Fishing help?

Question

yeah so ive got pretty addicted to catfishing in lakes,ponds, and rivers here lately. Im really new to the whole fishing experience and i would like to become fairly wiser when it comes to catching those catfish.

ive been fishing for channel cats in a acre size pond...the weather here is about 90 degrees.

i would greatly appreciate your input on the right baits to use: cutbait, stinkbait, prepared dough bait...etc. and the types of fishing techniques i should start to use.

thanks alot

Answer 1

First off, fishing is the world's greatest sport and I am happy to hear that you are getting addicted to it. In the summertime, at this moment, channel cats are spawning so they are aggressive.

The best bait for catfish, and there is nothing even close, is cut, stinky mackerel. What you want to do is cut a bunch of that up, stick it in a bag and let it get warm. One hour before you fish, chum the area by throwing the mackerel all around the area you want to fish and then put some on your hook and hold on. Further, the best rig is a simple split shot 24 inches above a treble hook.

Answer 2

Another Bluegill vote again...next I would try crayfish if you can find any... kill them and use them on the bottom - they will find them.

Answer 3

If you are fishing in a farm pond, I would use a cut strip form a bream/bluegill.  At the various ponds on my farm ( I have 26 of them) a cut bait seems to catch the larger fish.  

Stinkbait/livers work great, but a scent of prey tends to bring the strikes form the big ones.

Answer 4

in an acre size pond in 90 degree heat there are a few things you should be mindful of right off:

oxygen levels in the deeper water will be much less than in shallower areas so all species will be in skinnier water.

fish early and late in the day or at night. that's not to say that fish won't be catchable at other times but many more will be caught at the times i've mentioned.

3 days before and 3 days after a full moon are ALWAYS the best times for good fishing and biggest fish.

as far as baits go, for cats, the baits you've indicated are all good but live bait- shiners, suckers, small bluegill are the "go to" baits for big cat's- of any species.

as far as terminal tackle goes the most important thing and one that can't be stressed enough is CIRCLE HOOKS!! other hooks,especially trebles, will catch the fish but will in all likelihood kill the fish and what good would that be on a 10" fish that's not worht keeping? circle hooks will almost always hook the fish in the corner of the mouth instead of the fish swallowing the hook and getting "gut hooked." also, with circle hooks, you DON'T set the hook, it sets itself as the fish swims off.

good abraision resistant line or braided line work well and leaders aren't needed. split shot or egg sinkers work well but you will do better using live bait under a bobber to allow the bait to swim freely.

in such a small pond the most important advice i can give you is "CATCH and RELEASE!" it won't take long to deplete the large fish and they get large for a reason- they are wary and have superior genes. the only way to maintain that gene pool is to throw back the big one's. if you want to eat some smaller one's go right ahead but keep in mind what i've said-one day YOUR kids may want to fish that pond so leave some for them!

grab a book or two on cats-they are fascinating hunters in their own right and not just "bottom feeders." check out "bassmater's", "in-fisherman," and "north american fisherman" magazines and websites. they will show good rigging techniques.

one more thing, check out the site i've included or any other by Dr. Rose

TIGHT LINES my new found friend on the water.

http://fishscam.com/faqPain.cfm

  

Answer 5

Depending on where you are, fish for non-game fish: northern pike minnow (squaw fish), chisel mouth, chub, &/or suckers. Don't clean them, put them in the fridge, let them sit out for a couple hours before you go fishing to let them warm up a bit. Then cut them into chunks to use on your hook.

Split weights are fine in a pond, tube weights in a river (about 24" above your bait on a split line).

Using a good 8-12' pole with 20-60lb test line is preferred. I use a level wind reel but you might want an open face reel.

Good luck to ya!

Answer 6

chicken liver or blood meal.

Answer 7

no.dont use bluegill.well its okay but not amazing.take pantyhose and cut a little piece.tie the bottom togeather to make a little bag with the top open.put like chicken or turkey or roastbeast or tamato or lettuse.anything.then tie the top to make a little bag.then put a big hook through it.the hook sticking out alittle.theres one way.now u could use worms.nightcrawlers or bloodworms.that kinda thing.those are okay.cast them out with a wieght or two and let them sit.when your fishing with anything.cast it out as far in the middle as you can.let it st on bottom for about mmm.10 minutes.then reel in about a foot every 5 min after that.u can use any mean.hotdog or turkey or whatever..goodluck fishing.if u need more help look online.google.goodluck.and try everything.

Answer 8

Here's another vote for cut bluegill.  You can't beat the bait they eat all the time.