09-11-2014, 11:31 PM
TubeDude and I had major safari planned for today to check out a cat den that was rumored to hold some big-time catfish. We were well into our count down to launch when the vagaries of familial obligations intervened and I had to wimp out of our trip. Bummer. I was really looking forward to giving TD a few pointers on how to catch catfish... (yeah, right!) Anyway, I was able to wrest a commitment out of him to give me another chance next year if not this year.
I was committed to home duty during the day but was cleared to fish at night so I hit Lincoln Beach at 9:00 and fished until 3 a.m. The water continues to drop and depths in the launch channel were at 1.5 to 2 ft. with a heavy moss starting to build up. I was able to plow thru but I suspect the big power boats are thru for the year.
Beautiful night... big moon popped up out of Hobble Creek canyon and eliminated the need for a head lamp. I fished with big white bass bait, 7 or 8 inches long, hoping to find a big catfish. Found lots of cats but all in the 22 -26 in. range. Fished shallow and deep in search of a bigger cat but it was not to be. The cats I caught were all caught on the second hook of my double hook rig. They were attacking from the rear and munching their way up until they ended up hooked and in the boat. The cat I was looking for would have inhaled the bait I was using. The ones I was catching were turning into a nuisance. Still, I know the 20 plus pounder I have been looking for all summer is out there and I will continue the hunt as long as the water holds up. That 20 pounder and I will converge eventually.
The cats seem to be starting their fall feeding frenzy and a small wb or a chunk of carp meat should produce two footerish cats regularly. I plan to hit Bird Island tomorrow to see if the big ones are hiding out there. Will report.
BLK
[signature]
I was committed to home duty during the day but was cleared to fish at night so I hit Lincoln Beach at 9:00 and fished until 3 a.m. The water continues to drop and depths in the launch channel were at 1.5 to 2 ft. with a heavy moss starting to build up. I was able to plow thru but I suspect the big power boats are thru for the year.
Beautiful night... big moon popped up out of Hobble Creek canyon and eliminated the need for a head lamp. I fished with big white bass bait, 7 or 8 inches long, hoping to find a big catfish. Found lots of cats but all in the 22 -26 in. range. Fished shallow and deep in search of a bigger cat but it was not to be. The cats I caught were all caught on the second hook of my double hook rig. They were attacking from the rear and munching their way up until they ended up hooked and in the boat. The cat I was looking for would have inhaled the bait I was using. The ones I was catching were turning into a nuisance. Still, I know the 20 plus pounder I have been looking for all summer is out there and I will continue the hunt as long as the water holds up. That 20 pounder and I will converge eventually.
The cats seem to be starting their fall feeding frenzy and a small wb or a chunk of carp meat should produce two footerish cats regularly. I plan to hit Bird Island tomorrow to see if the big ones are hiding out there. Will report.
BLK
[signature]
