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channel cats

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 2:35 pm
by zen leecher aka Bill W
Talked to some eastern WA'ers a few minutes ago and it looks like the Snake river catfish bite is starting.

I have plans on fishing Saturday thru at least Monday this upcoming weekend. The now defunct F&H news had an article in it in 2006 about the fishing on the Snake at the mouth of the Palouse. I better practice up on my catfish skinning.

Anyone else here target them?

RE:channel cats

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 3:04 pm
by fishaholictaz
I have fished for channel cats most of my childhood it was a bi-yearly trip:cheers: We usually just used a 1 oz. sliding weight and 16 inches of 8-10 lb leader and a 1O hook. Another way that was very productive is fish guts:-" Man I miss the 100 fish nights#-o

RE:channel cats

Posted: Wed May 27, 2009 4:04 pm
by mav186
Taz...I'm with ya, I would love to get back into this fisheries.
BW...I tried this down by Lyons Ferry about 10 years ago with no luck. Come to think of it, my girlfriend left me shortly after returning home...must have been the rotten chicken livers! Let us know how you do though. I'm SERIOUSLY considering going again...as some of my fondest memories are with the wiskers! :compress:

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:48 am
by smokum
Will be going to Lyon's Ferry in Mid-June and fishing for the big Cats for the very first time.

Looking for all the info and advice I can get to help my 12 yr old grandson outfish me!!

Might even have an open seat in the boat/motorhome. will be leaving from Maple Valley.

Will chicken livers work? How about nightcrawlers?

Does anyone know much about the walleye and smallmouth fisihng there also??


HELP ME PLEASE, this is an important trip.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:58 am
by swedefish4life1
Stink baits on the cats to 20 plus lbs!!!!!!!!!!!! water is off color , noise on the smallmouths to make some noise!!

WATER IS 140,000 CFS RUN OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-$ :-#


ZERO WALLYS

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:08 am
by mav186
smokum wrote:Will be going to Lyon's Ferry in Mid-June and fishing for the big Cats for the very first time.

Looking for all the info and advice I can get to help my 12 yr old grandson outfish me!!

Might even have an open seat in the boat/motorhome. will be leaving from Maple Valley.

Will chicken livers work? How about nightcrawlers?

Does anyone know much about the walleye and smallmouth fisihng there also??


HELP ME PLEASE, this is an important trip.
Hey Smok...I would suggest calling some local shops to get some current information. Start with these guys, then ask for any other bait/tackle shop to contact (possibly in Lewiston)

Lyons Ferry Marina
102 Lyons Ferry Rd
Starbuck, WA 99359
509-399-8020
Good Luck!

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 10:02 am
by swedefish4life1
That information I just linked you was today and a pro:-$ who works 7 days a week on this system!( Doing):bounce: :cheers:

Fish on!

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 11:26 am
by topdawg47
If fishing for Channel cats was decent on the West side of state, I would fish for Channel cats all the time!

I like to use chicken liver for catfish bait. Only knock on it is that is comes of very easy at times. There are a couple of tricks though: trebble hook or let the chicken liver sit in sun for sometime until it hardens slightly.

I'm going to have a take a trip out there with Dad and bro sometime this summer to get in some catfish. Very tasty in my opinion, every once in awhile that is.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 11:28 am
by topdawg47
If fishing for Channel cats was decent on the West side of state, I would fish for Channel cats all the time!

I like to use chicken liver for catfish bait. Only knock on it is that is comes of very easy at times. There are a couple of tricks though: trebble hook or let the chicken liver sit in sun for sometime until it hardens slightly.

I'm going to have a take a trip out there with Dad and bro sometime this summer to get in some catfish. Very tasty in my opinion, every once in awhile that is.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 1:06 pm
by smokum
OK, which noise lures for the smallies? I've been told there are MANY ro be had in the Snake system and I'd really like to get Alex (g-son) into some.

We'll use the stink baits on the cats at night.

