St Cloud Area Get Together 2/24/18 - Fishing Reports? Updated 2/21/18

[smurfy]

3 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

@Borch    could you do a post as to some techniques to try for us catfish rookies?  Jigs, bobbers and bait info. Thanks! 

try the just west of toronto canada thread!!!!!!!!!!!!  sorry, not sure what got into me!!!!!!!!!!

[IceHawk]

Royce there should be pages of info if you do a search some of the Top catters have posted a lot of good info over the years. 

[eyeguy 54]

On ‎2‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 2:33 PM, IceHawk said:

Royce there should be pages of info if you do a search some of the Top catters have posted a lot of good info over the years. 

too lazy... LOL  

[The Chemist]

On 2/1/2018 at 8:53 AM, eyeguy 54 said:

@Borch    could you do a post as to some techniques to try for us catfish rookies?  Jigs, bobbers and bait info. Thanks! 

Tear drops to jigging spoons, i only use glow red spoons w/trebles utilizing snap for quick changes. 

For bobbers, either a spring bobber or an ice buster that is trimmed so that appx 1/8 - 1/4" is above water with no bait. The bite that i was on a couple weeks ago i only had 1 that took the bait with authority.  All the rest, the bobber barely moved.

Bait: i pick up crappie minnows and fatheads. Crappie minnows i use whole when i get lookers but no bites (on a couple of occasions they have turned out to be crappies).  Otherwise with a fat head cut it in half and use either portion, i tend to use the head but either work.

To me i see it all as personal preference and what you are accustomed to. I am horrible at jigging, as i don't have the ability to sense when i have a bite. So most all of my fishing is done dead sticking and an occasional tip-up depending on weather.

 

 Good luck!

[Wanderer]

I had a couple trips planned with people this winter with open dates.  The weekend of the 24th was picked for one so I guess I won’t make this event.

Its kind of disappointing.  Never been to a cat get together and I think this year the organizers are going to make it a great event!  

I will fish those cats soon.  Very soon. 

[Borch]

On 2/3/2018 at 5:01 AM, The Chemist said:

Tear drops to jigging spoons, i only use glow red spoons w/trebles utilizing snap for quick changes. 

For bobbers, either a spring bobber or an ice buster that is trimmed so that appx 1/8 - 1/4" is above water with no bait. The bite that i was on a couple weeks ago i only had 1 that took the bait with authority.  All the rest, the bobber barely moved.

Bait: i pick up crappie minnows and fatheads. Crappie minnows i use whole when i get lookers but no bites (on a couple of occasions they have turned out to be crappies).  Otherwise with a fat head cut it in half and use either portion, i tend to use the head but either work.

To me i see it all as personal preference and what you are accustomed to. I am horrible at jigging, as i don't have the ability to sense when i have a bite. So most all of my fishing is done dead sticking and an occasional tip-up depending on weather.

 

 Good luck!

Sorry I'm chasing crappies, perch and eyes up north.  Chemist did a good summary.  I prefer to jig them with small spoons with 1/2 of a minnow or a chunk of shiner or sucker.  I usually freeze leftover minnows for winter cat trips.

Jig until the cat is close to the bait, hold still and watch the tip closely.  If it moves set the hook.  I like rods with a soft tip but some backbone.  I'm not a spring bobber guy for cats but some guys are and do well.  Bring spare trebles.  You'll need then as the cats are tough on them.

[Wanderer]

I’ve just learned one thing that ups your odds dramatically out here: When the bite slows/stops, try making a post.

The making of this one has been interrupted 4 times now!

Gotta go...

[Tom Sawyer]

13 hours ago, Wanderer said:

I will fish those cats soon.  Very soon. 

Had a fun time out there today, quite the cat chase. Finally pinning down what they preferred , and how they wanted it, the bite was non-stop on the drop. 7' - 14' edge of a large flat next to a deep hole, #6 or #8 Lindy Genz Worm tipped with waxworms or minnow parts.

Sounds like the bite got even stronger at dusk. Your not supposed to worry about sending messages when the fishing is that good. Especially if your limited to when you can put a drop on um'. 

[IceHawk]

Nice Report Tom glad you and Wanderer found some you guys definitely put some effort today with all the moves looking for active schools and as I see you guys were rewarded. 

[Wanderer]

Gotta give Tom all the credit for finding them.  Our 5th stop of the day.  But each of the stops had some kind of fun involved - even a chance to chuck my spear! 

when it happened, it happened exactly like he said it would.  And it was pretty dang fun.  I’ll add something about bite detection since this is an informational type thread:  No bobbers today.  My main catching rod was a 13 Fishing Wicked Ice 24” UL with 2 or 3 lb Micro Ice (can’t recall which I spooled that one with).  Tied the Genz Worm direct.  The day time biters actually gave a bit of a tap when they bit.  Those dusk biters WHEN I WAS POSTING  just pulled the tip down a bit on the dead sticked rod.  A few times I never saw any weight, just a slight lift of the rod tip when they were done checking it out.

I did get a few on a medium action walleye rod but couldn’t detect the bit at all without having the line across my fingers.  It was slight and quick.  Very easy to miss.  So, there’s something to think about if you’re new to this and heading to the GTG.

Thanks again Tom for a kick ass day. 

[Stick in Mud]

That weekend is usually when we get our houses off Mille Lacs, but this year that'll be done a bit early....so I'm hoping I'll be able to make it for the first time ever.  

[Tom Sawyer]

13 hours ago, Wanderer said:

Thanks again Tom for a kick ass day. 

You're welcome! Adventures with Tom Sawyer are always exciting, glad you had fun. Until next time buddy.

[DTro]

So I've never been a big fan of using "alternative" baits, but I tried something for fun on Sat.  I think if there would have been more fish around I would have had more action, because ones that came in, went right for the bait and didn't hesiate to eat.   But i guess that's my own fault for trying a totally new spot and being too stubborn (lazy) to move.  

Might be something to try again for the Get Together.  

 

 

 

 

[IceHawk]

Great VId nice to see you back bud! Might have to give it a shot 

[Tom Sawyer]

Meet up with the GTG coordinator, along with our public relations specialist on the chain today to prefish for Cool Cats 2018. The bite was fairly decent all day, with some flurries of real aggressive fish prowling a shallow flat and its edge from 8' to 14' of water, adjacent to a deep water. 

 Keys to getting fish topside today, was a stationary bait, after a fish showed interest in a slow jigging action. A first lull in the action Chris and I started scenting our baits. We both started to see a more positive response and were turning neutral fish into biters. Jeff and I were doing well using the subtle noise of Clam's Time Bomb Spoon and 1/16 oz Flutter Spoon, along VMC's Chandelier Spoon. Chris had the heaviest fish today using a Maynard's Slammer. All presentations were tipped with minnow heads or tails, and once I found the scent (Unnamed) they purrrrfered, I always made sure to dip my meat. The right scent really seemed to get them croakin'. Itis amazing how those p u s s y cats can be so picky, to what and how they want it.

With little wind, the sun shining, and a hot bite, the chilly temps were easy to tolerate. Great time out there today guys; sharing the story and the sport with friends,is what it's all about. Until next adventure buddies. FISH ON!!! 

[IceHawk]

Definitely was a good time out there. Good bite for sure  The cats were unfortunately  hard to pin down at first. They definitely were running tight to the bottom and were tough to pick up on our electronics. But the positive thing of fishing these shallow water flats is that its usally a good sign in that they are up on these shelves actively feeding. They defianately were keying on glow red spoons today.  Fathead tails and heads were bait of choice. A soft tip rod played a key role in detecting the bite.  I was using a 32 inch Thorne perch sweetheart and when they hit, it was a subtle bite to say the least.  You  would just see the tip load up and by actively setting instantly, wham it was game on. Scent really seemed to play a role when  they had there inactive times. Not sure what potion Tom was using as he kept his secret tight to his sleeve. LOL!  I also had my own secret blend that seemed to help up my odds during the slow times.  Every good Cat man has to have his own little trick Thanks for a fun time today guys always a blast hitting the hardwater with top notch guys  

[Borch]

The bite was definitely light today.  I must have been rusty as I missed 9 of my first 10 bites.  I was using a Jason Mitchell panfish rod which doubled over when I hooked up.  My usual technique of slowly lifting if I wasn't sure.  If the tip loaded just keep swinging.  Glow red seemed to rule the day.  It's usually a good cat color.  Was definitely a fun day.  I can't wait until we get everyone out there in 2 weeks!

