Quote Originally Posted by btfish09 View Post
I have just recently gotten interested in big cats on the Ohio. 2 questions... The first question has to do with different baits. I have been using live and dead bluegill. Not much luck and the only luck I have is by using the smaller bluegill? Are Skipjack a neccesity or is there another option? The second question is about hook-ups. We had 7 fish take off with out baits (dead and alive) leaving the clicker screaming but when we picked up there was no fish on the line. Is a clicker just not a good idea on the river when fishing for cats? or is there something else that is not right? thanks for ANY advice and comments!
I personally use bluegill around structure for flathead. Skipjack are great but sometimes hard to come by, gizzard and threadfin shad are # 2 on the list but usually a little easier to catch. clickers are fine but just remember if using a big piece of bait let them run with it for a while before you set the hook. It sound like you guy's found a mess of gar which will do exactly what you said was happening.....Move. Where about are you guy's fishing ,deep holes or near a dam? Lots a good guy's on this site, Hope this helps. Welcome aboard. Chuck