How much do you read?

[Seanstone]

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.

[luckeywade]

thanks for the reading tips. i enjoy readingon fourms. an talking with others.

[papaw714]

Thanks Sean,yes reading can open many doors and stimulate the mind. When it comes to catfishing or fishing in general works by Doug Stange and the rest of the In-Fisherman crew is hard to beat. I also believe reading the pointers and tips offered by fishing veterans on forums such as this forum that Kip has put together hold great value as well.

[Seanstone]

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.

[bigcatpat]

I still do a fair amount of reading Kip.I especially like checking up on flathead radio tracking studies.I feel that's where the most to be learned yet is.If ya count tackle catalogs,my reading goes way up!

[papaw714]

Sean I for one took no offense with anything you had to say infact I found it quite informative. I simply tried to give a plug to the many great catfishermen on this site that have freely given me so much help and advice. I hope you continue to write freely on this site because you are very well versed and positive. I can see you truly love to fish and have alot of knowledge to share, with that being said I don't see why anyone would be offended.

[Seanstone]

Sometimes things sound differently in my head than how they come out in words. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't offending anyone in any way shape or form. I understood your point above and I just wanted to clarify things a little.

[papaw714]

Sean all is well, just kick back and enjoy the positive for that is why Kip built this site.To answer your question I enjoy reading all types of hunting and fishing books and magazines during the winter months, and Pat I'm with ya on the tackle catalogs.

[papaw714]

Having started catfishing in the 70's I can say yes the techniques are very similar today 30+yrs. later, the biggest difference I see today is the tackle,tech,and conservation. Sean that was very observant of you to bring up that point.

[Seanstone]

I didn't realize that the book was published in the 1980's until I had finished reading it. The wording was similar to fishing articles today. Most of the terminal tackle such as sinkers, swivels, and floats are all relatively similar. The only exception I found is that hooks today differ greatly by style, size, and finish. Circles, Kahles, Octopus, and etc. are all relatively new to catfishing.

[papaw714]

It sure was easier to pick a hook back then, pretty much just big or small. LOL

[Seanstone]

I've been reading the Doug Stange , Life & Times in Catfish Country and the book is laid out in chronological order from oldest to youngest. Starting in 1984 when the first catfish article was published in a magazine. He speaks about catfishing as if it were a secret, virtually under fished and under-respected as a game fish. I guess we still face problems with respect among the fishing population.

[Garry]

Mar 2, 2011 19:00:27 GMT -5 Seanstone said:

I didn't realize that the book was published in the 1980's until I had finished reading it. The wording was similar to fishing articles today. Most of the terminal tackle such as sinkers, swivels, and floats are all relatively similar. The only exception I found is that hooks today differ greatly by style, size, and finish. Circles, Kahles, Octopus, and etc. are all relatively new to catfishing.

Good observation on the hooks Sean with one exception .. Kahle hooks were being sold in early 1950s. They were sold then by a company called Herters, who sold about everything outdoors. The rest of the mentioned hooks are realatively new to the market.

Garry-

[katfish]

Kahle hooks were being sold in early 1950s

They were sold earlier than that. Originally used by European longliners in the oceans. Most companies called them English hooks and marketted them to trotline and limbline fishermen.

Sean
I read less and less each year. I'm getting old and even with glasses my eyes get tired of reading quickly. I've spent countless hours reading masters thesis from fisheries students or other scientific papers. All these had to be published for Masters degrees or to qualify for government funds.
For a short period these documents were public items accessable on the internet but now have become a subscription service. I have connections with a few fisheries managers who will fwd catfish related subjects but more often just email information they think is relevent before the papers are published.
The point about the scientific studies is you can evaluate lots of documented data and during winter theorize how you can use that knowledge to apply to fishing. This means I get to evaluate lots of the same data that IF sorts through and begin deciding before they publish what they feel is important.

BTW
I have a basic understanding of flathead and often consult with ODNR concerning theories I have to find if they can substantiate or find problems with my theories.

Just keep reading this website and I bet you learn more about Ohio catfish than doug Stange does.

[Seanstone]

Just keep reading this website and I bet you learn more about Ohio catfish than doug Stange does.

Without a doubt. The knowledge of 50+ catfish experts (last time i checked) is hard to compete with. During winter, especially i get an itch that cannot be scratched. I try to fill that void with readings, however I have found that such readings only intensify the urge to fish.