to the limit. Of course I had no net on board, so I gave her the bass thumb (ouch). A few inches shy of MA, but a good surprise on a little city lake.


 Reply by: phidoux      Posted: 6/25/2021 8:08:12 PM     Points: 9000
Congrats on winning the fight on light tackle. I know the pleasure/pain of sticking your fingers or hand in a cats mouth lol. The one that did this to me was only 12#. I've had bigger do more damage just didn't get pics.
 Reply by: Barnacles      Posted: 6/25/2021 9:08:51 PM     Points: 3897
Phidoux, I can only think of two words for that.... Bad A$$. I think I cried a little bit when mine clamped down, but I didn't let go.
 Reply by: dizzel      Posted: 6/25/2021 9:48:56 PM     Points: 25021
Congrats, nice catch for sure!! Looks more like a flathead then a channel cat but could definitely be wrong. Either way great fish for sure.
 Reply by: Barnacles      Posted: 6/26/2021 8:16:27 AM     Points: 3897
I had the same thought initially Dizzel. I chopped off the tail in the picture, but it had the definite channel cat deep fork. Someday, I'll have to learn how to take a decent fish picture.
 Reply by: anglerwannabe      Posted: 6/26/2021 11:23:54 AM     Points: 71661
fun surprise for sure!

 Reply by: Wmdunker      Posted: 6/26/2021 11:47:02 AM     Points: 468
I just started drift fishing for cats with a Santee Cooper rig (look it up) and have been catching some really nice cats as the wind blows my kayak across the lake. Fishing with two rods, I also pick up a few perch and crappie in the mix. The key seems to be slowing it down, but the wind also send most of the boarders scampering to shore. Fun times
 Reply by: Barnacles      Posted: 6/26/2021 4:02:08 PM     Points: 3897
Thanks Wmdunker. I'll have to invest in some of those pegged float things. That looks like it would work good for slinging cut bait in the surf for redfish too. I know a few people that actually inflate nightcrawlers with a syringe to get them floating up out of the mud. I guess it works.
 Reply by: Smelly      Posted: 6/26/2021 7:03:23 PM     Points: 26940
Great catch Barnacles !👍👍 I don’t know how those catfish grabbers ( noodling I think they call it ) do it. Must have hands of leather. I did that “ lip a catfish “ trick once. And once is the operative work here. Got my thumb on his crusher and he clamped down and wasn’t about to let go ! By the time I got my thumb out. It looked like the skin was rasped off! Similar to phidoux’s picture. Ouch !! 😬
 Reply by: bharper      Posted: 6/27/2021 9:47:34 AM     Points: 399
Nice kitty!🎣👊
 Reply by: Barnacles      Posted: 6/27/2021 10:10:00 AM     Points: 3897
Smelly, I've seen those noodling shows on TV. There's not enough moonshine in the world to make me summon the courage to do that.
 Reply by: finsnfeathers      Posted: 6/30/2021 4:23:16 AM     Points: 203
It’s a channel.
Flatheads are yellow or brown and square tail
 Reply by: FishingJunkie      Posted: 7/2/2021 7:51:07 AM     Points: 1830
Very nice cat. Congrats, Barn
 Reply by: Team CO.F.F.      Posted: 7/2/2021 10:13:32 AM     Points: 315
IDK if i'll ever get an MA Catfish of any kind, that thing is a beauty! Solid work man!!!!
 Reply by: kiva      Posted: 7/3/2021 3:08:32 PM     Points: 233
Congratulations! That’s a great channel cat especially when caught on such light tackle!

Back to top...
Operation Game Thief
Call to report illegal fishing/hunting:
1-877-265-6648
(1-877-COLO-OGT)
or:
Email CPW
 
×

Info