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Post by Varmint_Sniper on Mar 29, 2011 19:21:19 GMT -5
Let's do a channel cat Q & A like the Flathead post section
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Post by Varmint_Sniper on Mar 30, 2011 19:03:58 GMT -5
Where do you look for channel cats in a lake this time a year? what rig's work the best? bottom,float? what is the best bait? Shad live or cut, chub's ,gill's? Is it to early to run the clicker's on the ambassador reel's?
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Mar 30, 2011 19:36:06 GMT -5
If I had to guess I would say that the channels are near the mouths of tributaries this time of year, in both lakes and rivers. I believe that they have moved into the mouths looking for food that the spring rain will bring them. If I had to use the baits you listed I would use shad, simply because they are easier to get this time of year. Where i fish for chubs, its hard to get them in early spring. I would toss shad out on bottom with a circle hook, lock the reel down and let the fish hook itself. Don't overlook nightcrawler though, it's probably my overall favorite bait for channels if you can avoid the small fish.
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Post by ducky on Mar 31, 2011 16:06:27 GMT -5
Its geting a little late for this bite but you still should find a bunch of channels on wind swept banks where winterkilled shad have been pushed up aginst, i would use cut shad.
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Post by katfish on Mar 31, 2011 16:09:20 GMT -5
Any time of year you can locate channel cats by finding the most abundant food source.
My problem is that I usually locate forktails then learn why they are there because of what is in there stomach. I'm like a step behind my own advice ;D
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Post by Catfishrollo on Mar 31, 2011 20:36:15 GMT -5
Like ducky said, wind blown banks are good in the spring. Also, look to target the shallow flats that often warm up in the mid afternoon. Goodluck... rollo
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Post by dreadnaught on Mar 31, 2011 20:50:34 GMT -5
Any time of year you can locate channel cats by finding the most abundant food source. My problem is that I usually locate forktails then learn why they are there because of what is in there stomach. I'm like a step behind my own advice ;D Happens to the best of us, LOL!!! |
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fishstick11
Member
Hunting for flattys with friends... Is their anything better
Posts: 177
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Post by fishstick11 on Mar 31, 2011 22:17:31 GMT -5
what do you guys recommend for a narrow and deep river..... thats fairly muddy......
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Post by Catfishrollo on Mar 31, 2011 22:26:42 GMT -5
Dont be affraid to check out the inside bends adjacent from the river channel and current. Esp. in highwater situations! These are overlooked hotspots in my opinion for staging and feeding fish... rollo
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Post by Varmint_Sniper on Apr 5, 2011 16:08:47 GMT -5
Its geting a little late for this bite but you still should find a bunch of channels on wind swept banks where winterkilled shad have been pushed up aginst, i would use cut shad. Ducky.....thank you will give it a go if i make it out this weekend ? |
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Post by rcbbracing on Apr 7, 2011 10:40:37 GMT -5
This early in the year do you think channelcats are feeding primarily during day? I was kind of thinking shallow bays warmed by the sun but never do good early in the year so I dunno lol
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Post by Varmint_Sniper on Apr 7, 2011 19:54:23 GMT -5
Like i said over the phone today bay's with mud flat's no more than 5ft deep i would think......Also try around the rip rap warming water mean shad move in to spawn and the cat's follow Remember the Spot ? in May with Matt for the tourney? we were covered in cat's that night what was it 13channel cat's total weight 45lb or so? Wish i would have had a flathead pole out that night.....Sniper
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Post by rockbass on Apr 8, 2011 19:36:46 GMT -5
today at Seneca live minnows were key to channels. They were anywhere from 1 ft of water near a pretty shallow flat to 5-6 ft of water near 15 ft of water. They did not want dead minnows. Did not try shad. All during the day today. the daytime bite is just as good as night right now. I should be on Tappan or Leesville after channels tomorrow. Hope I have somethin worth posting.
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Post by Varmint_Sniper on Apr 21, 2011 19:05:12 GMT -5
When the water run's high where do you look for channel's in Lake's & River's? What rig do you like to fish and what bait's work well?
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Post by rockbass on Apr 21, 2011 23:23:35 GMT -5
When the water run's high where do you look for channel's in Lake's & River's? What rig do you like to fish and what bait's work well? I still use shad if I can.....but have also done well on crawlers fishing fresh rain runoff. I fish the same rigs as usual. slip rig with and without a float on the leader. |
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