Where to catfish

I live in Tyler and I'm wanting to catch some bigger catfish on a rod and reel. I have been chumming spots, on Lake Palestine, with range cubes and catching lots of fish, but all are small. I've heard that you can catch some big cats on Fork, but don't know which part of the lake to fish or if range cubes are the best thing to chum with. I going fishing this weekend....any help would be appreciated

For big cats I wouldn't chum, you're going to attract eating size fish that way. Best way would be moving from spot to spot giving it a bit (15min-1hr) for a bite. Big fish don't get big by eating stuff dropped in the lake!

I'm no catfish expert so take this for what it's worth. I'm sure much more knowledgable folks than me will chime in but here's my 2 cents worth.

First, I would be looking at Tawakoni rather than Fork. Nothing against Fork, it's a great lake. But, Tawakoni has large numbers of Blue Cats, which grow quite a bit larger than channels. I'm sure there are some Blues in Fork but I think they are few and far between.

Second, as said above you need to be using big fish bait. I'm not sure what you've been using but if it's been some kind of prepared bait (punch bait, dip bait, dough bait) then you're going to catch mostly smaller fish. You might get a big bite on it but, again, those will be few and far between. So you need some kind of fresh cut bait (shad, bluegill, carp and the like).

Third, not sure if you're in a boat but I'm assuming that you are. Find a wind blown point and concentrate on that. Put several baits out at different depths until you find the depth where the fish are at.

Lastly, this isn't really the best time of year for catching the really big catfish. Colder months are typically better. Not saying they can't be caught this time of year. And if I were chasing the big ones I'd be using the above approach. But like I said, I'm not an expert and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Good Fishing!

You can catch bigger cats on Palestine right now, but like said above winter is better for the big ones.
DON'T CHUM!!!!! you wont catch one of the slimy suckers every 2 1/2 seconds like with dough bait, but will catch bigger on average.
Use cut bait, I have had best luck on Palestine with cut drum left out to get stinky.
Use cut drum, bream or carp or even buffalo and right now they are piled up off 155 big bridge out in the stumps in 22' to 26' were right on bottom last week (got my crappie rig line broken twice and caught more cats than crappie)
FEDERAL LAW ..... you must take a claw hammer and smack the little slimy suckers in the damn head to feed the turtles if you don't take them home!

As mentioned, big bait. I use live blue gill, cut carp, cut drum, cut gizzard shad, chicken breast, etc... My preference is bluegill. Fishing them side by side with other baits, it does just as well and is easier to get.

If you want to focus on larger fish, avoid using worms, chicken liver, threadfin shad and stink/dip bait. While you can still catch large fish with them, you'll have to deal with all the smaller fish as well.

Since you're in Tyler, by far your best option is Tawakoni. It's the "Catfish Capitol of Texas"!!!

Make it stink. Carry a bottle of garlic powder.
It attracts all catfish.
Sprinkle it on any bait

This is all you need to know. Spot on.

I still think he needs to go to Palestine and when he catches a small one stick it between the eyes and feed the turtles!

They have a 50 fish no size limit because they screwed up in the 70's or 80's when they raised the size limit too much ..... now we suffer because there are too many in the lake!

I wish you could have seen the big cooler of blues some guys were cleaning at Martin Creek Lake last week. They had about a dozen 2 pounders and the rest were around 8 lbs. or so but they caught them on jug lines. Heck, they may still be there cleaning fish...

Lake Tyler has some toads swimming in it.