You're taking my comment(s) out of context... If you understand what that means. And why would it get closed? I have not broken any rules.

Go back and read each one of my posts, in order, and then come back and apologize sir. I haven't bragged one bit. That pic was from another thread and someone else posted it in here (also using it in a slanderish way). Haha I swear some of you guys must have very LOW test scores.

Now back on topic... Things that DON'T make you a real catfisherman.

#1 thing that makes you not a real cat fisherman- disrespecting proven and respected cat fisherman.

 

The #1 thing that doesn't make you a real cat fisherman:

Worrying about everyone else's techniques and then bitching about them on internet fishing forums.

Boom!

 

Ok I'm surprised this thread hasn't been closed but let me add my 2 cents....a real catfisherman teaches other how to catch catfish and teaches new techniques to beginners they don't trespass on property with a pink pole and a rooster tail and then post pictures and brag about the catch, which is probably the biggest fish you've ever caught.....it's not all about the size of the fish or how may you catch it's more about the sport and teaching the sport to others and preserving the water ways for future people....also even if you make your own bait you are still paying for bait you have to buy the supplies or like me if you use a cast net to get shad you still pay you have to buy the net.....


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You're taking my comment(s) out of context... If you understand what that means. And why would it get closed? I have not broken any rules.

Go back and read each one of my posts, in order, and then come back and apologize sir. I haven't bragged one bit. That pic was from another thread and someone else posted it in here (also using it in a slanderish way). Haha I swear some of you guys must have very LOW test scores.

Now back on topic... Things that DON'T make you a real catfisherman.

 

Ok..............

 

As stated, it's about the fisherman not the line. Nothing irritates me more than someone using chicken wire to fish with, especially for cats.

Great story Carver!

lol chicken livers are a great back up when your cast net is coming up empty...get over yourself!

Also, yes i agree it takes a skilled fisherman to know what bite to set the hook on, to fight the fish, to control the fish. The line is a tool used in the process...i feel comfortable with 65 lb braid, i like the feel, i like the strength, and when my hook gets snagged, i guarantee i wont have to re-rig....just tools of the trade.

 

How about a top ten list on how you know you're a real catfisherman.
Example:
1. you spend loads of money on shrimp each week and tell your wife not to touch it because it's for catfish.

It's OHIO! Shrimp aren't even in these waters. I will never understand why one would want to cheat AND waste their money on shrimp when u can catch bluegill and shad for free.

 

My biggest flathead was 49 ponds out of Clendening again while fishing for bass with a crankbait. I was using 12 pound test and a seven foot med action rod. I got it out of the snag I caught it in, I got it out on the snag it swam into, and then I got it out of the snag it found out in the middle of the bay. It took 40 minutes to land it and I did it with my drag and rod action and patience. I don't fish for catfish, but I catch many on relatively light equipment while bass fishing.

As stated, it's about the fisherman not the line. Nothing irritates me more than someone using chicken wire to fish with, especially for cats.

Great story Carver!

 

August, 2011 - Lost the largest catfish I've ever hooked on the GMR on 20 lb. mono around the anchor line. Losing a fish to broken line can be devastating...+1 for 40 lb. Trilene Big Game in solar green, or 50-65 lb. Power Pro braid around heavy wood cover. Just my .02


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How about a top ten list on how you know you're a real catfisherman.
Example:
1. you spend loads of money on shrimp each week and tell your wife not to touch it because it's for catfish.

 

My biggest flathead was 49 ponds out of Clendening again while fishing for bass with a crankbait. I was using 12 pound test and a seven foot med action rod. I got it out of the snag I caught it in, I got it out on the snag it swam into, and then I got it out of the snag it found out in the middle of the bay. It took 40 minutes to land it and I did it with my drag and rod action and patience. I don't fish for catfish, but I catch many on relatively light equipment while bass fishing.

 

Thanks for your insight! You won't snap lines if you use drag properly. Heavy line isn't needed.

