# Cat Chat **URL:** \ **Category:** Utah Contests\ **Created:** [March 13, 2020, 12:20pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872 "2020-03-13T12:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SkunkedAgain](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/skunkedagain/32/53758_2.png) [@SkunkedAgain](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/SkunkedAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/44 "2020-03-31T04:00:00Z")
_Weather was anything but what I like to fish, it was windy cold and lots of waves but the cats didn’t care. Had my best night in a long time. Caught 8, half over 26" the others were 22-24" and fat nice fish. Had a pair of 27’s to help my score, it was a fun night, but nothing like the south is catching. Later J_ ---
**Author:** ![Boatloadakids](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8baadc/32.png) [@Boatloadakids](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Boatloadakids)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/45 "2020-03-31T18:54:41Z")
Hey Jeff, the weather sure ain’t slowin’ you down. Nice cats you just entered. The weather has most of us southern catters sitting around just waiting for fishable water. I think most of us fish Utah Lake and the weather has been cold and windy. I’ve been out twice now and I have only caught one cat, a good one at 28 inches but we should be making some hefty catches by now. Top fish(s) entered so far are 28.5 inchers. I’ve been expecting John to post up a 30+er any day now. Better weather coming so watch for the south to rize – fast! 🆒 And another thing; last time I checked there were a dozen or so more southern catters than northern. All the more reason for you nothern guys to be looking over your shoulders. This is the year for the south! 😛 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SkunkedAgain](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/skunkedagain/32/53758_2.png) [@SkunkedAgain](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/SkunkedAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/46 "2020-03-31T22:21:06Z")
Hey Lynn, it might be the south’s year you definitely have us out gunned, but with John and Paul and the rest of us misfits and a little luck, I expect we won’t make it easy. Been saving all my 30 plus fish for this year. Let’s hope the weather will cooperate soon. I was a little surprised to see so many big fish out of Utah Lake this early. Hope we start finding some better fish up here soon. Be a shame if we have to play catch up. Later Jeff ---
**Author:** ![Ahi1953](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/ahi1953/32/53750_2.png) [@Ahi1953](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Ahi1953)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/47 "2020-04-02T13:57:42Z")
Where are the Fish? The bird refuge has always been good to me this time of year. This year I can’t even catch bait. The southern boys are pulling out some nice fish, catrat with a nice 29 inch tieing it up with Jeff 81 inch total. ---
**Author:** ![Jig-fisher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jig-fisher](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Jig-fisher)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/48 "2020-04-02T15:50:13Z")
I don’t know what it is, but you are right, the fish just aren’t biting. I haven’t seen many carp acrobatics either, which usually gets going when the river starts to warm. Water is still pretty cold right now. There is snow on the ground at work this morning and the Bear runs just to the east of here on its way down to the refuge. ---
**Author:** ![Ahi1953](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/ahi1953/32/53750_2.png) [@Ahi1953](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Ahi1953)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/53 "2020-04-07T12:03:01Z")
Me To Forest But I had to change PW again. Anyways glad it did now if I could only find some catfish. See the south is tearing them up. Nice 29.5 from Ben (ice sled). ---
**Author:** ![Tin-Can](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Tin-Can](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Tin-Can)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/54 "2020-04-07T16:49:32Z")
\*\*Well John glad to see you made it back on. Wife and I hope to put the boat in t he river Saturday. At least maybe get some carp. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Ahi1953](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/ahi1953/32/53750_2.png) [@Ahi1953](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Ahi1953)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/56 "2020-04-09T12:11:53Z")
Was real slow yesterday. only a few tugs on the line for me. Seen Forest think he was doing about the same. I found that the santee rig works best later in the season when the big boys (30+incher) are out. ---
