Thursday, March 28, 2024

ON FISHING Whiskers in the summer

Posted

Just like any kind of fishing, patterning catfish in the summer is required. That means trying different depths, locations and baits to coax a bite.

 

In the summer, catfish are generally known to feed more at night. Early morning and late afternoon can be productive at times. This does not mean they won't feed during the day but are more likely to feed late. All bets are off when a good downpour with runoff occurs. Most every catfish angler knows that the fish will feed in murky running water most any time of the day. Just pray for rain right now.

 

It is a good idea when fishing at night to try several different depths. They may move in shallow to feed. It is also good to present your bait on the edge of some deeper water. If you are in the vicinity of some cats, the use of stink baits or chum to bring them in is always a good idea whether you fish at night or day.

Trotlines running along a channel break are effective in putting the bait near the fish. Running these lines and checking them periodically through the night can be a blast. If the location does not produce any fish, move the line to another area. Look for creek beds or channel cuts.

Channel cats are caught on a variety of baits. Some of the most popular are stink baits, cut-bait, shrimp, worms and chicken livers. Rotting milo or maize is typically used to bait holes or to stir up the bite, however diced up baitfish will work as well. Don't overfeed with the chum, just enough to get them going.

Channel cats can take live bait as well, but the yellow cat is better known for taking live perch, minnows or shad. Blue cats can be caught on a variety of baits as well, but this species is known to take live bait. In the summer, I will on occasion catch blues in the same areas as the stripers/hybrids hold. They will take large live shad or cut-shad. Many folks will drift live cut bait either off the boat or with the use of jug lines to catch these summer catfish.

When fishing smaller creeks, look for the deeper pools. This is where the fish will be holding. When they do decide to feed, this is where you need to be. Catfish will hold near or under structure waiting in ambush or just resting. I like to fish these areas after a good rain if we can get some rain as I alluded to earlier.

The most used catfishing technique is what I call "still" fishing. Still fishing is basically tossing your bait out with your bait of choice on the bottom and wait for the fish to bite. Another option is to fish your bait under a float. This will allow the bait to flow with the current, and it may be needed to get your bait off the bottom at times. If you are to still fish out of a boat, try double anchoring to ensure your boat stays in one position.

There are many rigs that folks use for catfish. A Carolina rig with the weight above the hook is popular. Another popular rig is placing the hook(s) on a leader above the weight. Treble hooks are popular. Prepared "stink" baits are generally fished on a special treble hook worm rig that you dip in the bait.

Catfish can on be caught on artificial baits, though few folks go after them with artificials. I have caught catfish on jigs, spoons and crankbaits fishing for other species.

Patience is a virtue with all kinds of fishing, especially catfishing. When the cats turn on, it is well worth the wait. If this time of year is too hot during the day for you, you might try fishing at night for these sporting fish.

FISHING REPORT

Lake Granbury lake level is around a foot low and falling. Water temperatures vary from the middle 80s to low 90s. Thermoclines are present in some areas. White bass and small striped bass are schooling early from Indian Harbor to Sandy Point. Keeper striped bass are slow to fair on the lower ends in 15 to 20 feet of water. Crappies are good on small minnows fished near structure, timber and bridge pilings. Catfish are good on cut-shad near creek channels near structure (timber) mid-lake. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics fished near creek entrances, points and docks on many areas of the lake.

On other reservoirs, Lake Whitney limits of striped bass are common on live shad fished from the State Park area to Bee Bluffs. Possum Kingdom is boasting on some of the biggest striped bass on the Brazos and they are good on live bait and downrigging jigs with worm trailers from near Hell’s Gate to the dam.