I can't believe this thread is even still going.

Its obvious you are not a seasoned Catfisherman, When you start catching some decent sized catfish you will understand what everyone is trying to tell you. Ive seen plenty of guys do everything right when bringing in a large cat. with 20lbs + line. and still have their line break. And if you think simply using your drag will bring you in any size fish. Your just plain wrong. and you will learn that with time.

When I first started cat fishing, I did like you and used small test line. and After some real amount of time spent on the water I realized to bring in more than half my catches I needed to upgrade.

 

nothing like posting a dang book. if I wanted too read a book, i'll go buy 1..;

 

he will learn when he watches his trophy flathead snap his line before he can get it in..

 

You cant be patient with big cats in structure. Its a recipe for failure.

I quickly see i wasted an hour of my time. Lol. I should have known better.

Good luck brother. One day things may make sense to you.

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With all due respect. .... its not quite that simple. I could break this down for you but it would take probably an hour of my time to type it up on my smart phone.

A 50lb flathead will exert more than double, than that of a 25lber....on average. And i assume thats what you based your formula on....just want to point that out. Now all fish dont fight the same, I have had lazy 30s and I have had some 15lb brawlers, but genrally speaking the above is true. Just because you caught a good channel on light gear doesn't mean you will consistantly win that battle. I wont argue your weight of the channel you caught or the line you were using....but id bet money that you will lose well over 50 percent of the channels that size you catch on that line.....for your sake a 10lb channel on 4lb test in a pond void of structure. Now im not sure how many fish you catch but I do know that most serious flathead guys have spent well over 100 hours in between fish. My running record was about 200 hours in 2011. When you go through that kind of drought you dont wanna have a 50% catch rate. Now if your fishing for eater channels maybe you dont care to lose a few when you catch two dozen in an outing. My point is that these guys have too much time, money, etc... invested to risk losing a fish over line failure when it can be avoided. Therefore they go with line that will hold up. Some guys who drift big rivers for blue cats may go with as light as 20lb test when drifting structure lacking cover. Flathead guys fishing cover such as log jams will opt to use much heavier line....30 lbs test is the bare minimum. Some guys will even laugh at that. You have surely read this in posts below...but I wanted to reiterate it for you.

Secondly. ..

You could argue that most conventional reels used for catfishing only have drags of about 15lb...some serious guys will use reels with drag a little over 20lbs. Check abu garcias alphamar reels....a crazy amount of drag.

You may then ask, So if reels can only exert 15 to 20lbs of pressure why does one need heavier line?

There are multiple reasons but the main reason is because of abrasion from the cover that "real catmen" target. If a fish gets wrapped up your line is going to rub and start to lose some of its strength. In addition, some guys will thumb thier spools to add more pressure on the cat and stear it away from structure. More pressure calls for heavier line.

Its not cheating, its being a sucessful catfisherman. If they were interested in a challenge of landing fish on light line they'd go crappie fishing or something. Most real catmen go after cats because of thier size, to them the challenge is to catch the biggest fish in a given body of water.

Now by now most real catmen have walked away from this post, but trust me just because people have stopped arguing with you does not mean you have won the argument or that you are right. I hope you have caught catfish fever and want to pursue the hobby. You have much to learn...and maybe in a few years you'll look back at this thread and laugh. Ive had that experience many times, it shows me how much I have grown.

Yep I was right...just about an hour to type. Lol

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Thanks for your insight! You won't snap lines if you use drag properly. Heavy line isn't needed.

 

Simple algebra says that if you can catch a 10# fish on 4# test, you can get a 50# cat with 20# test. 4/10=20/50 (Simple algebra). A good reel with an angler that knows how to use drag is all you need. It's not in the line.

I stand behind my rule. If you're using anything over 20-25# tops, you're cheating. Bottom line.

With all due respect. .... its not quite that simple. I could break this down for you but it would take probably an hour of my time to type it up on my smart phone.

