With June finally starting to feel like actual summer, it’s catfish time across Alabama.
Though cats are caught throughout the year on Alabama lakes and rivers, there’s definitely an uptick in their activity as the water temperatures climb into the 80s. And the full moon just past inspired a major spawn in many lakes and rivers around the state, with channel cats, blues and flatheads all moving to shallow water cover to nest.
In the river systems, including the TVA lakes, many of the fish move up river prior to spawning, and when they are blocked by one of the dams, they remain milling around in the flowing water below the gates for several weeks at a time. That’s happening right now in the upper end of Pickwick Lake below Wilson Dam, according to Captain Brian Barton, a catfishing specialist.
“You can fill a cooler in the flowing water below the dam pretty quick right now,” Barton said. “Just drift along the edges and put down a piece of cut shad, a gob of worms or a chicken liver with enough weight so it bumps bottom now and then and you’ll load up on them.”
Barton said the catfish are not the giants he sometimes catches in cooler weather, but they’re nice eating size up to 5 or 6 pounds. (If you’d like to get some tips in person from Barton, visit his website at www.brianbartonoutdoors.com.)
Fish are also showing up in the headwaters of Wilson Lake at Wheeler Dam, and the headwaters of Wheeler Lake at Guntersville Dam.
Basic bass fishing gear is adequate for small catfish, but somewhat heavier line can be a plus due to the frequent snags of bottom-fishing. Catfish are not leader-shy—25 to 30 pound test braid with a couple feet of 30-pound-test mono leader does the job. Many catfish specialists use heavy-action 8-foot fiberglass rods and 6000-size baitcasters, just in case they hook up with one of the giant blues or flatheads that patrol the rivers—both sometimes exceed 50 pounds.
Size the hook to the bait—a 6/0 Kahle style is a good all around size, though anglers specifically looking for the larger cats go up to 8/0 and more. A piece of shad or skipjack about 4 inches long gets the most action—smaller baits don’t put out enough scent, and bigger ones sometimes make it hard to hook the fish.
Catfish tend to hang in schools, so if a drift produces once, it’s likely to be worth repeating until it dries up. On the other hand, if no fish are caught on a drift, it’s better to switch locations and keep moving until fish start latching on.
Modern sonar can help, just as in bass fishing. Cats generally show up on or very near the bottom, and they particularly like areas with lots of broken rock or ledge overhangs. A steady current turns on the bite, though too much flow can make it hard to get baits down and control the boat. When the current stops, the fish usually don’t bite well.
It’s a different game than chasing bass with artificials, but sit down to a platter of fresh-fried catfish fillets and you’ll find it well worth the change.
Bassmaster Elite Tournament continues at Guntersville
Bass tournament fans around Guntersville are in for a treat through Monday as the Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers continue competition that started Friday out of Goose Pond. Both the 6:00 a.m. take-offs and the 2:15 p.m. weigh-ins welcome the public, giving anglers a chance to get a good look at the pro anglers’ gear and, on the final day to hear their tactics and lures revealed.
The Bassmaster Outdoors Expo at Goose Pond, continuing Sunday starting at noon, offers demo rides on a Nitro, Skeeter or Triton boat, the Berkley/Abu Garcia Experience trailer, kids’ activities and food and beverage vendors.
TVA will present its mobile fish aquarium and B.A.S.S. sponsors will offer prizes and information about their products. Goose Pond is just south of Scottsboro on S.R. 79. See details at www.bassmaster.com.
