Markland dam Cats

[Coldfront]

Here are the two biggest we've managed to boat this November. 58lb and 50lb. We have caught many in the 20-30 pound range. We have also hooked several big ones but could do nothing with them. Big Blues and Flatheads are biting cut skipjack in deep pools below the dam.

[bull_bluegill]

Yeehaw! Congrats.

[mhall]

Pretty blues for sure, good job.

[DJD]

What kind of tackle do you use for fish that big? How long did it take to get these in? Nice Fish!

[MsgMills]

What do you do with fish that big....Do people eat something that big?

[Coldfront]

What do you do with fish that big....Do people eat something that big?

We put them back in after we weight them and get proof we caught them. I do not eat catfish out of the river but i have seen people take really big blues out of there to eat. they say they are great eating but i will take their word for it. I do eat striper out of the river and they are good.

[Coldfront]

What kind of tackle do you use for fish that big? How long did it take to get these in? Nice Fish!

I use abu garcia 6500 reels and 20lb stren. ( i have never had any luck using other brand name line). 20lb handles the fish even against the flow of current. However, there were a few fish we hooked that convinced me i need to switch this spring to 30lb line. the really big ones took us between 10-15 minutes to land. the key to getting these fish is placing the bait (cut shad or skipjack) a foot or two off of the bottom. depending on the current flow speed, i use anywhere from a 3 to 6 once slip sinker with a 3 to 4 foot leader.

[DJD]

I use abu garcia 6500 reels and 20lb stren. ( i have never had any luck using other brand name line). 20lb handles the fish even against the flow of current. However, there were a few fish we hooked that convinced me i need to switch this spring to 30lb line. the really big ones took us between 10-15 minutes to land. the key to getting these fish is placing the bait (cut shad or skipjack) a foot or two off of the bottom. depending on the current flow speed, i use anywhere from a 3 to 6 once slip sinker with a 3 to 4 foot leader.

How long are the rods? Are they graphite or fiberglass?

[Coldfront]

On all my catfish rigs i have 7' heavy rods. have you ever seen those white combos at Wal-Mart for 19.99 . They usually come in spinning reel combos and the push button combo. i buy the push button combos and give the reels away to kids or something and put my 6000's or 6500's on them. These rods are very tough and i have never had one break. For 20 bucks you can't beat them. I have used the combos just the way i bought them line and all and caught catfish in the 20 pound range with no problem. But i wouldn't use that for the really big ones because the drag just can't handle it.