A 50lb flathead will exert more than double, than that of a 25lber....on average. And i assume thats what you based your formula on....just want to point that out. Now all fish dont fight the same, I have had lazy 30s and I have had some 15lb brawlers, but genrally speaking the above is true. Just because you caught a good channel on light gear doesn't mean you will consistantly win that battle. I wont argue your weight of the channel you caught or the line you were using....but id bet money that you will lose well over 50 percent of the channels that size you catch on that line.....for your sake a 10lb channel on 4lb test in a pond void of structure. Now im not sure how many fish you catch but I do know that most serious flathead guys have spent well over 100 hours in between fish. My running record was about 200 hours in 2011. When you go through that kind of drought you dont wanna have a 50% catch rate. Now if your fishing for eater channels maybe you dont care to lose a few when you catch two dozen in an outing. My point is that these guys have too much time, money, etc... invested to risk losing a fish over line failure when it can be avoided. Therefore they go with line that will hold up. Some guys who drift big rivers for blue cats may go with as light as 20lb test when drifting structure lacking cover. Flathead guys fishing cover such as log jams will opt to use much heavier line....30 lbs test is the bare minimum. Some guys will even laugh at that. You have surely read this in posts below...but I wanted to reiterate it for you.

Secondly. ..

You could argue that most conventional reels used for catfishing only have drags of about 15lb...some serious guys will use reels with drag a little over 20lbs. Check abu garcias alphamar reels....a crazy amount of drag.

You may then ask, So if reels can only exert 15 to 20lbs of pressure why does one need heavier line?

There are multiple reasons but the main reason is because of abrasion from the cover that "real catmen" target. If a fish gets wrapped up your line is going to rub and start to lose some of its strength. In addition, some guys will thumb thier spools to add more pressure on the cat and stear it away from structure. More pressure calls for heavier line.

Its not cheating, its being a sucessful catfisherman. If they were interested in a challenge of landing fish on light line they'd go crappie fishing or something. Most real catmen go after cats because of thier size, to them the challenge is to catch the biggest fish in a given body of water.

Now by now most real catmen have walked away from this post, but trust me just because people have stopped arguing with you does not mean you have won the argument or that you are right. I hope you have caught catfish fever and want to pursue the hobby. You have much to learn...and maybe in a few years you'll look back at this thread and laugh. Ive had that experience many times, it shows me how much I have grown.

Yep I was right...just about an hour to type. Lol

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I stand behind my rule. If you're using anything over 20-25# tops, you're cheating. Bottom line.

You should ask Scott Martin about this...he would definitely disagree!

 

Put the shovel down! I'm not sure what's more shocking. How ridiculous you sound, or that you don't realize it.

Thanks for your opinion. Now move along please and do not post if you can't add to the topic.

 

Put the shovel down! I'm not sure what's more shocking. How ridiculous you sound, or that you don't realize it.

 

Agreen Please listen to me, put down the shovel down and climb out of the hole.

You are insulting respected catmen that put a lot of hard work and time into what they do. There are times and situations where purchased gold fish and Israeli carp are going to be the best option. What is swimming in that body of water is not always your best option. If you don't understand why, well ill let you finish that sentance.

As for chasing 30-50 pound fish that are mostly found around big rocks and log jams. You can use whatever line you like but I would not insult somone for using the appropriate line for the situation.

You are also for no reason repeatedly draging out a topic that is better off left alone.

And last of all. For no reason should a grow man handle a fish with gloves.



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Not dragging anything thing out. It's simply my opinion. I won't mention paylakes anymore, sorry. I'm having a debate now because so many people can't get past their ego (I'm the one taking insults) and just discuss a topic.

No gloves! That's what girls do haha

 

Ok, how about the number 1 rule that makes you a "real" catfisherman.

#1. If you go on a fishing trip and target a cat species, you're a real catfisherman.

