I want to target big blues in deeper water. all fish will be CPR"d.
I've pretty much got a game-plan in order, but there's still a few unanswered questions, so I'll leave it up to y'all.

Hook size. I'm using a 5/0 mustad demon circle
drift or anchor?
live or cut bait, or both?
chum?
how many rigs out at once?
bottom, middle, both?
rig- looks like Santee-Cooper is best bet?
what's up w/ these no-roll sinkers?

I hope this isnt too many questions
thanks in advance & wish me luck!

Hook size. I'm using a 5/0 mustad demon circle 8/0 gamagatsu octopus circle
drift or anchor? You can do both but I prefer a lot of anchoring on humps and drop offs
live or cut bait, or both? cut fresh shad works the best and the bigger the better
chum? wouldn't worry about it really
how many rigs out at once? I'll fish with 8-10 at a time
bottom, middle, both? bottom
rig- looks like Santee-Cooper is best bet? santee cooper is the only way I go
what's up w/ these no-roll sinkers? best catfishing sinker around stays put and does not roll around

Good luck out there!

EXACTLY!!!!!!
Chase, we got the same boat and fish the same..Thats a little scary

+1 to the above. Love the 8/0 gamakatsu octopus circle offset hooks and no-rolls. Have you got to use that blue elite Abu yet?

spooled up w/ 65# suffix & going with me to texoma this weekend. I even went so far as to buy a 65" drift sock and put rod holders on my boat!

Good luck out there this weekend. You picked a dang good lake to fish on. Let us know how you do.

Mustad 39951 BLN is a great all around bait hook for catfish, stripers, etc, etc.

Are those inline or offset?

The 39951 BLN is a wide gap, inline, fine wire circle.

What's going on here? Seems there have been several striped fish guys starting to chase these slimy whisker fish. Holzer, Baitfish, BB Guide and now lite-liner....

There must be something in the water

You cat guys better watch out!

Is the sandy fishing that bad at LL these days? Keep hearing of you guys hitting Ray Roberts lately. Leave my whisker fish alone. Come out there with me one of these days Chad and we'll find some.

Its called the dark side from ive been told

All I can say is ditto on what Chase 4 has said. He knows what he's talking about and catches his share of big un's and some of mine I think !!!!lol!!

it's true, it's true. ever since I lost that 40+ back in june
I've been nearly ate-up, but I'm ready now.
went and got some floats & 8/0 Gamakatsu's ( I catch tuna's with these!)
Now if I can remember how to throw that damn net.......

+1 to Chase along with most of the other guys that fish Lavon like Doug(Tex) and Joe Simpson. Those guys are hard to beat and really know their stuff. I owe a heck of alot to Tex on teaching me the shallow fishing techniques for sure.

Oh get ready. You and all the whisker fish fellows are about to experience a "striped fishermen invasion"....

Ya, still need to get out with you sometime soon. I'm anxious to go water turkey fishing or fishing under the roost, what ever the hell it's called when you fish under those nasty looking birds.

Ditto, my only change of preference would be no-snag sinkers. I think they will prevent alot of hang-ups while drifting as well as shallow flooded timber. I would also add that if your going to fish flooded timber I would use 65# braid of some kind for main line and 50# mono leader. Recommended by a trophy cat guide. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to hire a guide that specializes in trophy cats and pick his brain. I did just for the learning experience and it shortens up the learning curve by quite a bit. www.trophycatfishadventures.com Mickey, Steve, or Tommy are all excellent.

+1

That what I was told when I came over from tournament bass fishing. Still do both but I sure do love watching my kids catch big cats. I am taking her to OH Ivie today. Wish us luck.

And how deep (should somebody start)?

Get a cast net and learn how to use it. Check with locals and observe other fisherman where they catch shad.

Think fresh shad whenever possible for bait, especially big blues.

Don't be afraid to move from unproductive water if you have no action for 30 minutes or longer.

Wear a PFD if you are in a boat!

Good luck!

well, it didn't work out so well on the 1st attempt.
went to raybob thanksgiving morning and fished 10:30 till 1:30
I can see how important fresh shad is.
used an old reliable cut bait I used to use in Ca. and it worked
on the channels, but no blues in a spot notorious for catching big blues.
got several large marks just off the bottom that appeared to be single fish but no takers.
fresh shad next time, for sure.
thanks for all the help, guys.
Oh, Eric, The reel worked excellent. thanks again.
might hit you up to show me the ropes here in a couple weeks
tight lines, all
-Brian

It never does. Just keep at it you'll do just fine.

Yeah, all the catfish rigging in the world won't do ya much good if'n you can't catch your bait first! hehehe

Would be glad to get with you on LL or RR sometime in the coming weeks to work with you on castnetting.