help

[fishermaninjv]

just kinda started cat fishing any tips

[Graybeard]

More info needed.

Ya fishing farm ponds, streams, rivers or large impoundments.

Ya got a boat/motor or are you fishing from the bank?

Will you be using rod/reel or cane pole, limb lines, jug fishing or trot lining?

Each requires a somewhat different technique. Having a better idea of how/where you'll be after them will help us help you.

[Lon371]

 You scared him Bill . Since he has not responded.
 
 I am picking up a 16' semi V aluminum boat soon(hopefully). Will be fishing small lakes. Mostly electric motor lakes. The boat is bare. Nothing but bench seats and motors.
 
 Will be using poles. Have some cat poles and others.
 
 I want to get into crappie and catfishing. I have been away from fishing for a while, aside from a little Bass fishing. 
 
 Looking for night light setup ideas. Something low wattage needless to say. Any and all suggestions welcome. 
  Also looking for your bait(secret weapons) I will be fishing in southern Indiana, so dont worry about me stealing your honey hole
 
Thanks for the help
Lonny
 

[Graybeard]

I've never worked up any magic combo for catfish. My favorite bait is a catalpa worm and I have prolly 30 catalpa trees maybe more down near my pond. Last year wasn't a good year for worms but normally once they get started we have a fairly steady supply until frost.

Crawfish, worms, liver or even hotdog and marshmallows work as bait. On trotlines we used to use catalpa worms, earthworms, cut bait and whole small fish and all caught good numbers of cats.

LED lanterns are prolly the best night time light source these days. Wal-Mart carries a little Chinese made lantern that takes four AA batteries and you can use three or seven white lights or a blinking single red light. I have 12 or 15 of them we use when the power goes off and I have them in my truck all the time.

They make a floating light for crappy fishing that shines down into the water and atracts minnows which in turn attracts crappy and should do the same for catfish.

I wish I had a source for cane poles. The way my pond is laid out with a peninsula and the ability to walk around the banks I could get to almost all of it with a good cane pole if I could locate some. I've not seen one for sale around here in many years and have no where to cut my own.

[Lon371]

 Thanks Bill
 
 As far as cane poles, how long do you need? I run across them on ocassion.
 
Lonny

[fishermaninjv]

lol no you didnt scare me away my internet crashed and its been a while i built my own boat so i been busy but Ya fishing farm ponds, streams, rivers
Ya got a boat and i will be  fishing from the bank at times ?

ill be using a rod i do not know how to trot line

[fishermaninjv]

i would also love to do some crappie fishing

[Graybeard]

Thanks Bill
 
 As far as cane poles, how long do you need? I run across them on ocassion.
 
Lonny

It has been so long since I've owned a cane pole I've forgotten just what length I did prefer. I think 14' to 18' tho is about right for my pond. Way too long to ship by any means I know of. I suspect that's why every place that sells bait doesn't stock them anymore like they used to.

[spruce]

GB - I used to have a collapsible "cane" pole that was made of fiberglass.  It had sections that all collapsed down into the butt section that was about 4 or 5 feet long, extended was somewhere around 12-14 feet IIRC.  Think I got it at BassPro or Cabela's.
 
fishermaninjv - I used to have good luck using leeches for channel cats.  Fished them on a plain circle hook, under a slip bobber, with just enough weight to keep the line and bobber vertical.  Worked good for me on the river and also a man-made impoundment I fished a lot.  On the lake this setup seemed to work best when fished in water from about 5' to less than 20' deep, and putting the bait from near bottom to just a few feet below the surface.  Just had to experiment until I found what depth they were on any particular evening.  Sure miss those catfish fillets!!!

[Graybeard]

GB - I used to have a collapsible "cane" pole that was made of fiberglass.  It had sections that all collapsed down into the butt section that was about 4 or 5 feet long, extended was somewhere around 12-14 feet IIRC.  Think I got it at BassPro or Cabela's.

I have several of those in various lengths but they just ain't a cane pole. Just sumpin about using a REAL cane pole in a farm pond don'tchaknow.

[plumberroy]

GB - I used to have a collapsible "cane" pole that was made of fiberglass.  It had sections that all collapsed down into the butt section that was about 4 or 5 feet long, extended was somewhere around 12-14 feet IIRC.  Think I got it at BassPro or Cabela's.

I have several of those in various lengths but they just ain't a cane pole. Just sumpin about using a REAL cane pole in a farm pond don'tchaknow.

Tell me about it I can find light 2-3 piece ones I use to have one bought as a 18 footer  cut 6 foot off the light end . I would use 50 # test  on it and drop  big minnows or globs of night crawlers in hole in the lilly pads   I have drug some big bass and cat out that way
Roy

[fishermaninjv]

i probally wont be using cane poles just because the so big lol what kind of pole,reel,string should i use

[hunt-m-up]

Chubs/suckers/goldeye cut or whole for cats, frogs later in the year, don't forget commercial dip baits or my all-time favorite, chicken guts. Keep the guts frozen until you're ready to use and thread them on the hook. We've used bait shrimp with some success also.

[hillbill]

if you can, get a cast net and learn how to use it. do you have shad in your area? they are my fav catfish bait. either whole or cut. if you can, catch them with your cast net and put them on ice. worms are great if you can get them.chiken livers and shrimp are my next choices. the main thing ive learned about catfishing is that ive never caught one from the couch while watching tv. get out there and go.talk to the locals and see where and how they are getting them. my fav way to catch them on large lakes is by jug fishing. throw out 20 or so jugs then go fish with your poles for a couple hrs then go back and check them.of course this requires a boat.

[hillbill]

you asked about equipment?  any reel will work but i like a long rod, 7 ft or better. i prefer abu garcia baitcast reels and 10-15 lb test line. spinning reels are fine also.when they are biteing lightly i like to leave the bail open or the baitcast reel in freespool. a cat will normally run maybe a few yards with the bait and then swallow it. it does seem, if they are really hitting light, that a reel with a good smooth freespool to allow them to run without resistance can help. other times, when they are hitting hard, yu can lock the spool and they will jus about pull the pole in the water hooking therselves. look into circle hooks too, ive had good luck with them.

[fishermaninjv]

ya i have minnows in the crick (creek what ever you call it) down the road and i have been going to the bars and talking to the old people they are starting to like me up there lol

[deernhog]

Get Zebco 808 or 733 combo on a 7' medium action rod with 15 to 20 pound Cajun Red line as a starter . Fish a commercial punchbait on a #6 or#8 treble hook and weight under a slip bobber rig ( lighted or plain) just above the cover or bottom of the pond or lake that you are fishing. Just use the one rod for starters and keep it in your hands. Good technique for Channels and Blues. I use a 12v LED trouble lite from Walmart with a 12 volt car battery in the boat or bank if close to the truck. I like a double mantle propane latern if I have to walk very far. Good way to catch a mess of fish. For deep water I use the longer rods 9' to 12' or a heavier rig with live or cut bait for the big bite.  #1 & #2 items on your tackle list towel and longnose pliers.  Settle in next to your icechest for a good trip.