Lindon Today !!!

[quantum1man]

[font "Myriad Web Pro Condensed"][blue][size 4]Went to lindon this morning and did not do so good at all. All we caught was mud cats but i guess it was better than nothing. The Harbor was full of fisherman. met one other BFT'er out there I think his name is (hook-em up) But all in all it was great to be out with the family[/size][/blue][/font]
[signature]

[Theekillerbee]

Nothin wrong with dredging up a few mudders to stretch the string. Looks like the weather was nice for you.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Your toon pic shoulda been "SALSA POWERED".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Glad you at least scored some ugly mudders. The channels haven't really showed up heavily inside yet...or outside either. They are still tough.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[hookemup]

Yes q1man that was me. Good talking to you. Best of luck with the toon modifications.
Muds for me today (again). I think some of us could use a good o`l fasioned kitty lesson from the Jedi Cat Masters aka TDude and TBabe (I know I could).
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey guys, there are some "inside secrets" to catching channels right now. I have been fishing them for so long that there are some things I just take for granted, and don't think about it. Let me scratch my head for a minute and see if I can offer some insight.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]First, fishing from shore (especially with worms) this time of year almost dooms you to catch only bullheads, whities and the occasional walleye or channel cat. Most of the fish are offshore and in areas not easily reached by "bank tanglers".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have areas around the lake that have proven to be good holding (fishing) spots year after year, so I fish them with confidence. I always assume the fish are there...sometimes only one or two, but sometimes a bunch. That means that all I have to do is find the right spot and serve up the right bait, the right way.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is always a source of amazement to me that "nasty old catfish", which are generally considered to be foolish, easy to catch and that will eat anything, can be so touchy and finicky. But, I have had too many days when they showed a definite pattern of preference for me to EVER assume anything about them.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]When TubeBabe and I go out in the tubes, we usually get quite a ways away from any area that gets a lot of bank fishing. Then, we split up and using our handheld radios, we keep in contact and exchange info on what we are using and what depths we are working. Sonar is invaluable for our style of cattin'. Some days it can make a world of difference to be "out of the zone".[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]So far this year, we have scored about 2 dozen cats between us. Only 4 have been under 4 pounds and most have been over 5 pounds. I have caught some of my largest cats during the cold water transitional period beginning about the end of February. This year I didn't get the first ones until about mid March. Crazy weather.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We fish with a "finesse" system. We use what some would consider light tackle for big cats. Medium spinning rods with no more than about 10 pound line (Silver Thread Excalibur). We also use "small" hooks...size 2 and 4. We fish with no weight and no bobbers until the water warms a bit and the fish are more aggressive. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We use mostly either chub minnows or carp meat. Whole chub minnows under 4 inches are my favorite bait, but carp strips often work better. Every day is different, and it can change during a day's fishing. Using a two pole permit, and fishing two different baits increases your chances. If the fish are slow, sometimes cutting the minnow in half or using only a small chunk of carp meat can make the difference between getting action or just exercise. We catch some large fish on small baits this time of year.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We cast our baits out, without weight, and let them settle to the bottom slowly. We use only an occasional slow kick with our fins, to move the bait across the bottom. Right now, when the fish are slower, the bite often comes while we are sitting still, after just making a move of a couple of feet. Later, when the water is warmer, you can almost slow troll the baits to cover more water and the fish will pounce on the moving bait.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have set up "bait riggers" (see pic) on either side of the front of our tubes, to hold the rods. They have a loop of surgical tubing under which I tuck the loop of loose line, coming from the open bail (free spool) of the reel. When a fish takes the bait, it pulls the loop free and the line streams freely off the reel until I can get the rod and set the hook. That is great for fishing bait on one rod while casting plastics with the other. It also allows you to reel in the other line before setting the hook, so that a fish does not tangle you up if it spins you around a few times...and they will.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The main elements of catching channel cats right now are to find a good area, cover a lot of water in different depths, use the right bait and rigging, fish with no weight and let the fish take the bait before setting the hook. That is ideal for fishing from tubes or toons. You can do it from a boat, but not as well, and it is almost impossible from the bank. Yes, you can use the techniques, but you just can't hunt the fish. From the bank you have to wait for the fish to come to you, and they just don't move around as much in cold water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Sorry about the short post. Couldn't think of much to say.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[scottieb]

[] So you made it out this weekend. Thats great. I went out to Willard Saterday with old-coot It was a great day on the lake but we didn't do any good. When the water warm's up a little more we will hook up and go to willard for some wipers.
[signature]