TOOK THE LADIES CATFISHING

[Hotwater]

A couple of months ago I was telling one of the ladies in our church (Saralyn) about how people catch catfish using "noodles". She said that was something she would like to try. I told her we would take her when she got ready. I think most of you know my opinion of catfish as it has been expressed on the crappie forum in the past. In fact I do not own any noodles. I had to borrow the noodles from Jim, my fishing partner, as I had never intentionally caught catfish on Lake Oconee. Well yesterday was the big day. My wife and I picked up Saralyn at 6:30 and we all headed for Blue Springs Marina on Lake Oconee. We got on the water around 8:00 and put out 25 noodles baited with shad and bream. We put them out between the railroad trestle and I-20. We caught one 10 inch catfish. We had several bites and had to re-bait several of the noodles. At 11:00 we went to the Marina and ate lunch. We discussed our situation as the "guide" was on the spot. I didn't want the ladies to lose interest and the day was getting hotter. I started making excuses like "I've never done this before" and "this is fishing". I told them that all I promised was a free boat ride. I wonder if real guides ever tell clients that?
Anyhow, after lunch we moved half the noodles upriver closer to the trestle and the other half we placed above the trestle. We also paid closer attention to how we baited the hooks hoping that would help. The fish finally caught on to what we were trying to do and we started catching them at midday. We fished until 2:00 and ended the day with over 20 lbs. of fish. The biggest was 9 lbs and the next biggest was 5 lbs along with 3 more in the 2.5-3 lb range. I was proud of the girls. They cut bait and baited hooks like old pros. You can tell by the smile on Saralyn's face that she enjoyed her day on the water. We all did. The fish fry is Sunday.

Now I have to pressure wash the inside of my boat. What a mess. Did I say I hate catfish?