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Is there something to key in on River catfish?
#11461340
03/07/16 07:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
Hey yall, This past Saturday, I lost the opportunity to take the kayak to the coast, so I went instead to the Brazos river to try to some river bank catfishing near Simonton. To my surprise, the water level was much higher than I thought, while the current was strong as well (we haven't gotten any rain for a while). In short, I was there for about 4 hours and got skunked. The only thing I hook and landed where pieces of timber. My questions for this particular day would be: In rivers, where would catfish typically like to hang out at? Is there something that could be keyed in on?(Near structure, behind structure, in strong current, in weak/no current pools?)
Last edited by AdanV; 03/07/16 07:23 PM.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11461420
03/07/16 07:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 39
Ian679
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 39 |
Depends on how strong the current is. If it's strong enough that u have trouble having a 4oz weight hold I like to target behind structures where the current "swirls" and a little down river of a sharp bend. The current beats on the wall creating swirling current and digs out deep holes where the cats can relax and pick out bait fish. Ivr had much luck with these few things
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11461648
03/07/16 09:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
Thanks for the response and details. I still have a lot to learn about catfishing in rivers.
I was casting a 3-way rig with a 2oz disc sinker. In areas where there was current, the 2oz wasn't enough (it took off downstream as soon as it hit the water). I did find some pools of calmer water where I had my line tapped a few times. However, I couldn't tell whether it was catfish nibbling, or just submerged broken timber rubbing against it.
I've been to this area about 4 times now. Twice I was skunked, and twice I had a decent day. The 2 times it was decent, the water level was very low and current was steady and calm. The times I got skunked, the water was high up and strong.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11461741
03/07/16 10:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,945
Big Zee
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,945 |
Always remember in a river, when the current is strong, the fish half to use more effort to get their meal. Like was said, look for the swirl or eddy. On times when the river is calm and normal, make notes to yourself of areas where there are gravel bars, brushpiles or other structure. When the water comes up, these might be good spots to hold cats. Also hanging tree limbs close to the bank, in calm water, are good places to look for cats. The Brazos is a big river and it can be hard to read. But with time on the water, it will come to you. Also, be careful in high water on the Brazos or any river, the whirlpools can lead you to the under current real fast. I've seen flatbottom boats with a 20 hp motor have problems in the high current. Lot of water came down the river last year. When the summer months get here, should be great fishing!
Hebrews 11:1
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11462956
03/08/16 02:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11463170
03/08/16 04:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665
Muzzlebrake
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665 |
If the water is muddy and rising the cats will feed right along the edge of the bank. Normal water I like to fish in the eddys right below a sand bar or riffle. Cats will stack up in the eddy pools waiting for food to drop down to them. Much like democrats. Cast into the swift water and let it drift naturally down into the pool. I also like fishing log jams and brush piles but get ready to lose so hooks and weights. Shad gizzards and hand dug earth worms are sure fire baits.
Last edited by Muzzlebrake; 03/08/16 04:12 PM.
From Genesis: "And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth."
Then He made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11464087
03/08/16 09:40 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 580
erittmueller
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 580 |
Rivers and creeks are my favorite for fishing for catfish. Target the following spots: Outside of sharp bends, especially if there is an undercut with tree roots sticking out. Inside of bends if there is a sand bar, fish where the water slows. Circular eddies, float rigs work great for finding them. Medium flow or deeper water that has fallen timber in it is $$$$$$, the big ones sit under the logs and ambush prey, if you find a tree fallen over in the river you most likely found a 10+ pound cat minimum. Go get'em bud!
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: Muzzlebrake]
#11464140
03/08/16 09:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
If the water is muddy and rising the cats will feed right along the edge of the bank. Normal water I like to fish in the eddys right below a sand bar or riffle. Cats will stack up in the eddy pools waiting for food to drop down to them. Much like democrats. Cast into the swift water and let it drift naturally down into the pool. I also like fishing log jams and brush piles but get ready to lose so hooks and weights. Shad gizzards and hand dug earth worms are sure fire baits. Thanks Muzzle. Often the water where I'm located is pretty much always muddy. I do recall seeing some sand bars around on GoogleEarth. It'll take a bit of walking, but I don't mind.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: erittmueller]
#11464151
03/08/16 09:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
Rivers and creeks are my favorite for fishing for catfish. Target the following spots: Outside of sharp bends, especially if there is an undercut with tree roots sticking out. Inside of bends if there is a sand bar, fish where the water slows. Circular eddies, float rigs work great for finding them. Medium flow or deeper water that has fallen timber in it is $$$$$$, the big ones sit under the logs and ambush prey, if you find a tree fallen over in the river you most likely found a 10+ pound cat minimum. Go get'em bud! Thanks erittmueller. All this info definitely helps alot. Whenever I fished in lakes or ponds, I would just pull out the Navionics app and focus in areas that had significant depth changes. Hopefully I can go back soon and will post a report afterwards.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11465519
03/09/16 02:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,135
Corey Stanley
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,135 |
Rivers and creeks are my favorite for fishing for catfish. Target the following spots: Outside of sharp bends, especially if there is an undercut with tree roots sticking out. Inside of bends if there is a sand bar, fish where the water slows. Circular eddies, float rigs work great for finding them. Medium flow or deeper water that has fallen timber in it is $$$$$$, the big ones sit under the logs and ambush prey, if you find a tree fallen over in the river you most likely found a 10+ pound cat minimum. Go get'em bud! Thanks erittmueller. All this info definitely helps alot. Whenever I fished in lakes or ponds, I would just pull out the Navionics app and focus in areas that had significant depth changes. Hopefully I can go back soon and will post a report afterwards. It wouldn't be a bad idea since you said you use the Navionics app, to look around in low water times as stated above or when using google earth on low water shots and drop a way point with a description of what you are marking in your Navionics app. Then over time, you can bounce from way point to way point until you run into a few fish. Just a thought.
Last edited by Corey Stanley; 03/09/16 02:51 PM.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: Corey Stanley]
#11468168
03/10/16 03:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951
AdanV
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,951 |
Rivers and creeks are my favorite for fishing for catfish. Target the following spots: Outside of sharp bends, especially if there is an undercut with tree roots sticking out. Inside of bends if there is a sand bar, fish where the water slows. Circular eddies, float rigs work great for finding them. Medium flow or deeper water that has fallen timber in it is $$$$$$, the big ones sit under the logs and ambush prey, if you find a tree fallen over in the river you most likely found a 10+ pound cat minimum. Go get'em bud! Thanks erittmueller. All this info definitely helps alot. Whenever I fished in lakes or ponds, I would just pull out the Navionics app and focus in areas that had significant depth changes. Hopefully I can go back soon and will post a report afterwards. It wouldn't be a bad idea since you said you use the Navionics app, to look around in low water times as stated above or when using google earth on low water shots and drop a way point with a description of what you are marking in your Navionics app. Then over time, you can bounce from way point to way point until you run into a few fish. Just a thought. Yup. I've definitely been studying maps, especially on GoogleEarth's timeline option which gives the layout as years go by.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11474131
03/13/16 04:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 675
sapalmer
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 675 |
best catfishing success I have had is finding a low water dam......the cats just stack up there. Like fish in a barrel.
Last edited by sapalmer; 03/13/16 04:49 AM.
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Re: Is there something to key in on River catfish?
[Re: AdanV]
#11474194
03/13/16 07:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,106
Ledeez
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,106 |
Hand dug (shovel) worms is king in creeks&rivers! Fast water... Hug the bank close to structure. Leaves are killin me right now! Don't check it often!
Teamgetsome$$$
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