Bluecats released in Hoover Res.

8,300 Blue Catfish were recently released by the Ohio DNR into Hoover Res. and 30,000 more are to be released in the near future. The fish that were released were in the 6" to 8" range. In five years you should expect to see some fish close to 20 pounds. Last fall the ODNR stocked Dillon Lake with 13,000 and that project is said to be a bust due to the pass through into the rivers. Some reports of these fish already making it to the Ohio river. With Hoover being impounded there's no way of escape. The ODNR said they also plan to stock other Res. In the future.

Cold Water Channel Cats

As the water temps continue to drop into the 40s here in Ohio, doesn't mean that the catfishing has come to an end. There is still plenty of fishing to be done just have to know were to look.
When the water temps start to drop is when I start changing my techniques, first of all you have to know where to find the fish. I start by finding the wintering holes. A wintering hole doesn't have to be the deepest water in the stretch but with the most suitable conditions. Most of the places I find have little to no current and or a good current break. You find the right hole and the fish will be stacked up.
Next thing I think that is important is downsizing baits. During this time I usually will use a piece of cut bait not much bigger than a quarter. The best baits I've had success with is small chunks of Shad, Sucker or even Chubs. A lot of guys also have much luck with cut Minnows and Nightcrawler. I also will drop my hook size to the bait. I will run a size 5/0 to 6/0 hook, J style. I also like circle hooks but a lot of times at this time of year the fish are a little more sluggish and don't load the rod up enough for the hook to work properly.
Another thing I do is lighten my gear. I will use a light to med light action rod and say 10 pound line. At times the bite is so soft that with heavier gear you might not even feel the bite. Alot of times I will use my bass tackle the colder the water gets.
The last thing is patience! You might have to hit quite a few holes before you find the right one, but when you do find the right one, it can make for some non stop channel cat action.......Smooth

Tough year on the river

With another year almost in the books it has to be said that this was the worst year I've ever experienced! The spring was filled with high water and terrible weather. My first flathead didn't come till may 16th and it came from a local lake. I never broke the teens personally but put a few guys on there personal bests and accompanied a few others on decent fish. To me seeing a few of my buddies catch PBs made for a good year regardless of my results. Only thing I can say is that I did learn a few things this year! 1st off is that I can't rely on old spots for success, after all the high water alot of my honey holes have changed and didn't give up many good fish. 2nd my favorite go to bait (northern hognosed suckers) were scarce in my stretch of the river. This coming up spring I need to start over and scout a lot of new areas. I hit a few tourneys this year and did pretty well. I'm gonna give the tournaments a more serious try next year and even hit a handful of the Cabelas King Kat Tourneys.
At the beginning of the year I started a new catfishing forum with a good friend of mine and it's taken off quite nicely, better than I expected actually and it's continuing to grow with great positive members and have some great sponsors! I have alot going on starting the first of the year. I'm starting a catfish research project with a private company and going to continue growing my website and better my fishing skills and knowledge.

Muskingum River 10-15

Hit the river for a few hours last night with Fatcat, the weather was terrible with high winds and rain. We managed to catch only one Flathead last night and had a few others come off the hook. Bait was fresh shad, and all bites came from 8 to 10 foot of water.
Water temps are dropping hard but I think there's a few weeks left of decent fishing.

Muskingum River 9-28

Hit the river with Luckeywade last night fished from 8pm to 9am. We put three fish on the bank, two big channelcats and a nice 20# Flathead at 8 am this morning. Bites been slow the past week but were still hitting it hard!

FatCat Gets His New Personal Best

Hit the river Sunday night with Fatcat, we were fishing the lower Muskingum and hit a few spots that usually produce good fish. Around 10:30 the big on bit. The fish took a live bluegill in about ten foot of water near some heavy wooded cover. Fish weighted 41.6#s and fatcats new PB. Fish was released after a few pica to fight again. Congrats man glad I got to experience with ya!

First Flathead of The Year (5-16)

Its been a real tough spring with all the high water but i finally managed to catch my first Flathead of the year. He came about a month and a half from when i usually start catching them and he came from a lake. Hes no monster by any means weighing in at 16#s but it sure was a good feeling getting the first one of the year. I was really starting to get discouraged with the water levels on the river but i started hitting the lakes and it payed off. This fish was caught in about 10 foot of water next to a 20 foot drop on cut shad. He was released after a few photos to grow and fight another day.

Cold Front Channel Cats

Fatcat and I decided to hit the lake the other night  for some channel cats.  The conditions were terrible with the cold front moving through dropping the temps into the lower 40s with rain and alot of wind.  Even with the terrible weather we still caught 7 solid fish. The biggest of the night went to Fatcat with a solid 15#er and his new personal best. he also caught a 13# and a few smaller ones.  I finished the night with a 14# and a 13# all fish were caught on cut shad and released to fight another day. 

Early Spring Channelcats

Heres a few pics of an early spring Channelcat trip me and a buddy made.  The water temp was around 50 degrees,  The fish were all caught on cut shad.  We ended up catching 4.  It was nice just getting out and spending a little time on the water.

