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Anybody have any tips and tactics for blue cats. Got a couple decent blue cat lakes close. I have heard people drift for them. How do you rig you poles for drifting and what do you use for bait? Also what depths are you guys plying to find these beasts?
I keep it simple. I set up a basic carolina rig type set up. Egg sinker above a bead...tied to barrel swivel...then a leader to the hook. I try to keep the line vertical in the water when drifting...so sinker weight is kind of dependent on how fast I am drifting.
I set rods in rod holders so I use circle hooks. I use cut gizzard shad for bait. Depths vary based on what I'm seeing on the depth finder...but I'm often just a few feet up off the bottom. A lot of time I'll just drop the line until the sinker hits bottom then reel anywhere from 1 - 3 turns of the reel handle.
I also use my I-pilot to control drifts most the time...some times I'll spot lock an area and hold if I like what I'm seeing on the electronics. Drift socks can also be a big help to control your drift.
Just curious what lakes are planning on targeting blue catfish allot of the lakes in kansas are still establishing themselves as quality fisheries for these fish. Many lakes have gotten there first stocking in the last few years. Milford for example has taken a good decade to get to where it is now. Maybe harder depending on location.
Santee Cooper rig with cutbait. Should be able to get some fish right now if you can drift slowly around deep channel bends close to some shallower flats. You can anchor and fish a slip sinker rig with cutbait, but don't be afraid to be mobile doing this. If I'm anchoring I'll give a spot 30 minutes to produce, if nothing happens it's on to the next spot. Melvern, Coffey County, and La Cygne all have very fishable populations of blues with some real quality fish too.
I don't know what lake your fishing but from everything I hear milford is king in Kansas. It's been around 20 years since they originally stocked it with blues. And last year was the first time that an 80# was brought in during a tournament. Blues should really pick up in the next couple of weeks. Fresh shad for bait dead or alive is in my experience king of baits for them. Don't be afraid to use large baits. I usually use a Carolina rig with a 3oz sinker, barrel swivel, and a 5/0 Khale hook in about a 24" leader. Fish where the wind is blowing into the shore.
You have a PM
Want to hit Melvern and Coffey County. Both are a short drive from the house.
For those of you that are interested in catfishing you may want to check out catfish1.com it is a website very similar to this one that has state forums that allot of fisherman give current reports and there are allot of guys willing to share knowledge.
I agree I visit it quite a big tons of useful information.Quote:
Originally Posted by skinner80
Zebra Mussels:yikes... every blue cat that I have caught at Milford while crappie fishing spits up gobs of zebra mussels!!:biggrin
I use bottom bouncing rigs drifting for Blues. We put on a 3 way swivel with other two ties using 18'' line . Hook on one and lead weight about oz or what ever it takes to keep bait down. Fresh Skip Jack or Shad works good. On the Arkansas River we have used Turkey liver with great results. Wind or light current bump bottom and bait is up off the bottom.