**Author:** ![Tin-Can](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Tin-Can](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Tin-Can)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/57 "2020-04-09T12:39:46Z")
**Yea, I did just as good…or bad :sick: Did start seeing carp splashin just off the far side bank. Tried to cast a worm rig out in their general area. But even with a 3 oz. pyramid weight, couldn’t quite get the line far enough out. I had 2 lines in, 1 with a 5/0 circle hook on 50lb. braid, and a new (for me) bait. Stopped at Kents on the way out yesterday looking for some chicken livers. They were out, but saw a small bag of “gator” tail meat. Now I have eaten gator tail, deep fried in south Georgia / Florida. But never tried it as a bait. It’s tougher than chicken liver, stays on the hook better without a bait bag. Think I may have had some nibbles on it, but nothing wanter the wole chunk. Will try it again this Saturday. 2nd line was a smaller bait hook with worm and changed it up a few times for a medium flig, small Santee rig, and no float just on the bottom. Got my worm back a few times with evidence something had been biting it, but again, not taking hook. If this nicer weather holds to Saturday, wife and I will try putting the boat in and work up the river on the far side bank. I did land a big 60 inch plus…tree limb…:rolleyes:** ---
**Author:** ![catchinon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@catchinon](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/catchinon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/61 "2020-04-09T21:10:31Z")
I know my wife is a little happier now that I sold my little old boat yesterday. Birthday present from his dad for an eleven year old. Fun. ---
**Author:** ![Tin-Can](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Tin-Can](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Tin-Can)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/63 "2020-04-10T17:31:54Z")
> [@SkunkedAgain](#): > > I’ve been catching fish, but can’t find anything over 27".. Think I’ve got 7-8 at 27" so far but nothing better. Starting to wonder if there are any bigger fish this year. Wife says I’m grounded from fishing till I get my old tractor fixed and sold so I may have to work on that. Later J > > \*\*Well, hopefully thats cuz all the bigger Cats are making their way down to the Bird Refuge…:rolleyes: \*\* > > * * * > > _“Cowboypirate” pid=‘1097498’ dateline=‘1586479153’ wrote:_ > > Only got in about a hour of Cat time at the refuge this evening before the front pushed in with high winds. Cookie got a small one right away and missed another. I spent my time playing with the Deeper Chirp mapping the river bottom. Today they did hit the Santee rig this time strip of carp and tipped with a little bloddy liver for additional sent. Carp action on the increase. > > \*\*Mapping the bottom..? Were you out on a boat? Wife and I are planning to put the Tin-Can (14.5 foot Lund) in at the BR Ramp tomorrow. I know the middle of the river should be deep enough at least down to the hunt club. But the ramp looked a bit like I’ll be putting the trailer into mud to get it far enough out to float the boat up out of the trailer. \*\* > > * * * > > _“catchinon” pid=‘1097412’ dateline=‘1586446416’ wrote:_ > > “It’s fun to be ahead as a team this year. We’ve taken a beating the last two years and I think we’ll get the bragging rights back this year. But I know it’s silly to declare a winner in a horse race when they’re only two jumps out of the starting gates, so don’t think we aren’t wary of you Northerners. Once you get untracked it will be a real horse race. But we have some prime players waiting in the wings. Both Pisco and R2U2 are on the injured reserve list but should be back soon. (Don’t you love mixed metaphors?)” > > **Craig, I’ve been fishing the BFT Cat Contest for 5 years now, so I know full well better than to make a brash statement that the North Team is gonna for sure come back and beat up on the South…again 😊. But, I have seen the contest changed literally over night by one guy (I believe it was jig\_fisher’s brother) so when we start getting some constant warmer weather, and a few more of us, what Jeff calls “misfits” get the chance to get out on the water more often (like me in June after I retire) better be holding on tight. Entirely possible South could win this year, but you will know you been in race. And I’m gonna do my best again this year to poach one of UL 36 inchers. 🆒** ---
**Author:** ![Ahi1953](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/ahi1953/32/53750_2.png) [@Ahi1953](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Ahi1953)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 11:45am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/65 "2020-04-11T11:45:01Z")
The North side of reeders is closed past the fence. Dang them be some nice cats Cookie ---
**Author:** ![Tin-Can](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@Tin-Can](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Tin-Can)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2020, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/66 "2020-04-11T12:00:46Z")
> [@Cowboypirate](#): > > Forest, I tried to upload some video clips of the river bottom to show you the depth profile , but cant get them to drop in - will keep trying. I was not in a boat. Just stopping at some of the standard spots and using my castable sonar. I can dang near get it all the way across with a cast. I mapped decent depths near the BR launch. Towards the middle, I was getting pretty steady 13-10 ft. In that area, I did find spots that jumped up pretty quick to 3 or 4 ft. Its a fun toy, but Cookie keep fishing and catching while I play Lewis/Clark doing depth soundings. Fortunately she has not tied into any size yet, so I still stand a chance of not being totally humiliated. > > Maybe you or John know, I used to hike up Reeders Cannal to the inlet as a young lad and do well. Not sure these days if it’s off limits. Signage is not clear and I cant run very fast anymore if I am wrong. > > Here is a photo of Cookie, many years ago, getting a few in that general area. > > [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/6/6f8166959fd3044b57b46472b0a9291644328c69.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/zhB43Q6) > > * * * > > And I should clarify, Forrest, by BR ramp, I mean the one right before the gate, with all the parking. > > **Yes sir, those are some nice size Cats. Far as the Reader flow question, John covered that. Right there at the north side of the bridge, the wire fence is the start of closed property on both sides of the canal. But if you put enough weight on the line and cast up-channel there have been some nice cats caught in that area. I lost 2 last year right at the bank below that big boulder. Got wrapped up in some branches too far down to reach with my net. There is lots of underwater snags all along in there, close to the bridge and for first 100 yards or so on the down stream side of the bridge. But a bit later in the year when the carp are spawning and the water level is lower, you can snag a few carp for bait right off the bridge. > Thanks for the depth info. I should be able to pass on a bit more intel later today. Have a safe and Happy Easter** ---
