It's Bigcat season ya'll!

Beve


Greg's buddy


YakNYota


Slipcork


Unknown


Mainly fish lakes for cats, I've been looking at
different types of rigging. Been using a Santee Cooper Rig with some decent results.


Anyone target whiskers this time of year?

Dang, those are awesome!! I tried last year, but didn't to hot. Ive heard they've been catching them out at arrowhead pretty good. Might have to give it a shot.

Certainly target cats this time of year! That unknown is mine.
I stick mainly to the river though.

Do you drift that rig? Or anchor up? Pm me if you'd like, Id like to get on some big cats like that this winter, and could use some pointers. I don't want locations, I already know where I can catch'em just don't know how when it gets cold.

And please don't say having a fish finder is the key. Working on electronics is one of the reasons I sold my bass boat.

Man if they are hitting at arrowhead I need to join up with you some time Brian, I haven't been out in 3 weeks and I so would love to learn how to target cats effectively.

Edit: Oh 666 got to never post ever again so I can be all evil and junk

Man,fishingRythe,you really need to hurry up and make one more post!

I never have targeted them outside pond fishing, caught em Bass fishing many times. I want to catch a Flathead(Yellow) cat, I do not recall ever catching one. I want to do it in the YAK too!

Yeah one of my buddies has been going out there and catching a few. I haven't been fishing in a few weeks so maybe I'm due. Thinking if I can get out there when it's not too windy, I'll try drifting stink bait. He said there were some guys took off and came back at the same time he did and wore'em out with stink bait.

The Fishing Nut is in for the fight of his life.

Looks awesome! Let me know when you go.

When we going Zomboni? I've been itching lately to wet some hooks and catching a big ole flatty would scratch that itch.

I only use the santee cooper rig, you need good live perch for flatties or fresh dead gizzard shad for blues. From about now to February/March is big cat season, deep drops and humps off the river channel in main lakes for blues and if there is current in the river go there for flatties.

I've eaten alot of catfish but have never caught one. That would be fun. Specially the size of the ones in the pics.

I see a catfish seeking trip developing here!! I hope it's not till after December 17th though. I'm taking my Outback down to Dallas to sell tomorrow. I'll be getting my new ride on the 17th. I would love to tag along and learn how to catch these huge kitty's!!!!!

I had 4 over 40 pounds on tawok saturday.

I have told you before Shaun, give me a shout and I will come up to Ray Bob and help you figure it out so you can catch them whenever you want.

I haven't ever really thought about Ray Bob for big 40lb cats. I guess they are there. What's the latest you've taken from RR?

Nice fish and yes great time of year for drifting

1+ on santee cooper rig with 1 - 2 oz flat weight or shoe string if rocky

you know i don't post fish pictures any more.

I haven't even downloaded them from the camera yet.

Let me know when you guys head out....My pb from the yak is 13lbs.....
would def like to up that pb close to my bank pb of 38

When you rig that set-up do you use pre made leaders or do you make your own leaders by chance? I have never made my own but I can not imagine it is hard to do, cut the length and crimp what you need on to it unless I am way off mark.

I never pre-make santee cooper rigs, some do but I can re-rig one in less than 2 minutes so I don't feel the need.

there is no crimping.

You need your weight, a bead or a bumper to protect the knot, a big barrel swivel, 18" of leader or so, a cigar float, and one big circle hook. I use 8/0.

Put your weight and the bead/bumper on the mainline. Attach the barrel swivel with a palomer knot. Then attach snell knot the circle hook to the leader. Peg the float on the leader about 2" from the hook. Tie the leader onto the barrel swivel using either a improved clinch knot or a knot I call the reverse palomer knot which is basically a palomer knot but instead of passing swivel thru the knot before cinching it down you pass the hook, cigar float and leader thru the knot then cinch it down.
any questions?

I haven't fished Ray Bob for cats in years, my biggest was around 25 out of there but I know there are bigger. I was using smaller baits to target eaters which makes some difference, also I was targeting smaller fish waters. We can chat some about it tomorrow at Mariner if you make it.

Premake mine on My poles with long 25-40# leaders. That way they r ready to go. If I need to shorten my leaders I can do it in about 1 min. I'll have one in the boat before MR gets his in the water

To everyone,
Was thinking we might invade Tawok next Saturday.
Thoughts?

MR, declassify those images