Ohio River adventure this morning...

This was my first real catfishing trip on the Ohio River and what an eye opener it was. We went to Bethelem and put in at that rinky dink thing they call a ramp...my goodness, you'd think the state of Indiana could upgrade it. Anyway, we had goldfish for bait and my gameplan was to drift fish if possible.

When we arrived I realized there was probably 1000 pieces of driftwood and HUGE trees floating down the river and it surprised the heck out of me because even though we had some rain yesterday, no way in hell it could've cut loose that much debris. It was literally a debris field out there and I was cussing, then it dawned on me they could've deliberately flushed the river out for the 9A.M. Madison bridge demolition. By the time we pulled out around 1P.M., the river was fairly clean of the major debris from earlier.

The current was strong and I needed five or six ounce sinkers apparently, although the two and threes got me down on the bottom it seemed like it took forever to do so. We didn't have any bites, maybe goldfish aren't such a hot bluecat bait. I tried fishing the river channel and ledges and also fished around some barges and other industrial structure. It was a learning experience for sure and very humbling to not even get one single bite.

A nice big piece of fresh cut skipjack would have done better for you.

[QUOTE=redearhoosier;518274]This was my first real catfishing trip on the Ohio River and what an eye opener it was. We went to Bethelem and put in at that rinky dink thing they call a ramp...my goodness, you'd think the state of Indiana could upgrade it. Anyway, we had goldfish for bait and my gameplan was to drift fish if possible.

When we arrived I realized there was probably 1000 pieces of driftwood and HUGE trees floating down the river and it surprised the heck out of me because even though we had some rain yesterday, no way in hell it could've cut loose that much debris. It was literally a debris field out there and I was cussing, then it dawned on me they could've deliberately flushed the river out for the 9A.M. Madison bridge demolition. By the time we pulled out around 1P.M., the river was fairly clean of the major debris from earlier.

The current was strong and I needed five or six ounce sinkers apparently, although the two and threes got me down on the bottom it seemed like it took forever to do so. We didn't have any bites, maybe goldfish aren't such a hot bluecat bait. I tried fishing the river channel and ledges and also fished around some barges and other industrial structure. It was a learning experience for sure and very humbling to not even get one single bite.[/QUOTE]
There has been a lot of rain up stream the last couple of days. Rain 400 or 500 miles away has an effect on the river here. The Madison bridge might have also had something to do with it. I don't think the ramp at Bethelem is a state ramp. Keep trying, you will become more successful the more you go.

I hear ya man. When the current is way up, river looks like chocolate milk, and lots of debris is moving it seems like the cats honker down in a save spot and let the junk go by. Days like that, seems like the stinkier and bloodier the bait the better cause I think the cats just don't wander to far foraging, but stay under cover so they don't get a head shot from a passing garbage can or tree trunk.

And yep, when the river wants to be dead slow, it's like the switch just turns off. Other times, it goes crazy. Hang in there, you'll hit a good day here soon as the rains slow, river settles, and we get into early fall.

Keep this number on your speed dial 502-775-5056 River report that details water depth above and below McAlpine Dam and also dam release.

This site is also helpful [url]http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=mlpk2[/url]

I've canceled many a trip just because I knew the conditions would be unfavorable.

[QUOTE=redearhoosier;518274]
When we arrived I realized there was probably 1000 pieces of driftwood and HUGE trees floating down the river and it surprised the heck out of me because even though we had some rain yesterday, no way in hell it could've cut loose that much debris. It was literally a debris field out there and I was cussing, then it dawned on me they could've deliberately flushed the river out for the 9A.M. Madison bridge demolition. By the time we pulled out around 1P.M., the river was fairly clean of the major debris from earlier.
[/QUOTE]

When the river is like this, a successful trip is when you make it back with your lower unit/prop still attached! Congrats!!