I happen to use 2 MH 7.5' rods(walmart cheapos) with 20# braided line and 1-3oz. tear drop sinkers depend on current and bait size. I may be no pro, but this has done me very well as I have only lost one trophy cat and never broke a line even in rocky and logged out cover with a fish on. (knock on wood) IMO, the line weight doesn't determine your success rate. It is your patience and ability to not wrench in the fish like Jeremy wade landing a 600# stingray that does. At least in my experience. Keep in mind I will go in after a hung up fish. Bouncing a cat fish all over rocks and logs isn't a battle, its a massacre.

Not knocking anybody for using heavy line, simply stating that's its not necessary. As far as pole size, yes length gives you leverage, but I think fighting a 30# flattie or bigger on a 7' pole is half the rush for me.

As far as baits go, who frickin cares. If your using liver or dough getting some channels and bulls and is what you like, then do it. You wanna use cut and live bait for big ole flatties and blues, do it. Just make yourself happy.

Now as far as paylaking, we all know through digital warfare on this sight the downfalls of pay lakes, but the term is used way to loosely. If you walk up on another guy on the river and fish ten feet from him, your not paylaking, you're being disrespectful. Heck, most pay lakes have rules for space between fisherman and even their own two poles. Wild waters don't!

Id also like to say( and as an anti-paylaker) that taking wild fish for your own pond affords the same consequences as those doing it for profit. The sole difference is a savings profit vs. a monetary profit. Either instance, its a matter of cheapness and impatience by being unwilling to purchase farm bred fish. Granted a home pond gets no where near the amount of pressure as pay lakes, and so the fish may not share as much suffrage, but it still removes wild fish from wild breeding habitats.

On to the topic of using gloves. I do not use one as I'm too cheap too buy one. I usually just handle them without lipping them. I actually have a free one of the "Ove Gloves" I considered using. Reason being, if I could ever catch a big cat while fishing with a buddy and not just on solos, a lip pic would be awesome to have. Now I haven't got an issue with pain in my hands as I'm a cook and play with fire all day. But consider this, I prepare food for a living, and I'm pretty sure most would not like me handling their food with open wounds. I KNOW health inspectors do not. Like all things in life, it all comes down to circumstance!

As far as all the bashing on here, I thought this was a sight with grown ups. I didn't realize this site was designed to bash people and put their skills or lack of down. Probably why I just stick to reports and stay away from discussions most the time. You don't like what someone says, ignore em. You don't have something useful or constructive to say, why bother speaking. If drama is what you're after, why bash people you don't know and will never meet? Go on a talk show or something.

As far as trespassing with a kid, I would not recommend or condone it at all. But I am willing to bet 90% of the people on this site have trespassed before to fish. Like any other addiction, the urge can overwhelm the best of em!

So there's my 2¢ plus about $18. Don't like it, don't take it so serious. Don't Care what makes others happy, make yourself happy. As long as you obey the law, no one can stand in your way.



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Thank you sir!

To set the record straight we weren't trespassing, I've already stated that. There may have been a NO FISHING sign but there was not a No Trespassing sign.

And you're right. Any real fisherman has been there before. If not, they're a damn liar!!

I apologize if I offended anyone, including the mods, that was NOT my intention. Check my post history - I haven't posted in years nor have I read up lately, been too busy working and fishing. This is my opinion - don't like it, don't read.

It's obviously an interesting (or entertaining) topic....

So, let me break it down for you and clear the air. No, I didn't steal my daughters pink pole. She wanted to be a big girl and use my grand dad's ultra light that was passed down to me, leaving me stuck with the pink ultra light. These are the things you do for a little girl - give her what she wants! For the third time - I was teaching her how to throw rooster tails to catch bait fish. Its not a contradiction to my rule about using lures for cats. We were not fishing for cats. We were targeting bluegill species. The cat I caught was complete luck. I never said it wasn't. That was a small one that weight 10lbs.

Simple algebra says that if you can catch a 10# fish on 4# test, you can get a 50# cat with 20# test. 4/10=20/50 (Simple algebra). A good reel with an angler that knows how to use drag is all you need. It's not in the line.