Already in contact with the marina folks and they assured me that there are some locals there who will share info, so Here goes!!

Keep the replies coming------ NEVER too much info, ya know?

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 1:33 pm
by catfishcharlie
i'm heading out on a week long fishing trip, hopefully going to try to get to the palouse, that and afew other spots, will post how i do when i get back next week

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:45 pm
by mav186
smokum wrote:OK, which noise lures for the smallies? I've been told there are MANY ro be had in the Snake system and I'd really like to get Alex (g-son) into some.

We'll use the stink baits on the cats at night.

Already in contact with the marina folks and they assured me that there are some locals there who will share info, so Here goes!!

Keep the replies coming------ NEVER too much info, ya know?
Glad to hook ya up...that's awesome Smok! I always prefer to talk to them personally...then when you show up you can introduce yourself and spend a little money in their shop for the support and tips (networking)...it's a win-win for both! Best of luck and look forward to reports from you and CF Charlie!
Mav

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:49 pm
by BentRod
For the smallies on the Snake, try some 3-4" chartruse or white curly tail grubs on 1/4 to 3/8 oz jig heads. Usually good for that area all spring and summer long. I also recommend beetle spins using black with chartruse or blue with white fork tails Good luck.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 2:56 pm
by zen leecher aka Bill W
smokum wrote:Will be going to Lyon's Ferry in Mid-June and fishing for the big Cats for the very first time.

Looking for all the info and advice I can get to help my 12 yr old grandson outfish me!!

Might even have an open seat in the boat/motorhome. will be leaving from Maple Valley.

Will chicken livers work? How about nightcrawlers?

Does anyone know much about the walleye and smallmouth fisihng there also??


HELP ME PLEASE, this is an important trip.


The Palouse doesn't have much water running and the Lyons Ferry people said the Snake's level was ok there.

I plan on using chicken livers, nightcrawlers, shrimp and hot dog chunks. A guy who used to fish it pretty regular said he liked shrimp chunks best of all.

I'm camping at the Lyon's Ferry KOA this weekend.

I figure I'll hold bottom with 1/2 to 1 ounce sinkers.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 3:07 pm
by Pradeep
Zen -
Good luck dude. Can't wait to hear and see pics of your trip. Funny, I asked about channel catfish a couple weeks ago and most of the great guys giving you feedback did the same for me. Since your headed out this week, Please let us know how it goes.
I hope to get out there this year as well.

Again, Good luck!!!!
Pradeep.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 3:52 pm
by smokum
Thanks or the tip on the smallies, Bent. I have the grubs you mentioned and will be buying some Beetle Spins at Sportco before we leave on June 19.

Thinkin we oughta get hooked up, I'm not far from you. I'm in Hobart!!

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 4:30 pm
by BentRod
smokum wrote:Thanks or the tip on the smallies, Bent. I have the grubs you mentioned and will be buying some Beetle Spins at Sportco before we leave on June 19.

Thinkin we oughta get hooked up, I'm not far from you. I'm in Hobart!!
That'd be nice. I'll pm you sometime. Wife's due to to have a baby here any day now, so I might be tied up for a while, but when things cool down maybe we can hit up a local lake or something. :cheers:

RE:channel cats

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:53 pm
by f1sh1nf00l
Take some garlic oil with you for cats. One night, years ago while cat fishin, the bite was a bit slow so I was going through my box and found my little bottle of garlic oil and figured it couln't hurt to try. Instantly the cats were going crazy. So I've used it ever since and always had great results. You can put it on just about anything and they will take it. Best of luck to you, I'm jelous. I have fond memories of the Snake from my childhood.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 8:22 pm
by zen leecher aka Bill W
Bought the chicken livers, bought shrimp and bought turkey dogs. The truck leaves tomorrow morning.

RE:channel cats

Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 8:41 am
by fishaholictaz
Don't forget night crawlers#-o Use a whole crawler and a 1 O bait holder.