So the girlfriend and I wanted to take the jon boat out this Saturday and try for some catfish or I'll take a red if I can get one. Not sure whether to go to Cali or Braunig. I plan to fish close to shore and fish the bottom with chicken livers or if I can find some Big Marvs. Not sure if anything they sell at academy is good I used that eagle claw junk once and had no luck. Can anyone suggest a good spot to go at either lake and maybe a few pointers? I'd like to put her on a few fish and just have a good time. Thanks! I'm new to catfishing so any help is appreciated. I had been meaning to go out catfishing since last year but never got to. Darn work gets in the way of life.

hey al, you should check out the thread about the calaveras catmen get together....... you would be able to pick up alot of tips that day(after the tournament)! some good and some probably not so good!!!!!!!!!

I would recommend the Catfish Crack (Big Marvs). You can get it at the light house, but buy the little one becuase they charge way to much. You can get the gallon for $30 at the Braunig boat shop. If you get something from Academy, get Danny Kings, not as good as Marv's in my opinion, but it will catch fish. If you just want to get into some cats I'd recommend Cally. Braunig's are bigger, but harder to find. On cally go out the ramp and head up the northeast arm of the lake. There are several reed beds, hit one, fish for a while, if nothing in 20 minutes or so, try the next one. Good luck and I hope you guys have a good time.

I average fishing Calaveras or Braunig three times a week. Come go with me some time to learn some basics then build on that. I usually leave the ramp about 6:30, catch some shad, chum some holes, then try to catch 'em.

That is a hell of an offer, you really should take him up on that!

Hey guys thanks again for the info and heads up on where to go. I will definately be heading right from the boat ramp toward the power lines. And hopefully I can find some big marvs if not I'm gonna go ahead and pick up some danny kings in case I get all the way out there and there's no big marvs. Uncle Jess pm me what days you usually go and and if work permits me I'd really appreciate you letting me go and learn. Thank you very much! I'll hopefully be posting some pictures of cats next week.

As you grow and learn catfishing at Calaveras & Braunig , you will know what a nice bunch of guys that regularly fish there. Marvin, Cliff, Manny, Harry, John(parttime), and John(Marvins son), others I can't think of right now. Any one of them will tell you where and what to bait with.
I will be at Calaveras Tuesday, Friday and Saturday of next week. # 415-3638.

Just came the cats are hot now. Limited out today and last night could get any marvs used Shad. Caught some nice sized blues.

FYI, I found Big Marv's at Leon's Ice House on W.W.White near Rigsby. Across the street from Big Lou's.

I would have updated sooner but I was on vacation all last week We went out to Calaveras and I finally caught a fish there! So here's the story we decided to launch from the kayak launch since it was packed at the other boat ramps. We just fished some reed beds closeby there. I was able to get some Big Marvs (great stuff!) from the lighthouse and yes it was pricey but it seems it will last a while in the garage so no biggie to me. I also used Danny Kings. We caught 4 nice channel cats in a few hours. 3 on Big Marvs 1 on Danny Kings. I wish we could have stayed longer but we'll definately be going back. It was lots of fun and I appreciate all the info from you guys. Cooked them up that evening and it was awesome!

Congrats on a good trip. I do believe that if you want channel cats, cally is the best lake in this area for sheer numbers. Now when your ready to catch few but bigger ones, give Braunig a try.
BTW, if you haven't signed up yet, you should sign up for the Cally catman get together and tourney, it's a lot of fun!