Channel cats

[mudd_catt]

Hey Guys I have heard two different opinions about what channel cats do in the wintertime in upland lakes. One guy and a couple of articles say that they go to the shallow windblown flats, and rock and such. The other group says that they go to the deep water bordering the old river channels. My experience says that since during the early season trips we catch the channels on the flats (25 ft deep) IMMEDIATELY adjacent to the old river channel(straight drop to 65 ft.) they might be wintering on the flats. ? ? ? anyone care to share an opinion?

[Catfish]

I dont know the answer to this one , but I sure would like to here it =)

[NightTrain]

I will refer this question to one of our esteemed members who is more versed in channel cat activity and habits.The channelcats in my lake don't get much size on 'em(compared to blues),so,they are viewed as a pair of fillets,only,or even worse,a nuiscience,when huntin' hawgs....bet one of these other dudes can clue ya,though.

[mudd_catt]

I would like for someone that knows to enlighten us. All I know is that we had SEVERAL days this past spring where I could cast onto the flat and drag the bait back toward the boat, and get a bite on EVERY cast for several minutes at a time. And I mean every time. So, I know it's got somethin to do with it, maybe?

[mudd_catt]

Oh, yeah. That has happened for the last three years, starting around March, mainly cause I usually don't much as long as there is a hunting season open. SO, I am issuing open invites early.

[NightTrain]

Possibly pre-spawn activity...before moving onto the flats to spawn?

[Channelcat]

for channelcats are either power plant or shallow south Texas lakes that don't get real cold. I catch the channels in the power plant discharges, creek channels in the woods, and on road beds. I bait the woods and the road beds. I also fish the cormorant roosts, and depending on the lake, that could be in five foot of water or fifty five foot. Under the roosts, the channels are usually mixed with the blues and can be suspended anywhere between the top and bottom. I target the smaller fish, one to three pounds so this may not help the guys that go for the big ones. Around the first of November is usually when things get right for me, the weather cools and the fishing is hot.

[TXPalerider]

In Texas we fish the comorant roosts in the winter regardless of depth. As spring (pre-spawn/spawn) approachs the channels move extremely shallow along bulkheads and rock shorelines. Most fish are caught in less than 5 ft of water.

[mudd_catt]

OK, I talked with a local guru, and heres what he said. The channels are (supposedly) wintering in the old channel (50-70 ft) and coming up on the flats (25ft) to feed and get ready to spawn. They are spawning (I believe) in the rock bluffs and crevices that line the banks of Pickwick. This is why on over into the spring we catch so many of them on corks and fly rods against the walls. This same guy said he went Monday and caught/released between 25 and 30 along the channel, bringing home 6 about 3 pounds for supper (which I am eating ;) )

[Channelcat]

wouldn't be a guy named Phil would it? I know he loves to catch "Cats on the Rocks".



OK, I talked with a local guru, and heres what he said. The channels are (supposedly) wintering in the old channel (50-70 ft) and coming up on the flats (25ft) to feed and get ready to spawn. They are spawning (I believe) in the rock bluffs and crevices that line the banks of Pickwick. This is why on over into the spring we catch so many of them on corks and fly rods against the walls. This same guy said he went Monday and caught/released between 25 and 30 along the channel, bringing home 6 about 3 pounds for supper (which I am eating ;) )

[mudd_catt]

Nope, according to local opinion, dis guy told Phil how to catch 'em. Anyone else ever catch a 5 pound channel on a 14 ft crappie pole?

[Channelcat]

four on a fly rod. Probably from one of the cracks in the rocks you have caught a few. You should have seen my wife with an ultra light spinning rig pitching nightcrawlers on the rocks.


Nope, according to local opinion, dis guy told Phil how to catch 'em. Anyone else ever catch a 5 pound channel on a 14 ft crappie pole?

[Catfish]

I caught a 4#er on a 10' canepole -- Does tha qulify ?

[mudd_catt]

Channelcat, sounds like you done been where I am talkin about. ;)

Catfish, we'll count that one.

I usually use the crappie pole with a spinning reel and 8# test until either my arm gets tired or my partner starts outfishing me, then I will go to a medium casting rig with 14# test, all this under a slip cork about 3 ft deep. just like bream fishin.

[Catfish]

It was really funny .. I was actually fishing for Bream .. I had no reel - Just a conventional style cane pole rig .. So I had no extra line ... I was just lucky the fish didn't head for the middle of the pond .. I had to run with him up and down the bank .. hehe ... A real challenge with 4# test line ... Gotta love it ...

[Channelcat]

the Indian Creek area, J.P. Coleman along the Tombigbee, and along the main lake around the mooring cells. Lots of great rocks on Pickwick.


Channelcat, sounds like you done been where I am talkin about. ;)

Catfish, we'll count that one.

I usually use the crappie pole with a spinning reel and 8# test until either my arm gets tired or my partner starts outfishing me, then I will go to a medium casting rig with 14# test, all this under a slip cork about 3 ft deep. just like bream fishin.

[mudd_catt]

From Indian Creek and J.P. Coleman, which is actually halfway up the lake on Pickwick, all the way down to the mouth of Yellow Creek, is for me the best rock fishing for channels that a person can find. It has all the favorite spots a channel likes. Rock slide, treetops, and crevices in rock walls, all with quick access to deep water. We done tore dem UP along dat section of river.

Channelcat, when you get ready for a rematch, just let me know, we'll jerk a few holes in dem lips. Matter of fact, this goes for anyone that makes it to the area.

[Channelcat]

the rocks now? I was going to come up this week, but an unexpected trip to Alaska came available and I decide to take it instead. I know it's the wrong time of year, but I'm still going.
I do plan a trip probably in April, that's when I have done the best on the rocks and down the river around Savannah.
Yellow Creek...isn't that just up the lake from Holiday Hills ramp?

From Indian Creek and J.P. Coleman, which is actually halfway up the lake on Pickwick, all the way down to the mouth of Yellow Creek, is for me the best rock fishing for channels that a person can find. It has all the favorite spots a channel likes. Rock slide, treetops, and crevices in rock walls, all with quick access to deep water. We done tore dem UP along dat section of river.

Channelcat, when you get ready for a rematch, just let me know, we'll jerk a few holes in dem lips. Matter of fact, this goes for anyone that makes it to the area.

[mudd_catt]

I haven't been on the rocks in a couple of months. I been too busy slangin' de stik-n-strang to wet a hook.. Besides, I am without a boat suitable for fishing the rocks until at least the spring. Also, usually catch 'em on the rock around the first of the year. Yellow Creek is the section where the Tombigbee Waterway leaves the TN river and heads south. Right out in front of this is a KILLER spot for big blues and channels.

I don't fish on the rocks downriver very much, usually drift and achor on the holes around Coffee Landing if I go that far down. You get ready in the spring just let me know.

[Channelcat]

my down river fishing is drifting the deep holes and ledges around Wolf Island.
I'll shout when I head that way, probably in April. You know shilored?



I haven't been on the rocks in a couple of months. I been too busy slangin' de stik-n-strang to wet a hook.. Besides, I am without a boat suitable for fishing the rocks until at least the spring. Also, usually catch 'em on the rock around the first of the year. Yellow Creek is the section where the Tombigbee Waterway leaves the TN river and heads south. Right out in front of this is a KILLER spot for big blues and channels.

I don't fish on the rocks downriver very much, usually drift and achor on the holes around Coffee Landing if I go that far down. You get ready in the spring just let me know.

[mudd_catt]

Is Wolf Island the one just upriver from Savannah? I have only fished that section one time, I usually fish the main lake, if I go downriver, I go to Shilo.

I don't know shilored, should I?