6-17-2006 Catfish Report from Racoon

[MrWiskers]

Went to Racoon again tonight. I bet we watched 40 boats go by on their way to Riverbend. The Racoon Mtn parking lot was completely full. People were parking on the grass. Unreal.

We only boated two cats, a 5-6 lb channel and a 16 lb blue. The channel fought much harder than the blue and I thought the blue was only about 6-7 lbs until I got it up to see it. Don't know why but this fish did not want to fight. The 16 lb fish came from the wall at the Racoon Mtn pump station on 1/2 of a threadfin. We had a lot of big bait out but this fish decided to hit the smallest. The rod this fish was caught on was in the rod holder when he hit and I had a 4/0 Diachi circle hook on it. I finally got a good one on a circle.

 

[rsimms]

FYI, on Thursday I actually caught a "suspended" fish with rod in holder. I told you I never did that... but I got tired or was doing something for a client. Reeled bait up off bottom and set it in rod holder. Just a minute later I looked down and watched as it bowed over.... Daiichi Circle did it's job well. Client got him in... is was 22.

 

[MrWiskers]

Yeah, on certain days we catch most of our fish suspended, and not just little fish as you have found out. Especially as the water gets hotter. The cats should start picking up again in a few weeks and catching fish at the pump station is good sign.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Good report MrWhiskers. Nice picstoo. I like that area of the river but don't get to go there very often. Have you ever drifted that big hole just below where it washes out on the opposite side of the river? There used to be a drop over there and the fish would stack on it.

 

[MrWiskers]

I am not sure where you are talking about. We usually just fish the pump station and further up river. We always talk about fishing across from the pump station but somehow it never happens. How deep is the hole you are talking about?

 

[fisherpal2k]

Best I remeber it was like 25 to 30 ft deep where it was washed out at. We have caught a few good cts there while bass fishing in the winter.

 

[MrWiskers]

There is a small point just above the rocks on the opposite side of the pump station that will hold channel cats. There is a creek that empties onto the point (the point is under water so you have to look for it). We are primarily fishing for big blues so we don't usually fish this point. I have not scouted the water below this point and in front of the rocks other than bass fishing (the rocks hold a few spots in the spring). I need to though.