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new to catfishing (Black Dog)


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New to catfishing but have been out 10+ times late this summer/fall. Both miss and mn. I'm close to black dog and leaning towards that as my "home turf". I fish from shore and need help!!! I have been trying 6"suckers near jams but no real luck.

I've been reading all of u guys' postings for a couple of weeks trying to learn the basics but I still need advice. I am 22 and am not in a financal situation to buy a boat yet. However, I have a lot of time to fish and need advice on where to get bait in the southern metro (cuz they are pricey and always die where I buy em at). Also need general advice about shore fishing near black dog if any body can.

OOOPs also If somebody could give me afordable idea's as far as starter rod/real combos. I'm originally a walleye guy so I am using a med rod with a decent spinning reel with 20 pound mono. AND from reading your postings I know I need a upgrade!

Sorry to run my mouth(or my sore fingers)

Any help is greatly Appreciated!THANX

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Are you after channels or flats?

Since you're talking about bait dying, I'd guess you want live bait, so probably you're after flatheads?

I've had 30 years experience shore fishing channels, but none on flats

Also, you should copy and paste your original post into a new post on the "Catfish" board. There are folks posting there with lots of experience who don't get over on this board much.

As for affordable, for less than $100 you can get a Berkley E-glass Reflex rod and an Ambassadeur 6500 C3 or C4 baitcasting reel. The E-glass is the best for cats. Rod will run about $30, The 6500 is sort of the longtime standard for lots of big pike, musky, catfishing. It's strong, longlasting, has fast retrieve and a spool clicker feature that allows you to have it on freespool with the clicker rattling when a fish picks up and runs. Reel about $65 on sale at WalMart or KMart, where you almost always get the best prices on name brand stuff because they buy in such bulk.

Line in flat land will have to be pretty heavy in case you tie into a monster. For channel cat line, 25/12 Fireline is good, as is any tough, abrasion resistant mono in 20 to 25 lb.

For either species, you'll want to go light on equipment so you can move around from shore spot to shore spot.

------------------
"Worry less, fish more."
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 09-12-2003).]

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stf has you on the right track.

Fishing Black Dog you are obviously looking for flatheads. It is not the absulute best area, but the area does hold some Flatheads, and will produce.

Yes.. you need to upgrade your equipment. A large flathead will eat your standard walleye gear in no time and leave you frustrated without a fish.

The Reflex rods are very good rods and affordable. There are many rods on the market that will stand up to flats for a very economical price. For a reel be sure not to go too cheap, spend a couple extra bucks. The baitcaster a 6500C3 is an awesome reel and will hold up to most anything, if you only fish spinning gear you will be most happy with a reel with a bait alert(free spool with clicker), but if finances only allow a cheaper reel, be sure to go BIG.

For line at Black Dog, and most other places in general I would highly recommend going at least 30 lb test in a quality line of your choice. That area has alot of snags, and flats often run for them.

For bait I usually get mine at Hayes Tackle Plus on Lake street when fishing with suckers. If possible, catch some bullheads and use them for bait... They last much longer and kick.

When fishing Black Dog try casting close to shore in areas with steeper drops, thats where I get my best luck.

Good Luck.

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Wow,
thanks alot guys. I'm going to beef up in the off season with what you guys recomended. Believe it or not the other night I landed a 35" flat by black dog with my med action walleye tackle. Granted I did throw on some 20 lb line. And it just about took me in the drink with it. But 3 nights ago I was out there and tied into what felt like a bigger one that simply man handled me and hung me up near shore and I lost it so now I am putting a little more priority in getting some new gear.

Thanks for your help

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have yet to fish the miss. for cats but here in Indiana I fish the ohio, white and walbash. I would suggest getting a longer rod. You will be able to set faster and harder and take out slack. You will also have better control if you float bobbers thru stick-ups. What I did when I first started was purchase the first In-fisherman video ("Toad" & Doug). After that I was hooked and had a little better understanding of the basics. I had rented it first, save money. There is also a few other videos out there which may help, if you can find a place that rents these I would check out a few. I watched a few with a couple of friends and I had a few more fishing companions after that!

Good Luck!
Tad

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Yep, that first In-Fisherman cat video with Toad is a classic. They have 4 or 5 other good videos also. The Dan Gapen River-Rat series is fun to watch too. Great stuff for someone new to catfishing. Vern

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