Catfish Lynn. Look forward to your post, and information Sir.
What bait do you feel is the optium for this week. Targeting Yellows and "medium" size Blues. Depth, 8ft. Goldfish? Cut-Perch?
Thank you.

Are you rod-n-reeling or running set lines (& if so, what kind)?

For rod-n-reeling in this heat or at nights, best to post a thread asking rod-n-reelers who are currently out there in the heat or during the night.

With the lakes very low, thermocline active, then topping off with water that may seem to boil the fish, all 3 of these change some of the normal rules.

If you are running juglines or rod-n-reeling, and want larger blues, the thermocline supposedly runs mid-level to bottom. The Bigger Blues will suspend themselves just above the mid-level & goldfish may be prime. Some of the rod-n-reelers (here on TFF) currently are noting the levels they are having luck in, as well as some of the conditions, time of day, and the bait they are using.

Stink baits really expand in the summertime, so you want to make sure you keep it concentrated to help them find your hook. If you spread the smell out too much, they may be running circles trying to find the "diner" (your hook). Of course, I'm not a rod-n-reeler.

While many swear on shad, I've never had any luck with them, dead or alive, or cut. At least that I recall.

I know several who hit paydirt using cut perch, and so on. Sadly it does not work for me. Maybe now that it is from 101 to 105 may make a difference.

Live perch are prime for me, as to Yellows. Yellows are very methodical & territorial. Picking them out in the open lake is tougher than finding them in the shallows or on the river. They tend to hang around stumps, logs, and obstructions. Why? Because they use that blind spot to their advantage of an ambush, or a surprising vaccuum "big gulp". Surprisingly, a medium to fair size perch will still be on the menu for a 60 pounder, as well as a 6 pounder. Even Blues for that matter.

However, timing is everything. I have found, as to set lines, Yellows tend to "turn on" between around 11 PM thru 3 AM as to close to a New Moon, and they seem to run later on into daylight closer to a Full Moon. Find a stump or timber area, look for a big one on your scope, then try to put dinner on its table. But be ready to get it away from tangling in the timber. As to depth of the area, it could be 6 feet to 15 feet. The scope will show you where the big one is lurking (the depth).

The last few times we went, the golds seem to be doing better than the perch, as to Blues. Even 1 to 3 pound channels were chomping them down.

If the Yellows are still not going for the perch, try what Tiny suggested. Rough 'em up a bit by raking a few scales off each side to mimic a wounded fish.

Hope this helps somewhat. Like I say, ask some of the rod-n-reelers currently fishing in this extreme weather, as to the depths & baits that are producing.

Catfish Lynn,

I was out at Gibbons on July 29th, and last Thursday and Friday, the 4th and 5th. Took my dad out on the 29th, and went home with 10 fish. We were on the water by 6 am and tried in 18ft of water near a buoy by the intake, and by some rocks near the spillway in 10-12 ft of water, and caught no fish. We then tried around some stump cover in 13-14 feet of water, and found a sweet little hole. It is holding a lot of fish. That day we caught them on CJ's punch bait, with tight lines on the bottom.

We returned on the 4th, and we kept 14. Caught about 25 total. Some were marginal on size and we let them go. We like to keep fish around 14" and up. We got on the water around 5:45. Before leaving the ramp we caught plenty of shad, all around 2-3 inches. I also bought some chicken livers and had several cans of Cj's and one can of Sonny's stink bait. We motored right over to that same spot, tied up, and started fishing. The bite was slow for about 45 minutes, but at 6:30, the fish found us and it was non stop action for an hour and a half. We missed our fair share of bites, as many of the bites were strange. We were on the bottom or a few inches off, and the lines would start moving far to the left or right. Some fish were foul hooked, but still made it into the boat. The most interesting thing about that day, is the fish bit on everything. Livers, shad, Cj's and Sonny's. The bite began to slow around 9, but we caught a few more until 10:30, then headed home.

I returned bright and early the next morning, taking a buddy who is a CSPD officer. He was off duty at 4 am and I picked him up at 5:00. We were in the water at 5:40 with plenty of shad and perch, CJ's punch bait, chicken livers, and some Sonny's. Again we visited the same location. The morning before, my dad and I baited the hole with dog food. We usually use soured bird seed, but did not have any made up, and dog food was an easy option. I'm not sure whether or not it ruined the fishing, or if it was just the luck of fishing, but we only took 6 fish home. They were good sized channels, and there was one blue. The wind picked up pretty early which made the fishing less enjoyable. Soon, the lake was white capping, so we decided to leave the spot and motor around the lake looking for different locations with similar depths and structure, but didn't find anything to our liking. I hope to return this week, and will report back with results.

Also, one more detail. The water temperature according to my Humminbird was around 86 degrees in our spot. Other spots we tried were closer 90 degrees or more.

Sounds like you found a cooler spot. I'm sure the fish must like that too in this heat. With this extreme heat, just like humans, it will alter their normal patterns somewhat. The Catfish Calendar focuses mainly on Blues & Yellows, and Gator Gars just happened to be found in the research. I did not really focus on Channels or MudCats as well. However, a few have found some patterns into Crappie as well, but that's still in early stages.

I've even had the Crappie fishermen/women at Lake Limestone around RB Marina ask me what the calendar shows before, during, or after their fishing runs. Definitely the ZIP days fell accordingly on the Crappie as their haul's qwikly were reduced dramatically. Like Ron (my boss) said once, you could not buy any Crappie (meaning they just would not bite or I should say get caught period, regardless.


I have found that I seem to catch more Channels on BFT (Buffet) days. Sometimes BFT days overrun & hide the true YC (YellowCat) pattern of 7/2/7/2/7/3 & repeat (the 2-2-3 being the "roam-feed" days/nights).

I have also been watching several on the Forum who share what bait they have been using & see that some are having really good bites/catches using CJs & other stink baits and overcoming the worse days. While I recognize that rod-n-reeling does not focus on a full 24 hour schedule as a set line will or might, it seems that the biggest twist is towards the Channels. Also on ZIP days, you may tend to find a few record size Cats (like Blues). I feel that these are some of the rogue ones who do not follow the norm. In a sense, it may be why they got so big. A general estimate is that 66% to 75% of Blues & Yellows follow the pattern, while 25% to 33% do not. Just like people in a sense, not all run the same feeding & working habits (or times)

Appreciate the input. Sounds like you are doing great & off to a great start, as it seems you are keeping good records of conditions, fish caught, baits used, temperatures, and specific places. By keying in on previous experiences & conditions, you are establishing a recognizable pattern, which will help time & time again in the days ahead. Focus on those & other items & the calendar, means you will increase your catches & streamline as to specifics (such as target size & types).

I have only been to Gibbons 2 or 3 times and that was some 30 years back. Wow, seems to like only a few years ago.

Rod-n-reeling according to the Calendar has advantages, as well as disadvantages, over set lines. Different baits can do the same. But any who use it, as they learn to incorporate it either way, will find they can increase their volume. And keeping records of your outings is a WIN-WIN.

There are some really big Blues & Yellows in Gibbons. Ron hooked one big one about 2 years back & fought for 1.5 hours until it decided enough was enough, turned away & never stopped, eventually snapping the line on his Crappie setup. From his description, I would say it was a big Yellow.

Wishin' You the Best!

Of course lower water levels alter many things as well.

This past week I have found out that no public or Marina (RB or LL) ramps are workable due to the extreme low lake level at Lake Limestone. You might be able to carry a jon boat or Porta-Bote down or out into the waters at or near a ramp, then your motor. Other than that, you would have to have a boat hanging in a boat house that could still find water lowering it, if it will lower an extra 5+ feet that normal.

If worse comes to worse, I can always set-up (fold out & put seats & such in) my sister's Porta-Bote, add the clip on dolly wheels, and motor. Then easily wheel it down to the water's edge. Might take off the wheels just so I don't lose them. The Porta-Bote is extremely light & with the Johnson 3.5 HP & only one person, it will go fairly faster than you can imagine.

I hope to make a run up to RB this coming weekend, take some pics there, might go up to the bridge on the NW end & take some pics of the public ramp there, then come down to the dam on the SW end & go by and say hi to one of the Lake Rangers (Limestone has 2) & get the latest info about any possible access for bigger boats, plus pics from there at the SW public ramp by the BRA office.

Almost forgot. Adam at IMPress (OfficeMax) is making up the prototype of the 2011 Wall Calendar (shows the cover pic shot & the 12 numerical calendar months). So we will see Monday just what it will look like in B/W. But it will help for showing all 12 months together for easier mapping out trips.

I've been fishing Gibbons ever since I was a little kid. Of course now I'm only 19 and a Sophomore at A&M. But for the majority of my years fishing Gibbons, I was banking it on the dam. Then my dad bought a boat, but he bought a VIP fish n ski, and it was nothing more that a pain. My dad was very picky about it, and never wanted to hurt the hull or get the carpet too dirty, but to his defense, he sold the boat for $500 more than he paid 5 years earlier. The point being, we never really got into the fish in that boat like we did on the bank. And we always spent more time cleaning the boat then we did fishing out of it. Also, back when I was young, the lake was fishing only. No recreational boating. So there were never any skiers, or wake boarders. But, they changed that a few years back and for our last year or two of bank fishing, we had skiers going up and down the dam tearing up the water and causing wake to break on the dam and soak us. The biggest we ever pulled out of the water there was a 26 lb yellow cat.

After dad sold the boat, and didn't want to buy an all aluminum boat like I suggested. So I took it upon myself to get back in the water. Picked up a little 1979 lowe line 16' v bottom with a 1979 Mercury 40hp in horrible condition, on a trailer for $200 bucks. After 6 months of work and ~$600 in materials and parts, I'm out at the lake several days each week. Dad is also jealous of the boat because my old Merc starts faster and runs better than his 90's model Mariner 115 ever did.

I plan on continuing to keep record of my catch and all the aspects of that day, and match it up closely with your calendar to develop a pattern for Gibbons. It is my lake of choice for this area, because I know it so well and it always produces fish.

I have visited Limestone once, about 2 years ago. Fished in kayaks at one of the county parks and did very well at the stumps about 200 yards from the bank on Danny Kings. Then bank fished all night and went home with nearly 30 fish. Would love to go back in my boat when the lake gets enough water in it to launch.

Also heard that Somerville has closed down all their ramps. Praying for rain.

I think it is any day now that Somerville was to be their record low. Rats! I just knew I snipped that bit, but can't seem to find it now. It was either in 1984 or 1994. The article note that at the rate it was dropping, it would match or be below the previous record low in 10 days.

Very good! Keep records, observe & record, and you will excel.

Interesting that they have allowed skiers on Gibbons, but no set lines. I recall back in the 70s, I think they allowed juglines for a bit.

In this heat, I am sure night fishing would be great.

Well, we are still experimenting on the simple Wall catfish calendar. We tried a 24x36, then an 18x24, both in B/W, as color increases the price by several warp zones. However, the numerical monthly calendars come out very light. If we darken them up, then the Calendar cover (from the full size original style) 16 pic/4 quadrant spread will blur or blob out/up. We may have to do it in a double run. I use to work in printing, but offset is totally different from the new digital. But I've been known to surprise a few in possible options to overcome hurdles regardless if in printing or other fields. I am not as familiar with PDF & we might be able to make the 12 months "bold"er to remedy the problem. Adam at OfficeMax's IMPress here in the B-CS area is an amazing digital tech & even his superiors sometimes pass off stuff for him, as he can run circles around the rest (or leave them in the dust at the starting line). I told him the other day to think of it as job security.

Here is your September 2011 Catfish Calendar

Lynn’s Catfish Calendar- September 2011
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx| 1 ZIP | 2 BFT | 3 BFT
4 ZIP | 5 ZIP | 6 ZIP | 7 BC | 8 BC | 9 YC | 10 YC
11 YC | 12 YC | 13 YC | 14 BC | 15 BC | 16 BC | 17 BC
18 ZIP | 19 ZIP | 20 YC | 21 YC | 22 YC | 23 ZIP | 24 ZIP
25 ZIP | 26 ZIP | 27 ZIP | 28 ZIP | 29 BC | 30 BFT |
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Your September 2011 Moon phases:
*New Moon- August 28th Sun
1st Qtr- 4th Sun
Full Moon- 12th Mon
Last Qtr- 20th Tues
New Moon- 27th Tues

Hidden Basic YC (YellowCat) Pattern Days (7/2/7/2/7/3 & repeat):
[the Catfish Calendar lists the strongest day accordingly]
2nd/3rd (Fri/Sat)
11th/12/13th (Sun/Mon/Tues)
21st/22nd (Wed/Thurs)
30th/Oct 1st (Fri/Sat)

For the basic KEY to the Calendar, just back up until you find it in this thread.

Remember, for most, new licenses or new fines may apply. It is cheaper by the license (or I should say to "buy" it).

Several record catches here in the BCS (Bryan-College Station) area. Hmm, not speaking of catfish, but the heat here in Aggieland---
+++++++
Wednesday's (8-31-11) high of 101° means that 2011 is now tied with 1917 for the most number of days over 100°, and this year could be alone at the top of the list after Thursday (9-1-11).

Furthermore, August 2011 will go down as not only the warmest August on record, but also the warmest of any month on record in the Brazos Valley.
+++++++

Sorry for being so late,

Have been doing other research which has been consuming a lot of my off-season catfishing time, when not working or sleeping. I have all of the data for mapping out the 2012 Catfish Calendar as well, just have had no time yet.

Once again, if you got a good pic or so of a good one or good mess of Cats, if you want to be in the 2012 Calendar, then email me at <hlynnh@peoplepc.com> as there is still time to get you in.

Methinks we might be takin' a scoutin' trip up to Limestone in the next 2 to 3 weeks, just to see what we will be dealing with, as to low level. Before the rain today, Limestone was between 9.01 & 9.06' low. BRA just issued Stage 2 Drought Warnings as it just dropped below 354' (above sea level) pool level later this past week.

We will probably take my sister's 12' Porta-Bote with a Johnson 3.5 HP motor, as well as rig up the Cuda 300 depth & fishfinder. Much lighter & easier to drop in for scouting our fishing spots. I want to get over to the "Giant's" running area so I can see if it is all visible to know its path, so we will have a better shot once the water gets back up. At 9' low, that means the average 13' at the No Wake Zone exit coming out of RB, is only 4' deep. Still hard to fathom or digest.

Anyway, here's your October 2011 Catfish Calendar:

Lynn’s Catfish Calendar- October 2011
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | 1 ZIP
2 ZIP | 3 ZIP | 4 BC | 5 BC | 6 BC | 7 BFT | 8 YC
9 YC | 10 YC | 11 BC | 12 BC | 13 BFT | 14 BFT | 15 BC
16 ZIP | 17 ZIP | 18 YC | 19 YC | 20 ZIP | 21 ZIP | 22 BC
23 BC | 24 ZIP | 25 ZIP | 26 BC | 27 BC | 28 BC | 29 ZIP
30 ZIP | 31 BC |
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


All YC days listed are correct, none hidden as to the ones ahead for the rest of October. However September 30th (BFT) & October 1st (ZIP) were hidden. But if you will notice, there is an overlap as to the 1st with the 8th of the next run. This occurs from time to time as our yearly 365 calendar days are not perfect & requires an adjustment every 4 years. The 7/2/7/2/7/3 & repeat is as close to perfect, but also requires adjustments as well. In November, there will be another overlap as to the 7th & 14th. And yet once again in December as the 4th & 11th also do the same.

And looking at your October Moon phases:
1st Qtr- 3rd Mon
Full Moon- 11th Tues
Last Qtr- 19th Wed
New Moon- 26th Tues

Well, Lots o' luck & Good Fishing!
And let's hope the cooler weather steadies out somewhat!

Running behind here,

Your November 2011 Catfish Calendar ...

Lynn’s Catfish Calendar- November 2011
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXXX/ XXXX/| 1 BC | 2 BC | 3 BFT | 4 BFT | 5 YC
6 YC | 7 YC | 8 BC | 9 BC | 10 BFT | 11 BFT | 12 BC
13 BC | 14 YC | 15 YC | 16 ZIP | 17 ZIP | 18 BC | 19 BC
20 ZIP | 21 ZIP | 22 ZIP | 23 BC | 24 BC | 25 ZIP | 26 ZIP
27 ZIP | 28 BC | 29 BC | 30 BFT |


Listing the YC days true underlying pattern- 7/2/7/2/7/3 & repeat is as close to perfect. In November, there is another overlap as to the 7th & 14th. And yet once again in December as the 4th & 11th also do the same. November listings are: 5/6/7, then 14/15 and finally 23/24.

And looking at your November Moon phases:
1st Qtr- Wed 2nd
Full Moon- Thurs 10th
Last Qtr- Fri 18th
New Moon- Fri 25th

I am hoping we can break away to go scout Limestone on Sunday, to see what is left of RB fork where we normally have lines in the No Wake Zone, Near Corner & Far Corner, as well as the big water above dam. Itought to be interesting at 9.5' low or more. Plan to take pics. If the area of "the Giant" is above water level, I plan to mark the trail & take a pic to remember when lake fills back in. That way I will knows its actual path, even though I think I have it narrowed down. Then I will have to second guess where it has moved to.

My apologies, running behind. Have been partially sick the past few weeks. Feeling better this afternoon. T-Day Trip was definitely not the "Freezer Run" this year. Due to high winds the past few weekends ahead, we were unable to scout the 10 foot low lake level, as well as set lines out the weekend before. Nothing like rolling the boat down about a 1/4 mile to water as well as tote gear in quite a few trips. I had hoped to get some exercise. I got more than I planned for, that includes the fiasco of me falling backwards out of my sister's 12' Porta-Bote. A tidbit more of that is on the thread titled "Flathead Activity".

Anyways, here is your December 2011 calendar. Scroll back in this thread for the KEY, in case you don't know it. In addition to being under the weather the past few weeks, I'm trying to finish up some other research, then there's that required thing we call work (you know, for a paycheck). Also at the end of this month's calendar (dopwn below), is the link to the 2010 thread which has some of the story behind the catfish calendar, in case you missed it.


Lynn's Catfish Calendar- December 2011
--------------------------------------
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | XXXX | 1 BFT | 2 BFT | 3 YC
4 YC | 5 ZIP | 6 ZIP | 7 BFT | 8 BFT | 9 BC | 10 BC
11 YC | 12 YC | 13 BC | 14 ZIP | 15 BC | 16 BC | 17 BC
18 ZIP | 19 ZIP | 20 BFT | 21 BFT | 22 ZIP | 23 ZIP | 24 ZIP
25 ZIP | 26 ZIP | 27 BFT | 28 BFT | 29 BFT | 30 YC | 31 YC
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


As for your December Moon phases:
1st Qtr 2nd Fri.
Full Moon 10th Sat.
Last Qtr 17th Sat.
ALSO--- Winter begins on the 22nd
New Moon 24th Sat.

As for YC (YellowCat) Hidden Days (according to the 7/2/7/2/7/3 pattern):
Note once again, a blend or splicing up in the first half of the month.
2/3/4 (Fri/Sat/Sun)
11/12 (Sun/Mon)
20/21 (Tues/Wed)
29/30/31 (Thurs/Fri/Sat)

And the link for the 2010 thread in case you did not read the story behind the Catfish Calendar:
<http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5176857/1>

2012 will be the 4th year for the printed calendar, the 2nd for the Mini-Cal, and the 1st for the simple wall calendar (we experimented with 2011, but did not quite get where I was hoping for).

Also, 2009/2010/2011 Catfish Calendars (Collector items as they are numbered) are still available. Adam at OfficeMax's IMPress here has set it all up on their computer so we can always print more. Adam is Numero Uno in the tech department.

I already have 2012 mapped out, but have not set it up in the RTF format for those on the Calendar Crew (they get them emailed every 3 months from me along with an update in the research). Then there is the actual printed calendar set-up. If you have some pics or a pic & want to be in it, write me at <hlynnh@peoplepc.com>. There is still time. Not much, but some since I am running behind.