A Slow But Successful Trip To The James River

Luckeywade, Dad, And I just returned from the James, the weather was awesome but the fishing was alittle slow. Capt. Hugh Self really worked his butt off to put us on fish. Not many fish were being caught on the whole stretch of river but we still boated some good ones. This was my dads first trip to the James and after Blues. Dad was big cat of the trip with a 52.4# and breaking my PB by 4oz. he also caught a 37# and a 30#. Luckeywade also broke his PB Blue with a fat 33#er he caught some other nice fish, a couple of 20#s and a nice 30# he also caught a 23# Flathead. I struggled but managed to catch a 30# and a 38. We boated some smaller fish also. We all lost some good ones throughout the trip but were real happy with our results. I want to thank Capt. Hugh for busting his butt to show us all a good time, Also Dad and Luckeywade for making for a great trip, we had alot of laughs and good times and friendships were made.

Leaving Tomorrow for the James

Well, just finished up my last night of work till my trip.  Tomorrow night Ill be headed south to the James River,  Ill be fishing again with the legendary Capt. Hugh Self.  Last year alot of good fish were caught and recently a few of my fishing buddies made the trip and did very well.  My good friend Jason (catfishrollo) ended up crushing his Personal Best with a giant 72+ pounder on the second day of his trip.  Right now there has been high water down there but Hugh said they have still been very successful the last week or so. Partners have been changed a few times throughout the months of waiting but we have put together a great crew to make the trip,  My father, My good friend Randy(LuckeyWade) and myself.  My father will be making his first trip to the James and first try at Bluecat Fishing.   My good friend Randy has made the trip before but is real excited to be fishing with Hugh and bettering his odds at catching one of them Monsters.  This will be my second trip to the James and I did pretty well last year but a new PB is very realistic on this trip.  I already have butterflies in my stomach.  I hope to see My Dad and Randy catch some monsters on this Trip, That is my number one priority!  I will give a report on my return and lets all hope its a great one!.......Smooth

Flatheadin With My Daughter Shelby!

I got a pic from a friend of mine from a trip from late August.  My daughter and I went on a trip where it would have been her first Flathead but it was 3:30 in the morning and she didnt wake up till it was on the bank.  She told me it was still her fish cause it was her rod! lol!  I have to tell ya this girl is Flathead Crazy and will be posting bigger Flatheads than most of the guys around here soon!  She understands why we catch and release these giants and has a great overall respect for the outdoors!  She calls herself Shelby Cat! LOL!

Passing The Sport On To The Kids

A good friend and fishing partner of mine Roger aka Pawpaw, sent me a video of a few of his grandsons fishing trips from last year.  I really appreciate you passing the sport on to these boys and teaching them the ins and outs of catfishing.  I must add that all of us need to take a kid fishing and teach them about catch and release and the negative effects that overharvest has on our lakes and rivers.  I also believe getting kids into fishing will give them something positive to be into and in turn will help them make right decisions in there everyday life, We have to remember the kids are the future and need to be shown the right path.  Thanks again Roger for sending me the Video.........Smooth

Keeping A Fishing Log

The last few years ive kept a fishing log of my trips, Ive recorded Date, Times, bait, stetch of river, water temp., barometric pressure and moon phase. It really is a good resource to have so you can look back and compare data to increase your odds and pattern fish. It seems like alot of work but really it isnt, If you just jot it down on a pad of paper then log it into the computer when you have time. I use Microsoft Excell for my Logs. The thing about this is that your not going be able to use the info to your advantage right away but with time you will start to notice patterns in activity of the fish. Dont get me wrong though you will have entries at times that just throw all the science out the window. I do believe this has increased my odds Catfishing. Give it a try and see if it helps you!.......Smooth

Changing Flathead bait choices throughout the year

Something that has made me a more sucessful flathead fisherman is change my bait choices throughout the year. At the begining of the year I like to use a more slender bait such as a sucker, shad or even a small bass. I also have figured out that what ever bait is running in the spring is a good go to bait, when the white bass are on the run in the spring that is one of my most succesful baits! During the spawn i like to use Bullheads and gills, they naturally invade a flatheads nest to eat the eggs and by far is my best baits in the summer, I also use what is called a green eared sunfish, They look alot like a gill but with larger mouths and green streaks up the side of there mouth and head, these baits are very agressive and easy to keep alive in the heat of the summer, in the tank and on the hook. Then as the water temp starts dropping in the Fall i start to go back to the slender baits but also use some bass and bullheads also. I also use some cut shad throughout the year but this past year was terrible dealing with the turtles and couldnt keep a cut bait in the water. The type of suckers i have the most luck on is the northern hog nosed suckers. I also believe in the saying "BIG BAIT BIG FISH" I always run at least one monster bait while im fishing and it might set out all nite without a run or it might be the bite to make your year or Lifetime! Good luck to all this year and cant wait t set into the first flat of the year!......smooth

Dillon Lake Bluecat Update!

I recieved a link to a video from Ohio DNR on the release of the Bluecats in Dillon. I really hope these fish take off in here! I imagine they will grow fast with the unreal shad population. I wanted to post this vid to clear up all the talk of when and where they were released.

Blue Catfish Project from Wildlife Matters on Vimeo.