A fishing report from way out of region

[SgtCrabby]

@Dog asked me to do this, so here goes.  It's not a regular trip report, so I put it here instead of the trip report section;  the administrator or moderators can move it as they see fit.

Weather was clear, light northerly breeze, temperature was from low 50s to high 60's for the day.
A friend of mine and I decided to spend a day on the water to see if we could coax an early crappie to bite.   We met up at the boat launch at midmorning per Dave's request so it had a chance to warm up some.  I was shedding layers while prepping RnR for launch.   Dave backs me down the ramp (he can back a boat trailer through a needles eye) once he found the reverse on Thor. And off we go at 'no wake' speed away from the launch, turn right and tie up at the first submerged tree.  Sitting in 27 fow.  After sitting there for a half hour, I do a bait check to see if my minnow is still active-yep.  I start to lower jig and minnow back down when I get a hit at 6 feet down.  A nice little fight later we net in an appaloosa catfish.  It was 17.5 inches long and purty. Into the livewells he goes.  Down here, fried catfish is considered good eats.


We worked several of Dave's favorite crappie trees, but the water is still to cool for them to be schooled up.  Then we head up the lake to another area of his, in sight of his house.  Before he gets a minnow in the water, my light action rod with 6 lb test line is bent over and drag is letting out.  A great fight is on!  He asks who has who? Me or the fish.  I get it up and it is the largest drum either of us have ever seen;  measured at 26 inches and 8lbs 13 oz. I would rather eat a chub than a drum, it was a great fight and that's all it was good for. 

A little later I get another appaloosa cat, just a little smaller

[Jay Thomas]

Thanks for the fishing report and picture. I didn't know the Appaloosa catfish existed. Back in the early 50's, we had a neighbour who ate catfish (we lived in southwestern Ontario about 20 minutes south of Detroit Michigan).  After he told me that the catfish were really oily, I decided not to try one. So I stuck with walleye and perch. 

Jay

[SgtCrabby]

It's a subspecies of a flathead catfish.  Named from its spots.
It is somewhat oily.    Fried with a cornmeal breading seems to remove much of the oiliness to me.
I doubt if Dog would touch one with a 10 foot fork  😆.   

[Dog]

@SgtCrabby I'll consider you a real catfisherman when you post about noodling!
hahah... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfPxzKAvMAQ

just kiddin... thanks for sharing Teddy Brosevelt

[SgtCrabby]

I know about noodling.  I have no interest in attempting that technique.

I once did, but I do not target catfish on purpose anymore; but sometimes they take your bait.   And if nothing else better has been caught, I'll keep them for supper.
Now, if you want to try for them as a catch and release, I'll be happy to show you how to target them.

[Dog]

It's a subspecies of a flathead catfish.  Named from its spots.
It is somewhat oily.    Fried with a cornmeal breading seems to remove much of the oiliness to me.
I doubt if Dog would touch one with a 10 foot fork  😆.

20' fork