Crazy Channelcats

[Bowhunter57]

This evening, the sky cleared, the water calmed and the fish were biting. I caught a few smallies, but they were too small to keep. Even so, they are always fun to catch.

The channelcats were huge! I lost one that flat out ignored the fact that he was hooked and he was headed for the other side of the planet.

After that one, I backed off on the drag and it paid off, as the next one was a 24" fish. The 22" channelcat was caught on a Rebel crawfish crankbait, but the 24" cat was caught on a Repala Original Floating Minnow.

To make the evening even more enjoyable, the sky was good company.

22" and 24" Channelcats.

Bowhunter57​

 

[Bowhunter57]

The madness continues...

Trolling along the bank, in about 12' of water, minding my own business...when, WHAM a channelcat hits one of my lures. I have never caught my limit of anything, but as of today I can say I have.

As Jim Carey would say, "Somebody stop me!"

6 Channelcats: 14", 2 - 18", 22", 24" and 26".

The stringer:

The line up:

The filets:

Bowhunter57​

 

[Dskiper]

Hello, Great catch!FUN!FUN!Good eatin!All on plugs? they were aggressive.I also enjoy channel cats on theDelaware River here in Jersey.This mild spell put the fishin afew weeks ahead of normal.good fishin,dzs

 

[Bowhunter57]

All on plugs?

Dskiper,
Yes, floating crankbaits...both shallow and deep runners. Mostly natural colors, but I've had my share of hits on black/chrome and blue/chrome colors too.

I troll with my kayak, keeping it parallel to the bank, while watching my fishfinder and trying to stay over any ledges or drop offs. I'll run the deep diver on the drop off side and the shallow runner between the bank and my kayak.

Channelcats aren't the only fish to hit these lures. Often I'll catch walleye, saugeye, crappie, smallmouth and sometimes the odd largemouth or pike.

Bowhunter57

 

[Dskiper]

Yes i think the kayak is agreat tool for fishing! I like the show on TV.He fiishes all over! If I were younger I'd loose some weight and buy one of the ocean kayaks.I need room to move or cramps will take over.I'm movin to Florida soon so bass lakes would be good for a kayak.Good channel catin in Florida,can't wait!! dzs