I stand behind my rule. If you're using anything over 20-25# tops, you're cheating. Bottom line.

 

Ok, how about the number 1 rule that makes you a "real" catfisherman.

#1. If you go on a fishing trip and target a cat species, you're a real catfisherman.

I happen to use 2 MH 7.5' rods(walmart cheapos) with 20# braided line and 1-3oz. tear drop sinkers depend on current and bait size. I may be no pro, but this has done me very well as I have only lost one trophy cat and never broke a line even in rocky and logged out cover with a fish on. (knock on wood) IMO, the line weight doesn't determine your success rate. It is your patience and ability to not wrench in the fish like Jeremy wade landing a 600# stingray that does. At least in my experience. Keep in mind I will go in after a hung up fish. Bouncing a cat fish all over rocks and logs isn't a battle, its a massacre.

Not knocking anybody for using heavy line, simply stating that's its not necessary. As far as pole size, yes length gives you leverage, but I think fighting a 30# flattie or bigger on a 7' pole is half the rush for me.

As far as baits go, who frickin cares. If your using liver or dough getting some channels and bulls and is what you like, then do it. You wanna use cut and live bait for big ole flatties and blues, do it. Just make yourself happy.

Now as far as paylaking, we all know through digital warfare on this sight the downfalls of pay lakes, but the term is used way to loosely. If you walk up on another guy on the river and fish ten feet from him, your not paylaking, you're being disrespectful. Heck, most pay lakes have rules for space between fisherman and even their own two poles. Wild waters don't!

Id also like to say( and as an anti-paylaker) that taking wild fish for your own pond affords the same consequences as those doing it for profit. The sole difference is a savings profit vs. a monetary profit. Either instance, its a matter of cheapness and impatience by being unwilling to purchase farm bred fish. Granted a home pond gets no where near the amount of pressure as pay lakes, and so the fish may not share as much suffrage, but it still removes wild fish from wild breeding habitats.

On to the topic of using gloves. I do not use one as I'm too cheap too buy one. I usually just handle them without lipping them. I actually have a free one of the "Ove Gloves" I considered using. Reason being, if I could ever catch a big cat while fishing with a buddy and not just on solos, a lip pic would be awesome to have. Now I haven't got an issue with pain in my hands as I'm a cook and play with fire all day. But consider this, I prepare food for a living, and I'm pretty sure most would not like me handling their food with open wounds. I KNOW health inspectors do not. Like all things in life, it all comes down to circumstance!

As far as all the bashing on here, I thought this was a sight with grown ups. I didn't realize this site was designed to bash people and put their skills or lack of down. Probably why I just stick to reports and stay away from discussions most the time. You don't like what someone says, ignore em. You don't have something useful or constructive to say, why bother speaking. If drama is what you're after, why bash people you don't know and will never meet? Go on a talk show or something.

As far as trespassing with a kid, I would not recommend or condone it at all. But I am willing to bet 90% of the people on this site have trespassed before to fish. Like any other addiction, the urge can overwhelm the best of em!

So there's my 2¢ plus about $18. Don't like it, don't take it so serious. Don't Care what makes others happy, make yourself happy. As long as you obey the law, no one can stand in your way.



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Enough with the Paylake crap.
We asked nice the last time.
I guess we'll just have to start infracting people who won't cooperate.

 

I won't call my self a real catfisherman but I catch a couple of flatties in the 20 to 30 pound range just about every year while throwing crank baits for bass in the Ohio River. And my line is 12 pound Yo Zuri hybrid copolymer. My last fish of the year last season was a 29 pounder just before dark in the mouth of a creek. And that is fun.

 

Well I got two custom made 12 foot poles with 50 pound mono. I use a chain link for a swivel because you never know when you're going to hook that biggun. I always wear gloves even when I bait my line, and cast out. I wear sunglasses at night when I catfish. I go to petros lake in canton at night and go trolling for catfish with my special recipe bait.

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