Last few weeks - MDfishing.org

last few weeks

space inwaders 09/07/2009 - 20:26 Trip Reports I slacked off a little over the last few weeks, but that only means fishing once a week or so. I haven't had any special catches in the last couple weeks either. Last walleye was caught over 3 weeks ago.

Everywhere i go on the river lately, tons of minnows. Once or twice i've found fish feeding on them and had some good luck. Most times recently, no action.

I was out on one of those active evenings about 2 weeks ago, caught a couple smallies, lost a few fish that felt like walleyes, and hooked into a new personal best channel cat. This is the biggest i've seen on the upper river. 28 1/2" long and FAT. I thew my 1/16 oz jig out as far as i could with a smoke/flake 4" grub and let it sink near where i saw surface action. Tap, tap, hooked into this nice catfish. It was quite a fight on a 6'6" ml, i got it in to shore twice, only to have it pull 20' of line back out before landing it. I'd estimate this one at 12 pounds or so.

i've caught more cats on lures this year than previously on bait, i swear.

-steve

WOW!

Captwalleye 09/08/2009 - 19:14 NICE ONE! I saw a few of those the other day on a float.I did manage one of 21.5"and that bad boy gave me a small "Nantucket Sleighride".Those fish are tough and plenty of fun.
The river being so low has got the Walleye playing different games.I hit it this past Monday morning in the early am.I had to do some prowling to to finally hookup.I found them below a ledge with about four feet of water.The wind was blowing upriver,and when I got there there were no baitfish.I kept checking around and finally the minnows arrived and shortly after the Walleye.
We need some rain and a rise in the river.That happens...stand by for action.Stay on them!

Nice cat!

Steve826 09/07/2009 - 20:43 Dude, that is one nice cat! Nice job, and the 'eyes will start coming as soon as the water cools down. Stay on 'em.

Steve

thanks

space inwaders 09/10/2009 - 20:06 thanks guys, it was a fun catch for sure, best cat i've seen on the upper river, but i know they get bigger.

early am, thats a good idea, i might have to do that tomorrow morning.

-steve

Cats

Steve826 09/10/2009 - 20:10 State record was something in the high-twenties range, caught in the UP. A 12 is still a great cat...but they sure do get bigger.

Have you been out for blues at all recently? They still bite in the warm water.

Steve

not recently

space inwaders 09/12/2009 - 22:02 steve, haven't been out for blues in a while. Definitely need to, last year i caught my PB, in early july, and my dad got one for his birthday in early august. These fish were approx 50 pounders!

Annie has a date with a monster blue, we just dont know when, i plan to make some time to get out that way soon. Its a much longer trip and takes alot more planning where i live now vs where i used to live last year. You also need to watch the tides when planning the trip.

We will make it out that way before too long. From what i know they bite all summer, and pretty well into winter too, although they seem to be condensed in the winter and don't roam around much. I they roam through the area where i've caught them. I'd do well to find some other areas to try for these bruisers. You can never have enough places to try.

Wow didnt' know the md record channel was in the 20's and caught in the upper, i'd expect more big channels in the lower river. Interesting. I used to mainly fish for cats in the upper, and only seen a couple around 20" until this one. This was a treat though catching it while fishing a jig vs still fishing bait. It might not have been 12 pounds, maybe 10. i dont know, but it was fun=)

-steve

State records

Steve826 09/12/2009 - 22:18 I just checked the DNR page. State record FRESHWATER channel is a 28 from the UP. The TIDAL record was a 29-10 from the LP near Mattawoman. Still, not a big difference. There are probably bigger ones in both...

Steve