Very small river fishing

[fishstick11]

I want to fishing the small rivers by my house... They are the black fork and the clear fork rivers,but they make the Mohican river... They are all about 10 minutes from my house and I want to find lots of carp channels, and maby some baby flatheads... Anybody have any advice on how to find flatheads or any types of catfish in small rivers and streams

[Seanstone]

The folks at In-fisherman have spent much of their time fishing and writing about fishing for cats in small streams. I suggest buying catfish fever the book, and maybe even buying a few of the catfish fever dvds. All of what I am about to say, I have learned from their work.

Basically, the location of the catfish will be based on the structure and depth of the creek. Catfish like deep water with lots of wood/structure. Most small creeks are comprised of "riffles" (where shallow water meets a hard bottom..you can see these most of the time by seeing the water roll over the shallow hard bottom), "holes" (the areas directly after a riffle where the bottom is soft enough to erode out and form a hole), and "runs" (the areas after a hole that are where the sediment from the hole form a flat.)

Holes are also made by bends, or changes in direction in the creek. Long runs followed by a sharp bend usually produce the deepest holes in the creek. The water gains momentum through the run, and then slams into the bank where the creek changes direction. This creates a hole as the bottom sediment is eroded. These bends also collect debri from high water in the spring. (And as you may know wood is a very good attractant to cats.) Find a deep hole on a bend with lots of structure and you will find cats....no doubt.

Another thing to note is: Depth of a hole is relative. Meaning a hole may only be 5 or 6 feet deep if the rest of the creek is 2 feet. Just because a hole is only 5 or 6 feet deep doesn't mean it wont hold cats, especially if thats the deepest hole of water in a mile stretch of creek.

Something that has helped me with fishing creeks is satalite images. You can find them on google earth, yahoo maps, and various other map programs. You can follow the stream and mark each bend in the stretch of water you want to fish. This will let you know where to focus you efforts, which landowners to contact and gain permission to park and or fish. Also be realistic, if your going to wade the creek and catfish, don't go more than a mile or two each way, don't go by yourself, and pack light. Hope this helps

Good bait for creek cats are nightcrawlers, crawdads, and creek chubs (cut or alive).

I can not stress enough the depth of knowledge that is shared in the in-fisherman literature. If you can, ask for it for your birthday, christmas, or ect. You will find that the info you learn from reading literature will last much longer than video games, television, toys, etc.

If you have any more questions let me know and I'll share what I know

[Catfishrollo]

Fishing small streams or rivers can be easy, or frustrating from my experience. Lots of smaller systems can and will hold good fish, and pin-pointing holes can be easy at times. However, from what I learned... They can change dramatically!! Esp. during the warm months. Water levels can rise and drop fast, along with water temps. Alot of these smaller rivers are obviously affected by larger systems. Fish do migrate to and from during the season because of this. With that said.... To give ya an idea, If I was to just fish a small river the entire year, I would def. pay attention and target a section of that < river or stream> that has an easy access to a larger system close by. A deeper than average hole for that river in that section. And look to setup below good looking riffles during the low water and hottest months! Goodluck.... rollo

[fishstick11]

I have been very bored... Do you think it is a bad idea to try to fish now... I wanna start as soon as I can... I know that rivers and streams don't freeze as often because of the current... Is it worth the time

[Seanstone]

My immediate answer is yes. Any fishing is better than sitting at home. However fish, especially cats are hard to catch in the winter. However if you find a good hole you will find good numbers of cats wintering in it.

My advise would be to scout out your creek this time of year. Maybe bring two rods, one for catfishing and the other for smallmouth. Smallmouth usually bite pretty well in the winter so it may help to set one rod out for cats and cast the other rod for smallmouth. A jig and white grub is a hard combination to beat. Fish it slow. You might even tip a jig with nightcrawler and bounce it off bottom. This way you give yourself a shot at all sorts of species....gills, chubs, rockbass, largemouth, smallmouth,carp, suckers, and of course cats. Good luck

[fishstick11]

Thanks so much for the reply Seanstone... That river is full of smallmouth and everything else you mentioned... It's a clearer river, would this affect the numbers of flatheads... It leads into the muskingum very far down and lakes that lead into these rivers do have a number of flatheads... They are full of feeder fish... I even thrownetted about 50 shad and they were all very strong I got them to stay alive for a couple days, but I said this so show the number of bait fish

[Smoothkip]

My buddy has caught a few Flatheads up the Mohican at Brinkhaven. I also caught that small flat below the spillway at Charles Mill. There's Flatheads I'n the Blackfork I'm sure of it. I would target deep hard bottom areas first.

[fishstick11]

I've seen a baby come from under the 430 bridge... And Brinkhaven has too many giant turtles

[banksidebandit]

Supposed to be a little warmer this weekend, so if it doesn't rain too much and flood the rivers too bad I'll be out. I've been wanting to check out a few spots in a small river by my house and I'll definitely have a pole or two with me.

When you guys target flatheads in the smaller rivers do you set up on one good deep hole or do you jump around a lot?

[fishstick11]

Jan 9, 2013 0:11:08 GMT -5 banksidebandit said:

Supposed to be a little warmer this weekend, so if it doesn't rain too much and flood the rivers too bad I'll be out. I've been wanting to check out a few spots in a small river by my house and I'll definitely have a pole or two with me.

When you guys target flatheads in the smaller rivers do you set up on one good deep hole or do you jump around a lot?

Thanks for asking that I wanted to ask that to but I forgot. In a small river I'm gonna look for the deepest hole and wait a while

[Smoothkip]

I usually just scout out the best looking spots and setup and fish the whole nite at each spot. Got to give it some time I'n my opinion.

[Smoothkip]

A lot of smaller systems might be good I'n the spring and beg of summer but as the water drops I'n late summer after the spawn I don't believe they produce as well. The fish will travel back down to deeper water again.

[fishstick11]

Well would flatheads act like channel cats in their early years and travel a lot or do you guys think they would act like a mature flathead and stick to cover and rarely venture out other than for food... It's seems like flatheads seem to stay seated while channels go and wonder around, is this how you guys view them or is it different

[Smoothkip]

I believe the smaller flatheads move more when there small due to having to compete with other small flatheads and channels for food. They also get pushed out of prime habitat by bigger flatheads! very rare do I catch small flatheads and big flatheads together I'n the same hole. Then again this Is I'n spring and summer. Fall time I believe there all moving more. we always do best with numbers I'n the fall.

[fishstick11]

Ok thank for the advice kip