05-24-2014, 12:43 AM
TD-- Can't say that I have noticed a big diff betwixt boys and girls.(What!?) I've caught a few cats that I figgered were surely 20 plus pounders only to show up as not much more than cookie cutters. I do think the big males have more of a tendency to go airborne for their first series of head shakes. I've seen a few of them come out of the water like a rainbow trout at the first sting of the hook.
I'm sure I don't "feel" cats the way you do cuz I use some industrial strength gear -- 12-14 # test line and stiff rods. I do enjoy the tussle with a big cat and some of those big ol' males really seem to have some good defensive moves. Without a good drag set they have no trouble breaking my heavy lines.
Now I've got one for you: I was draggin' a slab of carp around today, and sometimes a half of a white bass. Some of the hits were really wicked and I still (as usual) missed a lot of them. I remember you describing a plastic spoon handle you taped to your secondary rod that would hold and release your line when a cat struck. I've tried a trigger pull at the moment they hit, and leaving my bail open so they could chomp a bit before I tried to set. Couldn't tell much difference. Do you let 'em run a bit by choice or do you hammer them when you first feel them? I'm still fine tuning my hook set but I do miss a lot of hits. I have been using a hook-behind-a-hook set up and that seems to help... sometimes.
I like cat fishin' but as I often say, "I ain't no Tube Dude." I'm always open to anybody who offers suggestions.
By the way, met some guys at the LB launch today who mentioned that they had been catching a few "blue cats" out in front of the orchards. See what I mean? I learn something every day about UL cats.
Good weather comin'!
BLK
[signature]
I'm sure I don't "feel" cats the way you do cuz I use some industrial strength gear -- 12-14 # test line and stiff rods. I do enjoy the tussle with a big cat and some of those big ol' males really seem to have some good defensive moves. Without a good drag set they have no trouble breaking my heavy lines.
Now I've got one for you: I was draggin' a slab of carp around today, and sometimes a half of a white bass. Some of the hits were really wicked and I still (as usual) missed a lot of them. I remember you describing a plastic spoon handle you taped to your secondary rod that would hold and release your line when a cat struck. I've tried a trigger pull at the moment they hit, and leaving my bail open so they could chomp a bit before I tried to set. Couldn't tell much difference. Do you let 'em run a bit by choice or do you hammer them when you first feel them? I'm still fine tuning my hook set but I do miss a lot of hits. I have been using a hook-behind-a-hook set up and that seems to help... sometimes.
I like cat fishin' but as I often say, "I ain't no Tube Dude." I'm always open to anybody who offers suggestions.
By the way, met some guys at the LB launch today who mentioned that they had been catching a few "blue cats" out in front of the orchards. See what I mean? I learn something every day about UL cats.
Good weather comin'!
BLK
[signature]