[smurfy]

I'd bet you guys were using MEOW MIX scent!

[MN BassFisher]

I wish I could make this outing! I am headed out of town with my Wife that weekend. I recently got up to the Chain for the first time. Thanks to some helpful info from @Rick G a couple of first timers were able to battle with these whiskered fish. We fished near @eyeguy 54 and Rick that day who caught a lot more fish than we did!

I was struggling to get the hang of the whole bobber and spoon bite. Having the flasher down and seeing fish in the column but not near my bait would cause me to be constantly moving by bobber stopper up and down - which wasn't productive. I took the bobber off and started putting a 6mm Tungsten jig with Chicken Liver in front of their face and they would usually bite. I'm itching to get back up there again before the ice gets dicey.

Here's a video of some of our catches from that outing:

 

[eyeguy 54]

RickG is a good teacher.

[IceHawk]

Nice Video guys. That's a  good area but with some warmer temps in the future that ice in that area will get real sketchy in a hurry.  Be safe when going in there. 

[eyeguy 54]

reminds me that I need a new bobber stop from it getting loose. 

[DTro]

I'm going to try and make it up there on Sat to say hi to everyone. I have a couple other things that may happen so it will be a last minute thing.   Last night we pulled in about a dozen in a few hours...more lookers than biters.  They were much preferring the minnows to anything else we had and reacted well to some light jigging action.  

[MN BassFisher]

8 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

Nice Video guys. That's a  good area but with some warmer temps in the future that ice in that area will get real sketchy in a hurry.  Be safe when going in there. 

I can imagine that area gets real sketchy as the ice starts to thin out. When drilling holes we found anywhere from 10" to 20"+ 

[Matt Johnson]

Here's a 14-pounder from out there a couple years back...

 

We've been doing well out there on dropper-spoons and flutter spoons.  Seems to get those finicky ones to go.  They have been pretty fussy this year.  They've been spitting out the set-lines and it's been minnow heads on dropper spoons (change-out your hook to something a little more "stout" ).  Although we got them to go on flutter spoons last week.  

It really depends on the area... if you're fishing them in current areas they are much-more aggressive and actively feeding (although you need to always take caution in those areas and ALWAYS error on the side of safety).  If you're on the lake, then those fish need a little more coaxing to bite and mobility can be one of the more important pieces to the puzzle.  The angler who is hole-hopping seems to out-catch the angler sitting the shack--at least that's what we've seen the last few times out.  Those cats are moving (sometimes very slow) and you just drop a bait on the head really. 

And the definitely bite light like mentioned above by others. A lot of times you don't even know they ate the bait unless you lift your rod up and feel a little bite of weight.  Takes a few fish to get the hang of it if you haven't done it before.  But they are an blast to fish!!

 

[Borch]

That's a tank Matt.  Bet it took some serious coaxing to get it up the hole.  Seems those shallow fish during the day have been the most active.  But they still don't give you a thump.  They just barely suck it in.  

 

[monstermoose78]

I am going to try and make it

[IceHawk]

That's a Beast Matt some good ones out there! Hope you can make it Moose have yet to share the hardwater with you looking forward to it. It will be a great time that I guarantee 

Edited February 13, 2018 by IceHawk

[Tom Sawyer]

A BIG  thanks goes out to Matt Johnson and Clam Outdoors for supporting COOL CATS 2018, by donating some great prizes for this years event. I will leave it a secret to what is in the box in the photo until derby day, very nice .... Looking forward to meeting some new faces, and catching up with some old ones. Should be another fun one!!! 

I also went out to Mills this morning to add some items that have been proven cat producers for me.....The prizes are piling up, everyone should leave a winner

[IceHawk]

Top Notch support from a Top Notch Company! Thanks Matt and Clam. And Hats off to you Tom for the donation in your part. Very classy act.  

Edited February 14, 2018 by IceHawk