Thoughts on Utah lake Cats

[TubeDude]

I've been fishing UL for four years. I kept track three years ago (caught over 400 cats) and they averaged 23.5". This year I haven't caught many under 24" especially this fall. I just assumed that the techniques we use for the big fish just don't work for the smaller ones.

True, you will usually catch more small cats on smaller baits...or the small jigs fished for white bass...if they are present.  And the small ones will peck at larger baits even though they can't get the larger hooks in their mouths.  However, the small ones have just not been showing up...either as incidental catches or as pesky bait stealers.