More Cats 5-21-06 (w/pics)

[rsimms]

Returned to the river today with Troy Gothard and his son Alex from Ringgold, Ga. It was their first time to ever go catfishing. I think they liked it. Troy's big fish was 18 lbs. Alex's was 10 lbs.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Nice fish Rsimms. Looks like they both had a good time and enjoyed it. Thanks for the post and the pics. Keeps those of us that is working wishing we could be out there.emoThumbsup

 

[craazyboutbass]

Nice looking fish! Bet ya told them about this site! Just as you did to me !

 

[drc]

I was on the bank catching skipjack for some catfishing later this week and happen to look up and saw you backing the G3 in a turbin hole. Looks like those two had a great time!
The guys on the bank were doing very well yesterday, I actually saw more fish being caught from the bank, didn't see too many boaters reeling them in. Two young guy's beside me were catching smallmouth faster than I could catch skipjack, they were using hair jigs on a drop-shot rig (Iv'e never seen that before) and an older fella was catching the heck out of striped bass in the 5-8lb range on small shad.

 

[rsimms]

I'm glad to hear the skipjack are there. Bluegill are really slowing down below the dam. I haven't really efforted skipjack yet, but it's time. Guess I need to get down there and stock up.

 

[polo-dog]

drc, which dam were you below?

 

[drc]

Chick

 

[JerDog]

drc,

How many generators were they running? I was there on Sat. and only one was going. Wonder if more generation really fired them up?

 

[coondog]

way-to-go simms, you sure know how to put people on fish, what did you use for bait?

 

[drc]

Jer-dog, they were only running one while I was there (until about 1:00pm), the one closest to the bank. The guy's catching the smallmouth were standing right in front of the turbin discharge and casting 5-10ft in front of them, like I said they were catching the smallies in the 1-3lb range on every cast. The guy catching the striped bass was making long casts across the boil right in between and under the boaters, he was doing very well. He was using a drop-shot rig of some sort with two hooks above his weight, he was catching them on dead shad. I know he was after cats because I have seen him there many times before, guess he just got lucky with the bass.

 

[drc]

Jer-dog, one other thing. I have only fished below Chick dam one time from a boat and that was with rsimms. I usually fish there from the bank for bait and take it up on the lake. From what I have seen over the last few years the bank fishing is usually better with one (maybe two) generators running closest to the bank. I think it consentrates the fish better for shore bound anglers. I know during the summer when they are running 3 or more turbins catching skipjack can be tough, I think it's because they can use the entire face of the dam to hunt food in the current and that puts them out of casting range. I could be wrong though, lol!

 

[rsimms]

coondog - 5/22/2006 6:26 PM
way-to-go simms, you sure know how to put people on fish, what did you use for bait?

I've been using bluegill since the threadfin have quit running good. If I'm just fishing for any size fish I'll take one big bluegill filet and slice it into 2, maybe 3 pieces. And bluegill is tough... you can usually catch several fish on one bait so just a few bluegill will go a long ways. If I'm specifically fishing for big cats, I'll use a whole bluegill (butterflied). But with drc talking about skipjacks, I'll be getting down there to try to load up a few of them for the freezer.

 

[rsimms]

drc - 5/22/2006 6:49 PM
I think it's because they can use the entire face of the dam to hunt food in the current and that puts them out of casting range. I could be wrong though, lol!

drc... you're exactly right. The fish concentrate in current and with only the Number One generator (close to shore) running, that's where they'll be. However if multiple generators are running the fish spread out. If Number Three and Number Four generators are running, the folks on the bank are screwed. That's when I'll catch skipjack between the Number Four boil and the short wingwall. And FYI, the exact same is true when the stripers are running. If they're only running Number One generator, I can actually do better fishing from bank than I can from the boat. But if Three and Four are running, you're generally out-of-luck from shore.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Man..thats looks fun.

I used to go with a guy named Jim Crouch years ago then due to a falling out, I havent been back.

So Richard....do CCF members get discounts? LOL!

Great fish. Glad they enjoyed it!

 

[Buoy-Master]

Hey...since I havent been in the game in quite a few years, how are you rigging your line? Can I ask thatemoWorthy please?

 

[rsimms]

BBass - 5/22/2006 7:48 PM

Hey...since I havent been in the game in quite a few years, how are you rigging your line? Can I ask thatemoWorthy please?

Two ways.... in still water I'm using light tackle. Standard spinning rod, heavy action with 12# test w/20# shock leader, 1/4 oz. split shot, 4/0 Kahle hook. Light tackle but I really believe that in still water catfish like the "natural" presentation of s low drifting bait. However in current, going after big fish, I switch to heavy tackle, catfish rod, baitcasting reel loaded with 50# braided line w/3-way swivel. 3 oz. sinker and 7/0 Daiichi circle hooks. I want the heavy weight to maintain solid contact with the bottom while drifting. I just barely jig bait up and down and I want to feel that sinker "thump" everytime it touches bottom.... that is until a big cat "thumps" back.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Thanks Richard.

Maybe I'll get out there soon but I get alittle nervous around that dam.

 

[rsimms]

BBass - 5/23/2006 7:21 AM
Thanks Richard.
Maybe I'll get out there soon but I get alittle nervous around that dam.

I understand... it is wise to respect the water. However with time and practice you'll learn to navigate the tailwaters with ease.