I have been targeting Blues now for a few years now and have a limited amount of success. I can locate them fine and rarely go home with out any. Average fish caught is in the 4 - 8 lb range with a couple 2 to 3 teens thrown in each year. We go fishing almost every week end. I just can't seem to get over that hump and was wanting to ask you well seasoned fishermen. What was the one thing/things you changed that allowed you to break into that next level. Was it Bait, Hook, Rig, Location, or .....
I can't even tell the story of the one that got away.
I'm just dying for my son or I to hook into something big enough to scare us.

We usually Boat fish anchored with a little drifting thrown in. Santee cooper rig with cigar float and 5/0 to 8/0 hooks

I'm getting old fast and getting a little worried.
Thanks Guys

Location? Cause your rigs sound right and I'd bet you know the right baits to use. But I'm not one of the expert elites that post on here. In fact I pretty much have the same problem you do.

I use to ask my self those exact same questions and always wondered what the one thing was that I was missing, I finally realized it's not one magic thing that makes it all workout it's all of it together .Keep doing what your doing and fish as often as allowed , the more you go the more ya know; ) Good luck

Probably reading electronics, not only sonar but your topographical map. Learning to see the whole picture!!!!

When I switched to sidescan electronics it changed the game for me. I primarily fish the same lake for many years and I found fish in areas where I would have never thought they would be.

I definitely need to work on my reading my electronics. I can't seem to spot fish in the shallows, I just wind up fishing the situation.
Hb 899si

Electronics!!!!
I never throw a bait until I have scanned (down and sidescan).
Even if I am drifting, I'll scan an area before I start the drift.
Big Sam, 7777 and I always locate fish before even thinking about casting.
Electronics is my answer.
Good luck

With that bird you have the right electronics👍🏾

Drawout where in the world did you catch those " twin Towers" ?? I agree electronics is a game changer


:fleh

Good Lord Drawout! Those are monsters.

Good electronics is the way to go. I find I use my chart plotter, then my side image and also my down scan. I use to use the cheap depth finders. Now days, I got two depth finders and use both (Lowrances). You can teach old dogs new tricks, I'm living proof. Get the best electronics you can buy.

I usually land at least 1 20+ every few weeks but I fish from the bank. I have no boat and no electronics. I have to use old school techniques to locate the big ones, and I primarily use a carolina rig with fresh cut shad.

Electronics are definitely an advantage but catfish can be caught poor boy style. I normally play the wind and fish channel edges and flats.

I have been wanting side scan but the last couple years I have live by the old saying. "if you ain't got it, you will get by without it"

I know I can catch more with sidescan and one of these days will pull the trigger. Just got to wait for the timing to be right.

45 degree water with a little bit of snow and propane heaters...

Prime this maybe our first year targeting channel catfish 12 straight months ..,