Duh, just realized Jimbo wanted a comparison with carp and not perch, but hey what the hell I'll compare all three.

thanks for the intel on that spot, i haven't bank fished in a while out there, but sounds like i might have to give it a try. i hear what you're sayin about those reds, they really are fighters. since yall are on the topic of bait i stumbled onto somethin last summer and i was wonderin if any of yall had tried it. we were settin trotlines out there one night and usin tilapia, and a fella saw us catchin those tilapia and told us that we should take those fresh live tilapia 2-4in size works best, and then cut off the head and tail, and then hook them where you cut off the head so the body cavity holds the guts. we caught a lotta cats that night to 20lbs. and have continued catchin on it. anyone heard of this or tired it?

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Outdoorsman

Hey Buerich, my fishing buddy has tried that and I have seen him catch bigger cats than me on the poles.

Hey Buerich. I've heard of people using those talapia guts and catching fish on them but have never tried it myself. Always wondered how they would rig them on the hook? A treble probably. But the way you discribe would probably do the trick. Mac. I've got a question for ya. On that bank that you told us about also where I caught my red, do you wade out and cast and then walk the rod back to the bank. I just made a long cast and ended up throwing off several baits. Also I had a problem with what I quess to have been gar because a few times I ended up with half a perch and noticed teeth marks. I don't think jaws is loose but who knows what they've stocked in that lake. Anyway just curious as to how far out are you fishing because it seems like it is awfully shallow even with a long cast. Good fishin! Jimbo

Unclejess. This ones for you. I've got to go along with you on the shad and you can't beat the price either. Have you read that thread and I couldn't even remember what forum it was on but they were talking about how to freeze shad for later use. They said to take cherry flavored cool Aid and mix it about 1/3 with water and make sure the shad have a coating on them and put them in baggies and freeze. The Kool Aid supposed to toughen up the shad so they don't turn mushy. I think this would clasify as a "Punch Bait". I know don't quit my day job, right? Anyway sounds like its worth a try. Like you the shad pickens have been slim lately. I've also used squid before on trotlines and it does work pretty good but don't know about R/R but never used it but I don't see why not. Good fishin! Jimbo

I use to fish for catfish with Mac all the time, that is when I was in california. But since I now live in Dallas, it's tough to find fresh mackeral so I mainly us shad now. Fresh Mac makes better bait than frozen one because the meat becomes very mushy and falls off the hook easily. But to chose between fresh shad or frozen Mac. Fresh shad will win. At least that's my experience. Another good bait is Ghost Minnows. Unfortunately you can't buy Ghost Minnows, you have to catch it.

More on the shad as bait. I went to Calaveras yesterday and fished shallow early but the wind kept getting stronger so I switched to drift fishing using three rods. One baited with shad and the other two baited with squid. The shad rod caught twice as many as the squid. Ended up with 22 channels and one gar. Most caught drifting.Gopast the railroad bridge to the left of the cable.
unclejess

Jess. I was just thinking obout this today. Drift fishing that is. To my knowledge I haven't heard of anyone doing this for some time. I used to do it several years ago. We would start close to the dam and drift over those humps out in the middle almost directly out from the boat launch and crappie wall. We would drift perch or talapia and hook them by the lips and caught several hybrids up to seven pounds. I don't see why it wouldn' work on the reds and cats. People are probably doing it but I guess I've been fishing lately with blinders on. Funny how things get locked away in your memory bank and suddenly surface again. OH well the old grey matter never ceases to amaze me. I'm going to have to try that drift fishing expecially with all the wind we have had it should be the ticket. Good fishin! Jimbo

Hey Jimbo, yes I wade out till I am chest high in water then cast towards the 2 towers on that powerplant. If you cast to far to the left there is a big drop off about 30 yards from the bank and you are almost sure to get stuck there. I can usually cast it out pretty far with a 2 oz weight on my leader. I do not use the conventional or traditional cat rigs, i use a two drop leader with a 2oz weight and two #4 treble hooks for punchbait or 2 Gamakatsu #3 worm hooks if I am using cutbait, shad, mac, liver, or shrimp. Everyone has told me that I would not catch much because of the heavyness of the weight and leader, but I do pretty good and wont change a thing.

Jimbo also before I forget I did go tonight to try the perch/mac/carp and got skunked bad. Not even 1 bite my bells didn't even ding once except when I bumped my rod accidentally. I left around 12.30 am got there at 7.30, havent been skunked like that in a while, didnt care for anything and I threw out everything I had; shad, mac, perch, carp, liver, shrimp, crawfish (frozen), Dks, Jpiggs, and even small snake that I ran over when I got there. Will try again on Monday night got to fiesta this weekend!

Mac. thanks for the good info. I'm not glad to hear that you didn't have a bite, but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that happens to. Have a great time at fiesta! This is probably one weekend where the lake will be pretty empty. I know its been that way in the past. Again thanks for the Info! Good fishin! Jimbo

The shallow water bite wasn't there this morning. Only caught 3, then I started drifting. Ended up with 12 but no size to them. I can't for the life of me, find the Blues. I mostly drifted out from the big reed bed before you get to the high lines to the right. Any ideas?
unclejess

Jess. If you can find those shad with your fish finder on the edges of those creek channels the blues should be there. I fish that area and have caught some really good blues in that area, but you have to locate those shad schools. I've been having trouble locating them recently but when you do get ready. Good fishin! Jimbo

How plentiful are the reds there at Calaveras? I have always wanted to try them but hat is about a 4 hour drive for me from here in North Texas.

Thanks,

Scott
www.lookatmyfish.net

sbursik. This site should help answer your question. www.texasfishingguides.org Also go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/regions/instate.htm and yes they are plentiful! Good fishin! Jimbo