Ohio river cats

[BUCKBASSKING]

I am very interested in going to the river and going after some big cats. I have no idea where, when, or what to fish with. i have a boat that I plan on putting in at the salt river right at dixie hwy, are there any suggestions on what to fish with, what depth, cover, any specific areas? Just want to go out and have some fun, and catch some fish. thanks in advance.

[big_cat]

You picked a pretty good place to go. Alot of big cats come from right out of the mouth of salt river. You will need to learn how to throw a cast net. All you need for bait is shad, maybe a few bluegill alive for flatheads. There was a few schools of shad running in the salt river last week have not been there this week. I will be going to Cannelton **** tonight. You can catch your bait on a litlle crappie pole there, just take some 1/64 or 1/32 jigs tie about four on your line and on will have some skip jacks. Then just use some 3/0 sinkers and I like 8/0 circle hooks light wire hooks. I like the light wire hooks myself. Last year I caught an 88 pound blue and a lot of 40-70 pounders there at the ****. If you do go to salt river there is alot of bait up by LG&E run off. There is also good fishing right there. Look for some drop offs. I would try to find atleast 25-40 ft of water to fish. Look for a place with around 7-15 ft drop. That seems to be anough drop to brake some of the current. Flatheads like to hang around trees too. Good luck and leave some bait for me Ill be there thursday night.

[BUCKBASSKING]

Man thanks for the info, that is exactly what I needed. Would you recommend going at night? I havent ever been on the ohio with my boat, it is about a 17' little bass boat with an 80 horse, nothing big, but it isnt tiny, do you think this could handle the river? I know these my sound like stupid questions but I have never river fished. Would you hook the shad like a carolina rig with the swivel? Would it matter how far off the bank I fish as long as I am at the depths and drop offs that you stated? I really appreciate your help.

[big_cat]

I have two boats and one of them is a 16ft bass tracker type boat and it only has a 40hp on it and I fish the river all the time in it. When you anchor your boat just keep the bow pointed up river or out facing the main channel and you will be alright. I like to keep a knife handy just incase you need to cut the anchor line. As far as night I have caught both blues and flatheads at night and daytime. I like to fish at night durning the summer just because of the heat. It gets hot sitting out there in the sun. It should not matter how far off the bank you fish as long as there is good water. Just remember that the barges run the main channel and they have the right away. and can not stop on a dime. I use a slip sinker, swivel then about a 12-18in leader. Dont make your leader too long, your bait will have too much room to move and you will find every hangup out there 12in works well. I use very big baitcasters on a one peice eglass rod med to hevy action. 50 pound andies fishing line. If you want big cats use big bait. I will use 10 in gizzard shad whole or just cut off the tail. No chicken livers or night crawlers or small bait unless you want little channel cats. Big bluegills work too, or if you can get some creek chubs and keep them alive, they are great bait also. Where do you live? I would be happy to take you out and show you the ropes. There is also River Rat, on this form very good guy and knows the river up there very well, and is super nice. Let me know if you have anyu other ?
Chris

[Boat Bums]

Hey folks, I reading Your post was wondering if I could get some points on these river cats. would be willing to help pay for gas. Could be ready today or night mostly tues, wed, thur,

Mike

[PRO V LE]

Here is a site that has info. and links.
www.tanglingwithcatfish.com

[Lakelover]

I was below McAlpine a couple of years ago and watched a guy catch big flatheads one after the other on good sized bluegill for bait. He was wading when the water was low. He was catching them out of pools below heavy rapids. I would estimate that they were from 8 to 15 lbs. He was having a ball. He was using heavy equipment. They were really wearing him out.

[big_cat]

Hey Mike, (Boat Bum)
Give me a PM I will give you my number would be glad to take you out and let you hook up on one of them big old cats. I dont know when I have been out four night this week so far, think I might spend some time with the wife before I come home one morning and her bags are packed up LOL. I live off US 60, where are you at?


Chris

[Boat Bums]

Hey Chris,

You say you prefer eglass rods what length? and when it come to reel and line i'm thinking abu 7000 and some brad in the 40-50 lbs class? how does that sound for gear?

Mike

[big_cat]

Hey Mike,

I think the best rod for big catsfish is the Quantum Big Cat rod (BCC76MH Med.Hvy 7'6" 2) it is under 50 bucks at most places. I have 6 of them and 2 7'6"heavy actions but the heavy is little to heavy for circle hooks, is you stanard hooks then they are fine. For reels I use the Shimano Tekota 700 or 800 it is not cheap. Im not a fan of the 6000 or 7000. Abu Garcia did make a good reel back in the day but the new ones I do not like. The Penn 320 Gt is a very good reel for the price. Line if you have never tried Andies pink line try it I buy it by the 3 pond spools, of 50lb. Braid is good but fishing on the bottom for vats you get hung up alot and you can not brake that stuff so you end up cutting your line a couple of times a trip, before you know it you have to respool. With Andies 50lb I have landed to 80 plus pound blues, it throws good for bigger line and with a pair of gloves you can brake it off, some times LOL. I hope this helps you and this is my opinon not saying it is the best but just what I use. Im good at catching those big old cats but I dont clame to know it all or to be the best out there.

Chris

[HURRICANEBOB]

re: If you do go to salt river there is alot of bait up by LG&E run off. There is also good fishing right there.


Yo Big Cat.
Can you tell me where you mean LGE Run-off is? I've been to lower LGE from Salt River. I know where the water comes up behind the barges. Do you mean further up the river on the same side, can ya describe the area a little better so a smuck like me can find it.

SEcond one, is there anywhere in Salt that you throw cast net for gizzard shad? I just can't sem to find them.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate it.

[big_cat]

hey Hurricanbob, I think we are talking about the same spot at LG&E it is the run off for their cooling system. There is almost always bait there. For salt river if you put in right there in west point, go to the right a lilltle ways up not even a mile on the north side (left) bank there is a small creek . If there is water running out of it there should be gizzards there. Last week they were every where, big schools right before dark. With it getting hotter they might be running deeper. Try adding alittle weight to your throw net. I throw a 12ft net a it sinks very fast. I can get shad at 15-20 feet. I just troll around loooking for big schools on the fish finder and strat throwing once I find them. Also look for Blue Herrions feeding sometimes you can find xhad that way too. There is also a place alittle down river on the In side not for sure what the creek is called but it is close to a day marker about 2 or 3 miles from salt river.