Hey all,
I can't explain what has happened but I haven't been able to catch any fish here lately and if I do they're dinks. Last year I was able to afford a trip with Cliff Hill (an amazing guide) after that we did great but since July or so hardly anything. I chum, I use serveral types of baits. Any bites I do get usaully come from DK's,shad or worms.
I ordered some 'sure shot' and had great luck back in Feb of last year (fewer fish but way bigger) as I remember I caught a 4#er on that stuff. My son Kevin hooked a big cat that straighten out 30# stainless steel terminal tackle just as I was about to net it.
Any way, I will greatly appericate any and all help you folks can provide.
I can hardly wait to meet you all attending the get together at Calaveras next April.
Rubes

If you are fishing cats, just rig a fair size treble hook on a basic carolina rig with a heavy weight (atleasst 1/2oz) that will keep your bait on the bottom. As for bait, the one that has worked the best for me is called Magic Bait, and I get the chicken blood/chicken liver flavor. You have to be very patient with this bait (don't use it if you have less than an hour to fish) but it almost never misses. Also look for chenges in the water. Catfish live in current, but feed in still water (where dead fish, food settle), so aim for any spot where you can see a change like this. This has always worked for me. Hope that helped.

P.S Magic Bait is available at walmart for about $3,

thanks for your response, Ill give your advice a try.


Rubes

Concentrate on the reed beds.

As a side note, circle hooks are better for landing cats, but the dough bait stays on a treble a whole lot easier.

Reeds are good, but they are not on every body of water. Transition points are really what is key, whether reeds, grass, current, or what have you.