I’m going to start a thread for Bluecat tip of the week and try and share some info with some of you guys just starting out. This isn’t instructions on how to fish but more life useful information about how I get ready for the upcoming week’s fishing trip that might help a few guys along the way...anyone else wanting to add a tip feel free.

This weeks tip of the week is a friendly reminder for everyone to inspect your gear before your next trip and do the necessary improvements to minimize any issues on the water. Check your line for nicks and also make sure to restring fresh line on all your rods that need it. Re-tie your leaders you been running all summer and make sure your hooks are laser sharp. Also inspect your reels and tighten all the screws that have loosened over the summer. These issues don’t become a problem until you get a pissed of monster on the line. Nothing worse then putting in all this work and effort to catch a toad only for him to break you off cuz you were too lazy to restring and re-tie. I keep all my planer rods fresh year round but I restrung all my spare rods last night.

Hagen Grubbs (HG Catfishing) last video shows this. His 11 yo son hooked into a catfish that almost pulled him over the boat (drag was set too tight). After a good fight, the line broke. Hagen said it was all because he had failed to put on new leader line.

My Lund is a great boat, except is was not a boat designed for those who fish for catfish. Mainly, it is a lack of rod storage. I normally have 5 - 8 rods when I hit the water, but there was no where to store them when not in use. A simple milk crate, with rod holders from Walmart solved that problem. Not in the picture, is a 1 gal plastic tea jug (also from Walmart) in the center to hold stuff as well. When the rods are out, the rod holders hold my knives, landing net, scales, fish grabbers, etc. All right there as I fish from the back of the boat.

Am I the only one that takes his 300 yds of line off his baitcaster, and winds it onto another baitcaster to expose all the never used line, and put it on top?

Nice rig Nut!

Line is cheap z. Heartbreak from breaking off your new personal best or even a 50 lbr is priceless. We all strip off some of the old line to expose the new but this is the wrong time of year to be doing that from my experience. Pack that spool with fresh and you’ll be glad you did when that 40lbr hits. Fresh line will help keep from losing your first big fish of the season. We’re not talking about the channel cats you catch on treble hooks. We’re talking about trophy class fish that require your equipment to be in tip top shape every time out. Your much better off starting with a full reel of fresh string to start the season. And while your stringing up all 10 reels you might as well put new leaders, and new razor sharp 8/0 hooks on. You can thank me when your snapping photos and hugging a 50lbr...

Good info gato.

Like the idea Nut. Doesn’t take up much room either.

Nice idea. thanks

And some guys just gotta learn this stuff hard way...

I see something in that pic that I need to order. Thanks Gato.

I have a 5 gallon bucket with a Bass Pro bucket caddy. I keep my cast net in the bucket, and all the pliers, grabbers, rags, etc. handy. I also put on one the padded spinning tops on it, and makes a great seat I can move around on the Pontoon boat.

Google "bass pro bucket caddy" and you should get a link and or picture. This is not the highest dollar caddy out there, but works for what I want it for. There are some much nicer and stronger tool caddys out there, but cost more.

Good luck all - stay safe!

Ken

Tip of the week for 10-26

You guys have all heard the saying “big baits = big fish”. Well that definitely rings true for Blue Catfish. With the cold rain finally arriving here in North Texas it’s time to gear up for trophy sized catfish. This weeks tip of the week is a short video on “how to tie a stinger rig for big catfish.” I learned to tie the rig from my guide buddy and fishing mentor Steve Schiele 20 yrs ago and It’s caught me a ton of big fish. I still run smaller baits on my middle rods but I like to use the stinger on all my planer board rigs in the winter. Some of y’all might be asking “why use the stinger? or what’s the benefit of using a stinger rig on big fish? Monster Blues will often give an injury bite to its prey before swallowing it. They attack their prey from behind and will often clamp down on the back half of larger prey attempting to injure or kill the fish before swallowing the whole thing. Some days you’ll catch every fish on the back stinger hook and somedays they all get caught on the front hook. Tie one on your planer board and see what happen!

How to tie a stinger rig for trophy catfish...

List of gear used in video:

60 lb Berkley Big Game leader
8/0 Whisker Seeker Triple Threat Hooks
WS Big Bertha unrigged float
Whisker Seeker Scissors

I also use a Rosco 1/0 swivel to attach the rig to the main line.

Nice info there bro. What might you do differently to catch smaller eater blues this time of the year rather than going for the big ones? It is an area or depth thing, or smaller bait? Any info is appreciated.