Vinylguy 4,666 #1 Posted February 9, 2018 Just wondering how many of our members enjoy cat-fishing. My best friend (brother from another mother) was a Mississippi river catfish guide in New Boston Illinois back in the 90's. Fishing the river from Muscatine Iowa to Fort Madison Also A top catfish tournament angler. I myself have never been much for cat fishing but an avid Bass angler. Always thought cat fishing was slow and boring. Little did I know that Gary ( Cowboy ) Schrock was more than just a guide on the river. He also traveled the Country doing catfish seminars for Bass Pro Outdoor World and others. I found an interesting article about the THE SCHROCK DRIFT RIG authored by Doug Stange from In-Fisherman So I am asking all avid Red Square Anglers to post here so Gary can prove me wrong on the popularity of catfish. I think most of us prefer Bass to Catfish? How about you ? Bass vs. Catfish 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 5,295 #2 Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) I would much rather fish for catfish. I like bass fishing but not as much. I like to relax and take a nap when I fish. Edited February 9, 2018 by JPWH 6 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #3 Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, JPWH said: I would much rather fish for catfish. I like bass fishing but not as much. I like to relax and take a nap when I fish. Thanks Jay Catfish 1 Bass 1 Share your big fish pics. Here's one of mine. Buddy is not impressed. Edited February 9, 2018 by Vinylguy 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,501 #4 Posted February 9, 2018 While I do enjoy the fight of a big flat head, cat fishing is a bit slow for me. I would much rather cast for Bass. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,953 #5 Posted February 9, 2018 Well Terry. I'm going to vote for bass. But I'm not sure my vote should be more than half value. You see up here in Maine the growing season for fish is only about 5 months long so we just can't make em like you Southern folks do. The type of catfish that you're referring to don't exist up in my neck of the woods. Around here they are called either bullheads or hornpout depending on who you are. Really don't get much bigger than about 15 or 17 in Long. There are several lakes in my area that have a good strong upstanding population of largemouth bass. The Maine inland fisheries and wildlife department does not want them in there because they are trying to maintain trout Fisheries, not bass Fisheries, so they put a No Limit status on bass in those certain Lakes. That's the reason I prefer Bass. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #6 Posted February 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, Achto said: While I do enjoy the fight of a big flat head, cat fishing is a bit slow for me. I would much rather cast for Bass. Thanks Bass 2 Cats 1 1 minute ago, ebinmaine said: Well Terry. I'm going to vote for bass. But I'm not sure my vote should be more than half value. You see up here in Maine the growing season for fish is only about 5 months long so we just can't make em like you Southern folks do. The type of catfish that you're referring to don't exist up in my neck of the woods. Around here they are called either bullheads or hornpout depending on who you are. Really don't get much bigger than about 15 or 17 in Long. There are several lakes in my area that have a good strong upstanding population of largemouth bass. The Maine inland fisheries and wildlife department does not want them in there because they are trying to maintain trout Fisheries, not bass Fisheries, so they put a No Limit status on bass in those certain Lakes. That's the reason I prefer Bass. Well thats very interesting Eric. We have a slot limit here on Bass to help keep the big bass population healthy Return all bass 12 to 18 inch and only keep 1 over 18. I love bass fishing but after going to the river with Gary I understand his passion for hunting the giants on the Mighty Miss. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,369 #7 Posted February 9, 2018 About 17 years I was all about night fishing from the shore for catfish even the little ones put up a healthy fight, it could be slow but NO sunburn, but one night after a good late spring rain storm thr ex and I headed out (was recovering from a hernia surgery) and from about 9:00 to 10:30 we had hooked and released 30+ cats( ranging from 10"-24" long) before we ran out of chicken livers, one of my uncles that got me started is still into big time as he has several WV state citations for size/weight from an 11 acre resiovor, I hear there's some monsters in the James River here the state of VA don't know as I haven't made it to find out yet, but as my parents have aged, kids and job (life in general) just haven't found the time to for this hobby as of late, but with all my ramblings Catfish, Trout, then Bass for me, Jeff. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,509 #8 Posted February 9, 2018 On No, I misread the title, I thought you wanted to see cats fishin! 4 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #9 Posted February 9, 2018 Just now, 953 nut said: On No, I misread the title, I thought you wanted to see cats fishin! I just knew someone would do this but really thought it would be Craig AMCRules 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,953 #10 Posted February 9, 2018 23 minutes ago, Vinylguy said: We have a slot limit here on Bass to help keep the big bass population healthy Return all bass 12 to 18 inch and only keep 1 over 18. We have rules that vary, body of water to body of water. I'm lucky enough to live near a couple of those that the state does not want the bass population to overwhelm the trout population so they keep no limit on bass most of the year or all of the Year, depending on where you are. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #11 Posted February 9, 2018 4 minutes ago, Vinylguy said: ... thought it would be Craig AMCRules 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,690 #12 Posted February 9, 2018 Should have started a poll Terry. I vote cats... but nothing better that the tussel of a nice smallie either but then again nothing better that Cajun or blackened catfish. Oddly enough I live on the intersection of some better catfish rivers in our state but never went until my kid got into it. Keeping the snapping turtles off is our problem. Going sturgeon spearing tomorrow so maybe have some pics of a big dinosaur fish for ya. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,505 #13 Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) Back in the day when I fished for fun it was for bass (purple worm , white stripe and triple weed less hooks) and they all got thrown back as we didn’t eat bass . Catfish, bullhead I just cut my line wasn’t even going to touch one . Now if we’re talking keepers it’s walleye, perch, or a big mess of pan fish . Edited February 9, 2018 by ACman 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #14 Posted February 9, 2018 We used to catch an occasional catfish while out fishing for crappies in Wisconsin in the '60s. But I didn't start eating catfish until the '80s. One of my employees would pick it up on Fridays from a restaurant on the South Side of Chicago at at 79th and Vincennes. I enjoy it smothered with Hot Sauce! Now I order it anytime I find it on a menu. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #15 Posted February 9, 2018 6 minutes ago, ACman said: Back in the day when I fished for fun it was for bass (purple worm , white stripe and triple weed less hooks) and they all got thrown back as we didn’t eat bass . Catfish, bullhead I just cut my line wasn’t even going to touch one . Now if we’re talking keepers it walleye, perch, or a big mess of pan fish . Thanks Jeff I am totally catch and release bass but pan-fish are the best for eating. nothing better in our area. favorite though is walleye shore lunch in Canada I just posted a poll. Figured out how to do it all by myself. Thanks Jim Thanks Jim figured out how to do a poll. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #16 Posted February 9, 2018 I like Nortern Pike fishing, also do some bass and walleye 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,256 #17 Posted February 9, 2018 I've gotta go with catfish. Florida has some mighty fine spec fishing and you can't beat a big mess of fried spec but catfish comes so close. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,608 #18 Posted February 9, 2018 That stringer of JP's got my mouth watering! Just love them fried in a hot skillet of butter! For eating; #1 Channel Cat, #2 Walleye. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,879 #19 Posted February 10, 2018 Really whatever bites but bass are fun. Me and my daughter after a day on my brother in law’s boat. First time fishing in years. Had a great time with my daughter. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,229 #20 Posted February 10, 2018 OK...put me down for catfish. I need to digitize some of my photos to put them on here. give me a couple of days. it will be worth the time to wait. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,690 #21 Posted February 10, 2018 Alll fishermen are liars Dino except and me and you and sometimes I ain't sure about you! 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tims tractors 119 #22 Posted February 10, 2018 Walleye, Channel cat, Flathead gotta love it !!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #23 Posted February 10, 2018 We are lucky in our area here, much like Terry - but the local areas of the Illinois river are still pretty polluted and we avoid it , the DNR doesn't recommend eating the fish so I'm not interested. We do have one really nice resource - the I&M canal system and that slow steady water breeds some huge cats - some State record sized at around 5 feet long and 60lbs. For the few times we do get out anymore, wife and I will keep 3-5lb sized cats - I cut them up and either deep fry or grill them, tasty stuff and I don't think we've ever eaten it out of any food joint - just doesn't make sense to us since it's widely available in our waters. I did one very large cat that was nearly 30lbs, man was thing one muddy, fatty tasting bugger and put me off keeping any of the large ones around here. 3-5lb seem to be the best flavor and the lighter speckled channel cats are the best versus the dark flat heads. Don't get me wrong - bass is fun but I'm out there to relax, sit in the shade with a cold drink and enjoy the outdoors. A lot of buddies are avid fish nuts and own boats n stuff that cost more than most folks' homes - just not my thing. I'm there to catch dinner most times, or at least stock up the freezer on catfish chunks, lol. Sarge 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #24 Posted February 10, 2018 20 hours ago, 953 nut said: On No, I misread the title, I thought you wanted to see cats fishin! I apoligise for Dick, BRF Influenced him LOL 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,229 #25 Posted February 10, 2018 Here are some old fish pictures. Coho salmon Steelhead Couple of Brown Trout and the catfish (channels) 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites