Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Well the cats for me are slowly getting bigger. I had one just under 10lbs, the scale showed 9.7lbs to be exact. Nothing huge but slowly going in the right direction.

DSC00409.jpg

Fished the MidTown stretch during the heat of the day with FMer John. We only managed a half dozen or so, but it was nice to get out again.

Might try the MB stretch, has anyone been out up there? How is the water level there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Glad to see your getting on the river. It most have been a long wati with the higher water you had all summer. Good job.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was just wondering myself when the big ones are gonna start biting? I've been out probably seven times in the last two weeks and only managed three nice cats, but lots of little ones. I've been trying bigger bait and everything. confused.gif Any feed back that would help is much appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice fish Loren!

Why aren't the big ones biting? Could be location, could be timing, could be bait, could be any number of things really.

The big fish disappearing act is typically associated with the spawn. With the way the water levels have been up and down and up and down this early summer, it could be the fish have finally started to do their thing.

What sorts of baits you fishing?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chris- I tried sucker and goldeye with sucker being the only one getting fish. I found some kids that are going to load me up on Kermits, so maybe the action will pick up using those grin.gif

I tried a variety of locations too with wood still being the best option.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, them hoppers will be a great option for you soon. I haven't been up by MB- the South access is too close to me now to bother heading up there. Glad to see you are finding a few bigger fish now.

Regarding Hanson's comments about spawning- I gotta believe that's about wrapped up for the year and the big fish will be good to go now. Water temps are high enough so I don't think spawing is still going on here in the Fargo area. My guess is that if you stick with it, you'll find some bigger fish very soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Regarding Hanson's comments about spawning- I gotta believe that's about wrapped up for the year and the big fish will be good to go now. Water temps are high enough so I don't think spawing is still going on here in the Fargo area. My guess is that if you stick with it, you'll find some bigger fish very soon.


Thats pretty much my feeling as well. But with the volatility in water levels, you just never know what them critters are going to do to pull off a successful spawn.

Our flathead cats down here have definitely finished up, about 1-1/2 weeks ago, the bite turned around in a BIG way! Channel cats were done about 3-4 weeks ago, about the end of June. I'm catching something around 10lbs every time I go out, its just been unreal for nice, solid channel cats the last month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys the cut up sucker is about the only thing we can catch anything on as well, we've tried frogs, shrimp, smelt, and goldeyes, but the little cats seem to suck those right off the hooks. I'm using 5/0 circle hooks. Is that too big, or too small? And as far as location we've tried holes, snag piles, and spots that most people would't think about fishing. Do you guys use live frogs or dead frogs? Thanks for the info Chris and Loren.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I'm using 5/0 circle hooks. Is that too big, or too small?


IMO... perfect. You could slide down to as small as 3/0 and go as big as 8/0 if you wanted. I like 5/0, 90% of my channel catting is with a 5/0.

Quote:

And as far as location we've tried holes, snag piles, and spots that most people would't think about fishing.


The other spots are in between all those spots. smile.gif Shallow runs up (or down) from a deep hole can be good. I like setting up alongside the outside bend down from a hole. Seams like cats in the hole are just "hanging out" while cats in the shallower water are out on the prowl. Runs that have bumps (2-4' bottom variation) in them can be good as well.

I'm convinced you can catch a cat anywhere you toss a line in the Red River. There are so many of them that they use a lot of different structures, even if we don't think they are structures.

Quote:

Do you guys use live frogs or dead frogs?


I kill kermit before he goes on the hook.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks alot guys. I was out tonight for three hours and managed to catch three bigger ones on kermits, a 30",32",and a 34". My buddy caught one 31" on cut sucker.We also managed to catch four others in the 25-28" range.By far our best night out. Your imput has helped out greatly. Thanks. smile.gifsmile.gif I think the frog bite is picking up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ray-

Nice job on the kitties! Sounds like thinks are looking up for you! I am hoping for the same luck grin.gif

What hours have you been out in the evening and what areas have you been fishing? wood, flats, holes?

I am thinking of staying out after dark tomorrow night and wouldn't mind getting into a few fish.

Drop me a line if you wish, as I have a few other questions for you as well... [email protected]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Time 6-9:30 pm grin.gif and i have not fished any latter. I'll tell you where as soon as i figure out why i can't email anyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's your email? Maybe I can send one thru to you?

I struck out finding frogs tonight as well crazy.gif Anyone know if the bait shops in town carry any? I would really like to try some tomorrow night.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Loren,

Check out D&H bait just East of Dilworth. They're spendy, but they usually have frogs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you're in the Horace area, go to the east side of town and ask anyone over there that has a rambler if you can look in their window wells. I was over there last week and a friend's window wells were filled with frogs. I live on the west side of town and for some reason all I usually see are a bunch of toads.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FYI- last night we only mustered up two cats, but they were 10.1 and 15.9 lbs. Both came on cut sucker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Scoot, we ended up with 9 cats all but 2 were under 4lbs. One was 15.2 & 10.3 so I thought it was a decent night for us. You must not have been south as we were the only boat out of the Convent Landing.

All but 2 fish came after dark otherwise it would have been a dismal night for us. Frog and sucker caught our fish and I ran out of frog after the 2 big ones were caught crazy.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

anyone else find catfishing slow this weekend or was it just me!! Fished both Friday night, and saturday day with just a hand full of small cats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.