Was out Saturday and caught about a dozen channels in 20 ft of water on CJ's fishing straight down in a pretty heavy wind. It was the strangest bite ever. I'd drop down to the bottom and when I picked up on the weight (2 split shot) the fish would be there. Never felt a bite all day, they would just appear on the line. Sometimes it felt like the bait was sort of "sticking" to the bottom a little and it would be a fish. I fished the same spot twice, once early and then in the afternoon and I am sure in hindsight that I was missing this super light bite in the am because I just couldn't imagine a bite like this. Once I stumbled into one I slowly became aware of what was going on. Pretty amazing. The fish were whitish blue/pink, cold looking. Water temps 54 degrees. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of deadstick bite for catfish in the winter? It's like they were barely alive down there. Very interesting.

Ollie

Sounds like they we're cold and out of money. Nothin worse. Lol!

I've had the same thing happen to me on Somerville. The cats were just taking it in the mouth and not moving.

Water must be too cold for them to be very active.

Crappie bite is similar. They inhale the bait and stay still. Might see your line go limp or a very minimal twitch of the end of the rod. Set the hook and a fish is there.

Ollie, Glad to see you figured that bite out. I was schooled by a long time friend of mine who is a cat fish guide on Lake Conroe. We fish the edge of the river channel in 15-25 foot of water . We use dip bait on a sponge. Drop to the bottom, turn about a half crank to get it just off the bottom. Try to keep your rod tip as still as possible and if you see it twitch down even the slightest, set the hook. there's a channel cat on the end. Never knew you could catch cats this way. I was used to waiting for them to jerk the rod hard. And they will on live and cut bait. With stink baits I actually think they suck it off the hook. Sometimes, especially under high barom. pressure the bite is so light, you have to concentrate so hard watching that it's almost like work. But it turns into fun when that rod bends. Baldy Locks

You've got it. No matter how hard I concentrated I could not dial into that bite. Every time I felt like I had been caught off guard and I feel like if I didn't pay really close attention that I was going to miss bites. It was a whole different way of fishing. What fun!