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Dec 30th, 2023
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 ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
#11614026
05/20/16 06:24 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Every year, around this time of year, Channel Catfish move shallow to spawn, and become extremely easy to catch. Most people, when they think about catfishing, they picture tossing a rod out, letting it sit on bottom, and staring at their rid/line all day. No one really pictures catfishing as "fast-action". Let me tell you, right now, it's FAST-ACTION. Channel catfish spawn in late spring or early summer when water temperatures reach between 70-80 degrees.. Males select nest sites which are normally dark secluded areas such as cavities in drift piles, logs, undercut banks, rocks, cans, etc. A golden-yellow gelatinous egg mass is deposited in the bottom of the nest. Males guard the nest, and may actually eat some of the eggs if they are disturbed. The eggs, if not devoured, typically hatch in about a week. Fry remain in the nest, under the guardianship of the male, for about another week. Adults are largely omnivorous, feeding on insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and even some plant material. Sexual maturity is reached in two or three years in captivity, whereas data from natural populations indicates channel catfish in Texas reach sexual maturity in 3-6 years. Most are mature by the time they reach 12 inches in length.Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all others, except blue catfish, by their deeply forked tail fin. Unlike flathead catfish, the upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. Coloration is olive-brown to slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. Typically, numerous small, black spots are present, but may be obscured in large adults. The anal fin has 24-29 soft rays, in contrast to the blue catfish which always has 30 or more rays in the anal fin.When fishing for these catfish, look for the areas mentioned above for good spawning locations, and fish CLOSE to the bank. 3-5' of water. Fish about 2-3' under a peg float, with a pinch weight or two under the float, to make it stand upright. I like to use a #1-#2 plain shank bronze hook or Kahle hook. Baits, I make my own catfish bait, that works like magic. If I'm not using my bait, I'm using shad. However, you can use minnows, night crawlers, dough bait/dip bait (smelly stuff), chicken livers, etc. What you will need:
7' medium/medium heavy rod (spinning or baitcast)
8-12lb mono line (I prefer Triline Big Game or Grand Slam)
2"-3" peg floats
#1-#2 plain shank or Kahle hooks
1/8-1/4 split shots
Stringer
Back-pack
Snack/drink
Hand towel
Bug Spray
Sun screen
Polarized Sunglasses
Hat
FISHING LICENSE
Tape measure/ fish measureBank Catfish Trips- $75/person +$25 deposit (deposit due when booking) FISH GUARANTEED. If you don't catch anything, don't pay. We will take you out and not only put you on fish, we will teach you everything you need to know, to come do the same exact thing in the same exact spots. All gear will be provided. If you want to bring anything of your own, feel free, but not necessary. If you have any questions, you can PM me here, or text me. My number is in my signature below. Fishies     
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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 Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11614028
05/20/16 06:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Got out for about an hour this evening with James (UrbanFisherman79) to do some scouting, and we did pretty well, for the short while we were there. James is a fairly new angler and had never fished for catfish before, so he was totally new to it. We were fishing 3-5' of water, with my homemade concoction, about 30-32" under a 3" peg float along some rip-rap. Can gladly say, the fish are there. Had the conditions been a little more in our favor, we could have done even better. East wind was kinda...  Had we have had a 15-20 mph south wind, it would have been crazy. Fish were busting everywhere around us, and we had a fish on probably every 5 minutes at the least. Think it's safe to say James had a great time. I know I did. It was great meeting a fellow forum-goer and get to do some fishing. He's a really nice guy.
Kept a few for dinner...
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11614139
05/20/16 12:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,300
Drawout
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,300 |
One heck of a post , thanks for taking the time to share !
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: Drawout]
#11614165
05/20/16 12:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,062
TroyKing
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,062 |
Yes thank...for sharing the knowledge...we primarily crappie and bass fish. My son has told me twice lately that cat fishing is his favorite.so I'm gonna focus on learning more about cat fishing.
The driving force and secret desire of every bass fisherman, is to one day be a crappie fisherman............Could it be that the good Lord just smilies and looks the other way when a fisherman tells a lie?
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11615979
05/21/16 04:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Had a late trip pop up around 4:45-5:00pm, told him afternoon trips usually start at 3:30pm, and he said he's still pay to fish until dark. Jonathan (client) got there just before 6:45. Got to our spot and set up by 7. Immediately started catching them. It was a fish almost as soon as it hit the water for about 15 minutes, until a school of shad showed up about 35 yards out. Then it slowed down for a while. Saw some sandies and hybrids start busting the surface and the birds showed, so I dug through my bag, and all I had was one slab, so I tied it on and gave it a fling. Immediately hooked up with a 16" hybrid. Handed Jonathan the rod and after a couple rats nests, he got the hang of the bait caster and hooked up with another undersized hybrid. Casted again, and hooked into something big. Never got a peak. Got down in the rocks and it was a wrap. No more slabs, since I was only carrying catfish gear, so back to the catfish. The school of shad pushed off a few hundred yards and the catfish turned back on around 7:30-7:45. Ended up calling it a night at 8:15, so we'd have enough light for the walk back. Ended up 4 fish short of his limit. Had we not thrown back several 12.5-13" fish, we would've had a limit.
Kitties
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11622267
05/24/16 02:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
They're still doing their thing! Saturday was pretty good. Few times the shad popped up and it slowed down for a little while. Sunday however, with the full moon, east wind, swarms of yellow bass, and all the shad, the fishing was pretty tough. Fish were all around us. Just didn't want to eat. When the yellow bass would move in, the catfish would push out for a little while til the yellows moved on. Got back after it yesterday and went and did some scout fishing at some different locations and did really well. Found the mother load of shad, in about 18" of water and killed them. Actually quite a nice mixed bag yesterday. Caught a decent handful of crappie, sandies, 1 12" hybrid, 15 or so largemouth,20 or so channel cats, tons of yellow bass, some drum, and a few big bluegill. All in about 2 hours from 6:30-8:30. All catch and release.
WE WILL BE RUNNING A WEEKDAY SPECIAL IN THE EVENINGS, MONDAY-FRIDAY. $50/person +$25 deposit. Fishing from 5:45/6:00pm until dark. Fish guaranteed.
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11622481
05/24/16 03:15 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 |
Sunday morning I thought I was in a school of sandies. We were getting double hook ups one after the other. Love this time of year in the shallows.
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: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11623408
05/24/16 09:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,116
taterpop
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,116 |
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11625227
05/25/16 02:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Who wants to go fishing this afternoon? Just had a spot open up. 50 bucks gets you on some fish. Give me a shout!
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11625320
05/25/16 03:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,416
Andrew Taylor
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,416 |
thanks for the report, very well put together!
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11625341
05/25/16 03:45 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11630902
05/27/16 09:23 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
Just had a couple openings become available. Who wants to go fishing? I've got tomorrow afternoon open, along with Sunday and Monday morning and afternoon.
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11635430
05/30/16 05:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446
TxPacker4
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,446 |
My afternoon is full. Nick's still got an opening. Who wants to go fishing?!
Cody Waddle
Licensed Fishing Guide
texasoklahomafishingguides.com
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11647141
06/04/16 07:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,585
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,585 |
I've got openings this afternoon for weekday price, trip starts around 5:30 and goes until dark, all bait and gear is supplied.
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Re: ***Annual Channel Catfish Spawn-Lake Ray Hubbard***
[Re: TxPacker4]
#11651500
06/07/16 08:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,730
nate king
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,730 |
are they still biting shallow? Or you going deeper?
sponsored by Photo Bucket LLC I'm thinking Nate is probably right.
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