04-01-2011, 08:02 AM
Here's my input. ... i use different styles of cattin for different types of water, it also depends on how large of cats your looking for. If I'm fishing a lake I'm using no weight or a tiny split shot..and you Can get away with using mushy soft stanky baits like chub or shiner.. or if I'm fishin a river like the bear or Jordan I'm using a slip setup or a three way rig, depending on the current. For instance right now the bear is roaring and I use up to 2 oz to get it to hold in the holes I like to fish, in This case I use a pyramid or no roll sinker on a 3 way rig with a sturdy bait like carp or sucker meat. When the water drops in the bear in the summer I use little or no weight .
Selecting hook size depends on the size of bait You intend to use and the size of cats Your chasing.. I use 0/2 to 0/5 circle hooks on the bear, but I'm also using 3-6 inch whole carp or sucker, or slabs of carp and sucker filets And I rarely catch cats under 3-4 lbs and up to 20+lbs. If I'm fishing smaller baits like 1-2 inch strips of meat for smaller cats like at Willard I typically use sz 4-2 owner mosquito hooks very sharp and work great!
As for bait selection. .. the best baits for me are FRESH go buy a cast net and start chuckin! See what kind of forage is available.. the fresher the better. If That's not an option then hit up sportsmans and see What the have got frozen, they usually have Chubs, shiners, sucker slabs, and anchovies.. all of which work well, Or even pick some up while grocery shopping, I've done well on cut talapia, raw shrimp, even Wheaties balls with strawberry jello mixed... the smaller cats aren't real picky, its the ones that get over ten that get a lil finicky. Also if Your looking for large cats, plan on some after dark excursions!
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Selecting hook size depends on the size of bait You intend to use and the size of cats Your chasing.. I use 0/2 to 0/5 circle hooks on the bear, but I'm also using 3-6 inch whole carp or sucker, or slabs of carp and sucker filets And I rarely catch cats under 3-4 lbs and up to 20+lbs. If I'm fishing smaller baits like 1-2 inch strips of meat for smaller cats like at Willard I typically use sz 4-2 owner mosquito hooks very sharp and work great!
As for bait selection. .. the best baits for me are FRESH go buy a cast net and start chuckin! See what kind of forage is available.. the fresher the better. If That's not an option then hit up sportsmans and see What the have got frozen, they usually have Chubs, shiners, sucker slabs, and anchovies.. all of which work well, Or even pick some up while grocery shopping, I've done well on cut talapia, raw shrimp, even Wheaties balls with strawberry jello mixed... the smaller cats aren't real picky, its the ones that get over ten that get a lil finicky. Also if Your looking for large cats, plan on some after dark excursions!
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