Fished a local creek and the Channel Cats and Rios were very active. Caught a bunch of both! While reeling in some of the Rios I would have some Channels chasing them. I stopped reeling several times and all the Channels would do is just look at them and swim around them. Very entertaining to say the least. Fish were all caught of live worms and Gulp Alive Night Crawlers. Fish were in 2 to 3 feet of water holding close to the bank. Rounding out the catch were a couple of Bluegill. All fish were released. Some early morning creek action. It just don't get any better!

We used to buy small Rios at the old Palmetto fish hatchery in Ottine, Tx. We caught a lot of yellows and big channels on them.

Good looking fish, Banker!

Nice catching, Chuck!

Bob

Thanks ChuChu1,Texan,and Bob for the replies. I have had bass on numerous times chase hooked Bluegills. I have even caught a few very nice bass on hooked Bluegills. I have seen big Channels chase a hooked sunfish only a few times over the years but never a Channel Cat or any other catfish chasing a Rio. I do know that Rios especially the small ones make GREAT catfish bait especially if they are alive.

That's cool Chuck. You never know what you what you will see while fishing. Interesting you were catching them in such shallow water. I experienced the same thing while fishing this week. I caught bluegill, catfish and bass throwing my bait against the bank in a local creek this week. The catfish were chasing shad as much as the bass were.

Thanks Jamie for the reply! I think the good rains that we have been having all throughout the year have kept the creeks and ponds in super condition. These water bodies have stayed active all year. Seems the fish have more energy and the creeks are alive with the fresh water running through them. I have also seen a lot of minnows just about everywhere I have fished!



Side Note: I have also seen a lot of bass chasing minnows in the shallows on the ponds I fish!

Rios and Cats are a good combination. Bet the fights were good! Love that first picture.



Side Note: Big Flatheads love Rios! Heck they love just about any fish that is smaller than them.

Thanks Gitter for the reply. Yes Sir BIG CATS Love Rios. Those bank anglers who fish for the Reds on Cally use the small Rios!

Nice post Chuck. I have seen this more this year than past years when bass would chase a hooked sunnie. I had a small Longear hooked on my 3wt Flyrod and while reeling in the fish a LMB about 4 to 5 pounds slammed it. The fight was great for about a minute when the fish broke off! This happened in early summer. I have had a lot of bass trailing my hooked fish this year.




Side Note: Have you seen this more this year compared to past years?

It has been about the same Curtis. I get a lot of BIG BASS chasing my hooked sunnies every year!


Side Note: Always exciting to watch!

Yea very exciting to watch for sure. It seems like this year I have seen it more!

Yes they do and they catch some big ones!

I know several anglers who use small Rios as bait. They are the Cally Redfish Anglers. I guess you can say also. "Reds love Rios"!