Apparently it is, and I over achieved today.



After some success cat'n the past year, I am still been having challenges getting bait. As an insurance policy, I often bring either frozen bait or purchased bait to have something to use if I have difficulty.

My buddy Catfish Tim has been coaching me that in order to be successful, I need to be able to confidently get bait year round.

In the summer months its not an issue, as the boat ramps are not pretty good if you get there early, and more often than not I can get enough on a couple of casts. In winter the bait is deep, but I am now equipped with a taped net so some patience and work and I can normally get what I need, but sometimes its hard work.

So, its now the transition, so where to get bait? Last trip out with Tim he got bait in the marina, and even on departure we saw shad on the surface on the entrance. So today I launched on my own, and first up the marina. I didn't see any bunches of bait just odd fish, so spend a whole lot of time cruising around but with no joy.

So, off to a couple of coves with creeks. I realize in shallow water my small fish finder is all but useless, so watching the surface for action and any birds, but again no joy.

I cruise around some more and throw my net on small groups in 4-12 feet of water. Nothing.



I spend no less than 3 hours searching and throwing my net. Nothing. Nada.

So I skunked with my fishing today because I had no bait after getting skunked with my cast net. Dang, when it comes to skunking I am on over achiever!



The good news is my net casting skills improved a lot - lol! It was/is a beautiful day so all the action was while wearing a t shirt and shorts - most welcome! Bobbing around a lake in a boat is much mo better than having to go to work!



Any suggestions on improved bait hunting skills?? A buddy suggested sandy beaches for shad?

Dynamite???



Cat'n R hard...

This time of year if you are on the boat ramp a good while before daylight you can usually get all you need in a couple of throws on the ramp itself.

Thanks for the tip.

Get a side scan fish finder , I almost always find the bait shallow with the side image way better than the down image in shallow water , in the deep water the side scan can show you how big the ball of bait really is

As a general rule no bait fish no catfish. Start early before daylight for better results.

You went Sunday (1st). It was ZIP on my Catfish Calendar, as is Monday thru Tuesday, But Wednesday & Thursday & Friday (4/5/6) is YC (YellowCat). The 7th & 8th are PYC days (separate from my calender, they are my Personal YellowCat days as per their pattern (a roam-feed sort of circuit or instinct). YC or YellowCat days are also good BlueCat days. See my thread- Lynn's Catfish Calendar [LCC]. I'll be posting the May calendar on Wednesday night (May 4th).

Use the calendar & capitalize on your volume. Many already do, be it setliners or R-n-R.

Thanks for the advice guys, and yes to getting out before daylight.

I’ve been heading to the ramps the past couple of days to try my luck. Nothing yesterday (3 ramps and a marina), but limited success this morning at 4am on a leeward ramp.

My wife must be thinking I have a girlfriend!