Scenic City Cat Report

[rsimms]

It was a great weekend in the Scenic City... well, the weather wasn't so great but the catfishing was great. I was happy to be able to revisit Chickamauga Tailwaters without flood gates open (although that didn't last either.).

Saturday it was a return visit from Dan Griffith and his two sons, Zach and Josh who came down from Nashville. We stuck several exceptional fish but between light line, fast current, big rocks and bad luck we never got any horses in the boat. The biggest landed was a measly 22 lbs. however, so they weren't complaining too much. We also boated some monster bluegill. Pics below, or check out the GRIFFITH VIDEO (http://youtu.be/dOrRAXHPNuw). Fortunately we never got rained on.

That was NOT the case Sunday with Todd Trivette and his Dad, Jerry who came from Knoxville. The day started out dry, but continually went downhill. We ran for cover due to lightning a couple of times and then finally said, "To heck with it," and just kept fishing through it. Todd counted today... we put 26 catfish in the boat. Many were between 10 and 20 pounds. Todd had ahold of another we know was bigger... sadly, how much bigger we'll never know as this REALLY WET VIDEO (http://youtu.be/4_P5xe51H8U) illustrates.

But we never got hit by lightning so that means life is good and gettin' better every day!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0YeLBRHQ3kU/UZoIf34i7kI/AAAAAAAAC7w/xQikUKgaFFs/s512/griffith1.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kBYqt_2KmyI/UZoI5iL2XBI/AAAAAAAAC8A/0cIBmDpNLFA/s640/GOPR0066.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Gl7SidV5978/UZoI6glxIHI/AAAAAAAAC8I/YrKvQiYyjLs/s640/GOPR0076.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3X_BsBwcfGg/UZoI9KidkEI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/kXGLJaJiWQA/s512/GOPR0078.JPG

[Travis C.]

Nicely done!

Those cats look like a blast to catch. Since you have caught some absolute monster cats, what is considered your light setup?

[chaseasl]

Very nice

[MNfisher]

Awesome!! Man I need me some big cats!!

[rsimms]

Nicely done!

Those cats look like a blast to catch. Since you have caught some absolute monster cats, what is considered your light setup?

I routinely use standard spinning tackle with 10 lb. test line and a short 20 lb. shock leader. And that's what most of the "lost" fish got lost on. Landing 30 - 60 lb. fish on that tackle requires some patience and skill... and it's especially tough in high flow situations. But the lighter tackle typically guarantees more bites, so I like it.

However with the extremely high flows we've be experiencing this year, I'll sometimes "size up" and use baitcasting rods with 17 lb. test.

FYI, the "broken line" in the "WET" video above came because we neglected to retie after a long, hard battle with an 18 lb. fish. When fishing light tackle, ALWAYS retie after a tough battle with a big fish. :(

[Travis C.]

I routinely use standard spinning tackle with 10 lb. test line and a short 20 lb. shock leader. And that's what most of the "lost" fish got lost on. Landing 30 - 60 lb. fish on that tackle requires some patience and skill... and it's especially tough in high flow situations. But the lighter tackle typically guarantees more bites, so I like it.

However with the extremely high flows we've be experiencing this year, I'll sometimes "size up" and use baitcasting rods with 17 lb. test.

FYI, the "broken line" in the "WET" video above came because we neglected to retie after a long, hard battle with an 18 lb. fish. When fishing light tackle, ALWAYS retie after a tough battle with a big fish. :(

Thanks for the info.

I have never really targeted/caught cats much and thought I may try some this year for something new but didn't want to overhaul all my spare rods/reels. Looks like what I have will do just fine.