When the river is rolling like that your best bet is to find a creek that you can pull into and fish the current break at the mouth for catfish. While you wait fish back in the creek for everything else....If you find an area were the clear or stained water meets the mud you can catch about anything there. Where you put in at ,if you go down a little ways on the Ind. side there is an opening that leads back to a sand operation that basicaly is a large lake off the river and out of the current....caught many fish there. If you go down a little further you have 18 mile creek and 18 mile island..both of which you can find eddy type water when the river is up.Of course if you have just a little bit of a worry about how your motor is running ..never go down stream when the river is rolling for you will be in a world of hurt. Unfortunatly the area you are fishing has been hit pretty hard by comercial fishing due to the growing number of pay lakes for those that don't no how to fish, so it comes as no surprise that you were blanked. Sad but true untill Ky. gets off it's azz and does something about it we have to live with it.Hope this helps. Chuck

riverrat,

We fished the mouth of the upper river sand pit for about twenty minutes tops because there was a small tug in and out of there and I felt like I was in his way. He never told me to move, actually waved at me but it was a little close for my taste. I was on the Cinn. side of the mouth in **** near 40ft of water anchored down. Thought I had a bite there, the pole was bent over pretty good and quickly bounced back up like he let it go. I'm using circle hooks and am very new to them, I simply know not to set the hook and to just start reeling. Went on down to the second pit but decided to turn it around as we were fixing to go home.

I've never seen a debris field like the one yesterday morning and it doesn't make any sense because it's not like it rained for three days straight. It was cleared up by 1pm though. I did hit a small branch that killed my motor, only thing that saved me was the fact I was going so slow. Had to pull the branch completely off the prop and restart motor.

I'm thinking the blue cats are in deep water right now and flatheads are where?? I would guess they're in shallow water under logs up against the banks? Boy I've got a lot of learning to do. Channel cats really don't interest me, I can catch them all day at other places.

[QUOTE=redearhoosier;518332]riverrat,

We fished the mouth of the upper river sand pit for about twenty minutes tops because there was a small tug in and out of there and I felt like I was in his way. He never told me to move, actually waved at me but it was a little close for my taste. I was on the Cinn. side of the mouth in **** near 40ft of water anchored down. Thought I had a bite there, the pole was bent over pretty good and quickly bounced back up like he let it go. I'm using circle hooks and am very new to them, I simply know not to set the hook and to just start reeling. Went on down to the second pit but decided to turn it around as we were fixing to go home.

I've never seen a debris field like the one yesterday morning and it doesn't make any sense because it's not like it rained for three days straight. It was cleared up by 1pm though. I did hit a small branch that killed my motor, only thing that saved me was the fact I was going so slow. Had to pull the branch completely off the prop and restart motor.

I'm thinking the blue cats are in deep water right now and flatheads are where?? I would guess they're in shallow water under logs up against the banks? Boy I've got a lot of learning to do. Channel cats really don't interest me, I can catch them all day at other places.[/QUOTE]

Last week I was finding both blues and flats in water 20 to 25ft. You will really increase your chances with fresh bait like mooneye,skip,and shad,goldfish can be good but with the water clarity right now you need scent.I don't use circle hooks I'm still old school and like jerkin lips.Steve Douglas uses them and has lots of videos you might check out.I use extremely big bait sometimes and just can't bring myself to use them.I'm headed out tomorrow and will let you know what I find....I know the bighead and silver are all over the place bad:( Chuck

Water on the lower is still too high for me. Monday looks to be a lot better.

I had all of my rigs hooked up with the J hooks and after watching at least 15 or more Steve Douglas videos I switched all of my rigs over to circle hooks. I can't stand the thought of me gut hooking a thirty pounder and killing it so circle hooks for me. I do LOVE to set the hook though and it takes some of the fun out of it for me too but after reading and listening to various catmen, the thought of me floating a big ole hog catfish is sickening.

:) I agree, I too have started using circle and barb less hooks. Sure, I miss a few, but if I am not keeping them, I see no need to kill them. CPR is just fine with me!

Nanna