Sinse discovering this forum about two months ago I have gained more info for catching catfish than I ever supposed existed. In the past I just took my container of canadian crawlers and went fishing. Some times I got some bream, maye a few cats, even a bass or two at times. But most of the time I caught something. Now I have juglines, a trot line, punch bait, dip bait, vanilla flavored shrimp, soap, worms, 5 different kinds of dough balls. I have all kinds of info on where to fish and how to fish. But I ain't catching any.
I faithfully go to spots that I have learned about on this forum and I faithfully throw out my range cubes, and fermented smelly chicken scratch. Then I put out 6 or 7 rods all with different baits and then I wait. Or if I'm using the jugs I set them out and wait some more. My average catch has been one keeper per trip. I have caught nothing on the punch bait or soap so highly touted in this forum.
So, I guess I am a day late and a dolar short. If I am fishing on a flat the fish are on the rip rap. If I try the rip rap, the fish are in the shallows, or suspended, or in some one else's boat. They ain't never where I am fishing.
Sorry for the venting, but I'm frustrated. I'm going to Martin Creek Mon and I going to fish the rip rap. I hope the pattern is still good.
BUT, if I dont catch fish on the rip rap, what would the summer pattern be? The kids and grand kids are camping out on Martin July 10,11,12th, and I would like to be able to put them onto some fish. A little help here fellows, the frustration and stress is giving me indigestation.

Try finding the thermocline maybe.
Folks say spawn is still on some say its over...blah blah
My own observations the cats Ive caught in last three outings Hubbard Rip Rap channels ( and even some Tawokini Blues just two weeknds) ago are still holding eggs while others are not that Ive been catching recently.
Quite afew had beelies full of the chum I was tossin today...chum increase odds and is the easiest thing to make when oyu consider it,(thanks for that chum by the way Curtis! )
Thinking of the area I fished the last two mornings I took good notice today that from 6am to 8am in about 2-3' of water of the rip rap things were hot and heavy.
But as the water which warms quickly in Texas summer heats up the fish move farther out.
From 8am to 10am they move out to 5-6 ft and things aren as fast but still good.
From 10am till Noon past they are out in 9-10ft of water and the btie slows to a few a hour.
Im not saying that hte thermo cline is at the elvel Im fishing at the end of the mrning but its obvious theyare going deepr as it warms and slowing down abit.
If I could find the thermocline exact...I could hammer the fish all day likely.

Soemthing to read about and talk to other fisherman about on each particular water your fishing!

if ya like adrenaline rush bait with shrimp and no weight and throw to the rip rap at night by the time the line goes tight its to late there on .Me and my dad used to fish rip rap this time of year at night like that and load the boat.

If you put your jugs out with soap and shad in 15 to 20 foot of water over night with circle hooks it is almost impossible to get skunked. I have never been skunked with all soap over night. During the day right now it is not so good with the jugs. Are you using Redneck soap??

If you can get a fishing thermometer (one that is water proof and holds its rreading) youcan find the thermocline pretty easy. I think another way would be to get an oxygen meter. The oxygen is very low or non existant below the thermocline. A third way is to dive overboard and godown til the temp changes. LOL

Hey Grandpa...Welcome to catfishing. What you are experiencing is very familiar to all of us. Now when you do get into them, "how sweet it is ". That's why we keep going back even though we have been skunked so many times before. That's why they call it "fishing" instead of "catchin".
Roger

I had a poor showing at Fork today. I was using Danny Kings and tried a variety of different depths, but nothing shallower than around 15 ft. I caught maybe 10, with only three being keepers. This was my first time fishing for catfish on Fork so I'm not complaining too much. Any tips for that lake?

Todd

Use fresh cut bait or live bait. I think I have caught one channel cat using any of the prepared baits. If the channels are feeding on crawfish that shrimp method is also a good one as mentioned above.

Ohhhhhman. I coulda/shoulda written that starter. Totally understand how you feel. I FINALLY got a couple of keepers out of the Pines last week. Only one problem. I WAS BASS FISHIN' By the way...Zooms green punkin' is the "go to" worm for kittys.

I wish I could offer you something....But, I have long held June to be my worst month to try and catfish. I think trying to pattern them in June is just tough simply because it is a transition month.

I do believe you will have some still on the spawn, and some moving out on a more traditional summer pattern. I talked to an old boy yesterday that was camped at Ray Bob last week and he said it was dink city in his favorite areas, and he was really having trouble patterning them. And, this old boy knows how to catch a kitty when nobody else in the boat is catching kitties. I think he can smell them like a bird dog. Guess that would make him a catdog??

In so far as the thermocline....Well, good luck....I just don't fish the thermocline for kitties so I don't have a clue what to offer. But, in so far as finding it, all you need is a good high pixel density fishfinder to locate it. My 240X240 Garmin will put you right on it. But, I did not notice a well defined thermocline last week on Texoma. Don't know if it has formed up yet?? At least up here.

I still say, if you want eating kitties on up in the summer, chum up your main lake points (4-12ft of water)....The longer the point the better. And, come back in after dark and go to town on them. During the day, I am gonna say look for the shade.....I hate to fish during the day in the summer, so I will not pose as an expert on this. But, I have pulled kitties out from under trees and brush on the days I have fished during sun up.

BTW: I have long said (even though some argue with me), June is the worst month to try and use chum to fish with.....You gotta find the kitties, not expect them to come looking for you. Though I do know at least one guide that is baiting holes right now, and I suspect doing well, even though I have not talked to him. But, baiting and chumming are two different things.

Always had good luck on Rayburn in June and July fishing 12-15' grass flats on a wind-line (N. side of a point with a decent S. wind). Anchor/tie up in the calm water and throw your line into the rough water.

Well I went out yesterday and had my best day in the last two months.
I used up the last 3/4 tub of 24oz Danny kings. Of the 30 or so I caught I manged to keep 13 in the basket and was out of bait by 11:15am having started at 6:30am.
Slip corking the Rip Rap was the key but I think strangest thing is the amount of 11 inch, not quite 12 inch fish I was getting.
Man if a guy had a fish strecther... .
I had enough over 12" and some even went 2lbs plus, nothing braging but stil lgood eating and legal, oh and fun!
Anyway...if this is a slow month Im happy with my results having put around 60 fillets in three mornnigs efforts.Tff'er Curtis_Catfish, the generous author of this spot Im fishing said this particular spot genrally yeilds larger fish and faster numbers. So maybe June has been abit flat,but I wouldnt know it as other than drift fishing Tawaokini(always a good day there) with a coworker,Ive had a terible time at Hubbard with catfish chasing from May thru early June and have been quite happy with this past weekends result!
Im off first 10 days of July...plan on hititng the two lakes hard from the bank,no boat. Hopefully things will hold as is for me if not get better.

Yes fishing right now JUNE & July is the hardest of all the months that you can fish . This can make even a seasoned veteran scream . That is what makes it so great when you do find them . Sometimes I believe that they are there ,but just not biting .Because all the kitties are not stacking up in one place ... GOOD LUCK

It's admazing what this forum does for the economy
granpa only used worms before now look at all the other stuff he uses Funny I done the same..
and will I'm sure do it again