Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Mar 2, 2011 16:35:35 GMT -5
There is no doubt that the information within this forum and others are invaluable. Its actually interesting to hear multiple voices on topics such as catfishing. Certainly there is no right way or wrong way to fish for them. I was just curious to see what others were reading during their down time. I did not mean to offend or insult anyone by belittling their knowledge and or oppinions. I simply wanted to further my personal knowledge.
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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 2, 2011 15:42:19 GMT -5
Ha, thats a great story. My dad caught my little brothers pole a few years ago, he fell asleep and forgott to open his bail. A little carp swam by and pulled it right into the water, he was glad to have his pole back the next morning.
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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 2, 2011 12:53:39 GMT -5
I have been reading fishing books, magazines, and articles pretty consistently since December. I was curious to see if anyone else read overwinter to ease the cabin fever? Since December I have read over 10 books, and dozens of magazines most of them pertaining to catfishing, but others include bait, rigs, and tackle books, bass books, spawning pattern books, etc. I just recently started reading Life & Times in Catfish Country by Doug Stange, and i would highly recommend it to catfishermen of all experience levels. He uses stories of Zacker (old trot-liner) and Toad Smith to illustrate and share his fishing knowledge. Other books I recommend include the In-Fisherman Critical Concepts Catfish series books 1-3, there was supposed to be a fourth but I don't think they have released it yet. I also recommend How to Rig and Fish natural baits, written by Byron Dalrymple. This book was published in the early 1980's and contains information that has been lost along the way or just forgotten. Its interesting to see how similar our fishing techniques are almost 30 years later.
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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 2, 2011 12:29:00 GMT -5
At the beginning of last year I used 25lb big game, but I kept hearing stories of people losing fish and I made up my mind that I needed to get some sturdier line. A friend told me about a new co-polymer line called silverthread. He told me that it would be more abrasion resistant than monofilament. I have been using it for a few months and I have had no problems with it. (Its only 30lb test) I still find it hard to believe that people use anything over 30lb test. Its darn near impossible to break that stuff, there has been several times where i though that i was going to break my pole trying to get out of a snag. I have even wrapped a bottle up in the line and walked backwards to break it, and most of the time I still have to cut my line. As long as you tie good knots 30lb test is all you need. I also understand that big flats and blues can rough up your line with their rough patches, so a leader of stronger test is acceptable. Other than that I see no point in huge line.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 28, 2011 20:09:44 GMT -5
You would get like 20 yards tops. ;D
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 28, 2011 13:46:35 GMT -5
Do you have a boat smooth? Most lakes are over fished from easy access points and its almost necessary to use a boat to catch Flatheads. I have fished Rocky Fork Lake in Highland County for years and i have never caught a flathead out of there. I know that their in there because I have seen people catch them. It was so bad that a friend and I began calling the Flatheads unicorns because you had the same rate of finding a unicorn as you did catching a flathead. We went lake hoping for a while and found a nice lake that wasn't fished as hard and had immediate success. Out of 10 trips we caught Flatheads 8 nights, not too bad compared to dozens of trips on the other lake with no Flatheads. Usually I look for structure in 4-12 foot of water (the larger the better) , look for a good food supply (bluegills or shad), a nice place to feed like a beach/flat/Rip rap adjacent to the structure, and if all requirements are met i spend a couple of nights fishing that spot. If i don't catch anything i move to other structure. I'm no expert but this is the equation I have found to work on lakes.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 28, 2011 13:25:07 GMT -5
You guys fishing lakes or rivers? It seems that alot of people beleive that flatheads are larger in lakes. Their arguement is something like: the current causes the fish to use more energy making thier matabolism higher and therefore they have to eat more to maintain body weight. Unlike lakes where a fish can lay dormant in his hole and feed at will. It makes sense to me that the larger flats would be found in lakes, but im no expert.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 28, 2011 12:52:57 GMT -5
Im shooting for a 40lb+ flat and a 12lb+ Channel. Nothing too special, Id be happier if I get my friend on his pb flat this year, 15lbs+.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 28, 2011 12:44:33 GMT -5
I also have an American Spirit rod i used back when i used to fish paylakes. Its 12 foot tall and its a beast, I've landed numerous 20-30 lb fish on it and one 67lb blue. Never had any problems with it, i just quit fishing paylakes and i cant use anything over 8 or 9 feet where i fish anyway. Catfishhunter if your interested in 12 footers i also have a 12 foot diawa beef stick for sale. Its only been used 2 or 3 times and in excelent condition. The american spirit has been used quite a bit and it has some dings in it where the sinkers have banged up on it, but still in good working condition. I'll take $30 for both of them if you come and get them close to where I live, and extra gas money if you wanna meet somewhere. As of now they are in Adams County but i can bring them to Butler in two weeks. (I have spring break next week.)
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 27, 2011 21:07:22 GMT -5
Just to follow up with what smoothkip said: I just read an article in Ohio game and Fish (March) called "Searching for Sheds." The author stated that anyone could hunt for sheds without a licence or permit. I think if you find a dead deer with antlers still attatched then a game warden needed to be contacted in order to make that rack legal.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 27, 2011 20:07:58 GMT -5
Looks great, good job man.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 27, 2011 19:52:21 GMT -5
Went shed hunting this weekend for the first time. I had a friend share some pointers with me, but they weren't enough. I didn't find any but I found a lot of rubs, so the deers must be ready to drop them. Has anyone found any this year? and Do you have any pointers? I live on a 80 acre farm in Northern Adams County, we share a boundary with Brush Creek State Forest. Our plot of land has several creeks and old fences that run through it. Thanks, Sean Stone
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 24, 2011 20:00:07 GMT -5
Thanks, I thought about getting a replica mount, but I didn't feel like spending $300. A picture works for now.
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Feb 24, 2011 19:34:58 GMT -5
I target them in order to achieve master angler status through the fish ohio program. Once I get a trophy size fish I usually give them up though. Last year I caught a 9 inch Redear Sunfish and a 16"(2 pound 3 ounce) White Crappie. However, the time I caught the crappie I was bass fishing. Attachments:
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