I have been cat fishing Lake Travis most of the summer, out of my bass boat before the lake got to low to launch it, and since then off the bank. I have caught more catfish on a rod and reel than I ever have before. Thanks, Sure-Shot. Sunday morning I took my son's jon boat and trolling motor and launched off the bank at the end of Lohman's Crossing road. Crossed the lake and was fishing next to the boat houses in deep water. I would spread my maize, then I would cast up next to the bank with a slip float and Sure-Shot, and also fish straight down beside the boat. I caught at least 15 undersize channel cats from several different locations, without catching a keeper. Finally after I had broken off all the terminal tackle on three catfish rods, I had to spend some time rerigging everything. So just because it was in the boat, I put a treble hook on my spinning rig I use for crappie, and just pitched it toward the bank. Before I could get the rod in a holder, I caught a 14" channel cat. Tried it again, and caught another keeper. Third time I didn't get a bite until I had rigged out two of my other rods. Then caught an udersized fish. Moved to another location, put out maize and went back to my slip float rig and fishing straight below the boat. Caught a couple of undersize fish, so I tried my crappie rig again, and caught two more keepers.

Boat traffic picked up about 10:00 and I decided to get off the lake before I had to swim. This is just a guess but I think the reason that I was catching larger fish on the crappie rig was because without any weight on the line, the bait left a better scent trail as it sank, and that with my other rigs I was fishing at the wrong depth. Catching catfish like this was a new experience for me. Made me realize again that when I already know what ISN't working, try something new.

Mike

Sounds like a good day. I was also thinking wrong depth while reading the first part of your post.

Come on lets see some pics.

+1 on the pics

I think when you cast out with a weight on your line, The weights splash's and spooks the bigger fish sometimes. Glad to hear you figured out what they wanted. I heard lake travis is down 47ft!! Ouch...