**Author:** ![SkunkedAgain](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/skunkedagain/32/53758_2.png) [@SkunkedAgain](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/SkunkedAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/68 "2020-04-13T15:55:16Z")
> [@Ahi1953](#): > > Can’t beleave the lower Bear this year. Found a few early then it’s been Dead. We’ll see if the Easter bunny has hidden any this morning. > > Happy Easter All > > Hey John, I hope it wen’t well… It got cold up here last night, had 1/4" of ice on a bucket of water, so I’ll bet the cats are a little slower this week than last… Maybe your deep river will be the better location this week… Good luck and hope you start to find your big ole friends.. This is unusual not having you on the top of the contest from start to finish… But I know once you get them started you’ll be back on top… Good luck my friend… Jeff ---
**Author:** ![SkunkedAgain](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/skunkedagain/32/53758_2.png) [@SkunkedAgain](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/SkunkedAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/70 "2020-04-15T14:06:58Z")
Good luck on that patent… What did it say about yesterday afternoon? I took my FIL out to relieve his stir craziness and we picked up two little 17 & 22" cats and Rich got a nice mid 20’s carp that about pulled him in… It was so breezy that when we pulled in to go, our lines had all been pick pocketed and no bait was left on any of them, but with the wind we didn’t recognize any bites… except the three that about pulled the poles in the water… I was kind of surprised we caught anything with the wind and cold, but I guess they still want to eat sometimes… Later Jeff ---
**Author:** ![SkunkedAgain](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/skunkedagain/32/53758_2.png) [@SkunkedAgain](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/SkunkedAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/71 "2020-04-17T15:29:21Z")
_Ran out after work last night, mostly because I had a free minute to try… Well nothing was biting and I seen some carp raising their fins in a protected slough about 200 feet from where I was fishing, so I took a pole with a crawler and went to cast for a carp… As soon as I casted out, I noticed my bobber on my other pole, that was still casted out in my first spot took off, I ran for it, but was too late… That was the only bite of the night… luckily I had the free spooling lever flipped so it didn’t take my pole… So much for my timing, should have stayed where I was… Maybe tonight will be better, hopefully warmer and less windy… Later Jeff_ ---
**Author:** ![Cowboypirate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/cowboypirate/32/53741_2.png) [@Cowboypirate](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Cowboypirate)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/72 "2020-04-18T02:17:46Z")
Was not on the hunt for Cats today but rather some bait. Hit our little honey hole with some carp rigs (hair rigs) and bottom worm rigs on small hooks. Chubs, Carp, and Suckers were on the agenda. Suckers cooperated - Cookie picked up 8 and I added a few when I was not taking a nap. Also got a few chubs and carp. Then little Cats started to show up to entertain us. No size but added some fun to the day (I posted them in the contest just so I had some points). maybe some fresh bait will improve our bite in the morning [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/3X/0/b/0b32cff206968714893a12a64a0ab577ad6671f6.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/H2TKMQR) ---
**Author:** ![Jig-fisher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Jig-fisher](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Jig-fisher)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/73 "2020-04-18T02:54:28Z")
Nice job on getting some great bait. Good luck on the cats. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboypirate](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/cowboypirate/32/53741_2.png) [@Cowboypirate](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Cowboypirate)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/74 "2020-04-18T20:31:41Z")
Early morning run at BRBR was a zero. Did get to talk to John as he headed past to try his luck. Hope his lines were tighter than ours. If I get all Cookies yard work assignments complete she may let me escape for an evening try ---
**Author:** ![Ahi1953](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/ahi1953/32/53750_2.png) [@Ahi1953](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Ahi1953)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872/75 "2020-04-18T23:49:41Z")
I only found one Cat and one crap. But it sure was a beautiful day [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/bigfishtackle/original/2X/4/4b46b499c5b4bdb616696588813777b3858eb1a4.jpeg)](https://ibb.co/fq41rXS) [Previous page](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/cat-chat/318872.md?page=3)