March meet and greet...Potomac Blue Cats at Marshall Hall

[Salty Dog]

What!!!! no perdue peelers?

[kevinfry]

Ha Ha...I remember that day!! Kat had to tie along side because of no anchor. That was also the "hit and Run" day with the big ones grabbing bait and taking off.
I hope there will be micro perch around next weekend...it is usually the best bait this time of year because cats are feeding on spawned out perch. But for me....I never can never find 'em when I am counting on them.

BTW Guys I am planning on bringing 3 types of bait. Worms, venison trimmings and minnows if I can catch any

Wow, it looks like you have the makings of a good group going. I wish I could go but I am still fighting an illness that's keeping me away from my main activities , So take lots of pictures.

This is a good Meet and Greet for new members too. You do not have to paddle far to the fishing grounds, the launch is an easy launch, and you can learn a lot from the experience catfish Snaggedliners, whose names were already mentioned earlier in this thread. The lunch location is great too. Very casual, with good seafood for a great low price. If I can make it, I may join you for lunch to hear about your catfishing adventures first hand.

Here is a video of catfishing at Marshall Hall.

[buzz]

March meet and greet...Potomac Blue Cats at Marshall Hall

Is this area you're fishing above or below the area where those millions of gallons of coal ash pond water was dumped in recently by dominion? Forgive my ignorance of the geography down there

I'm not sure what difference it makes, but that incident was a mineral oil spill and not coal ash pond water.

The spill entered the Potomac at the waterfowl sanctuary on the upstream side of National Airport. Environmental officials spotted its sheen as far down as the Wilson bridge. Marshall Hall is 9 miles downstream from the bridge.


Sent from my PalmPilot using Tapatalk

[kevinfry]

Don't think I will be bringing my 11 ft surf rods. But I will be using my modified fish finder rigs. with 7/0 Owner Circle hooks.

Should work fine. ....I use fishfinder rugs usually

Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk

[yakscientist]

Is this area you're fishing above or below the area where those millions of gallons of coal ash pond water was dumped in recently by dominion? Forgive my ignorance of the geography down there

That area looks to be about 13 miles downstream of where the M&G is. Dominion, an appropriate name for a company that's populated with the absolute scum of the Earth.

[Salty Dog]

Don't think I will be bringing my 11 ft surf rods. But I will be using my modified fish finder rigs. with 7/0 Owner Circle hooks.

[kevinfry]

Have been reading this post since the beginning an thinking about the the 2 hour drive from HC. I cant take it anymore, Count me in even though I have never fished for catfish, I think I got this. Can use my surf fishing rigs for cats. Kevin, I am in for both barring the weather. Thanks

Surf rod would work, but I use excactly what I use for stripers, which is actually what I'd recommend...but you can ask Rockfisher for his opinion.

BTW I like eating the 18-22 size the best....but I ahve eaten all sizes. 18-22" cats are super easy to process too which is great

[Romo]

Is this area you're fishing above or below the area where those millions of gallons of coal ash pond water was dumped in recently by dominion? Forgive my ignorance of the geography down there

[kevinfry]

Got you Salty Dog!!

[Salty Dog]

Rockchaser (catfish Jim) is the authority on big cats, see pics

[Rockchaser]

A few more fat cats.

catfish 6.jpg catfish 7.jpg catfish 8.jpg catfish 9.JPG

[Rockchaser]

I use 7/0 to 10/0 circle hooks on a fish finder rig. There are two thoughts on hooking a big catfish that I have heard. Some say to keep the drag snug and let the bend in the rod set the hook right away. The other is to keep the reel in free spool/loose drag or use a live line reel and let the catfish take line for a 3 to 5 count then tighten the drag and let the fish hook itself. I use both methods depending on bottom structure. I don't like to let them run to far if they will get me snagged. I have found the colder the water the more the catfish will pick up the bait move it and then drop it. When that is happening I will move to smaller J hooks and set the hook myself.

Here are a few of the Blue catfish I have caught on the Potomac.

catfish 1.jpg catfish 2.jpg catfish 3.JPG catfish 4.jpg catfish 5.jpg

[mccray44]

Thanks, Freddie. I watched some vids. Looks easy enough!

Glad to hear I won't be the only catfish newbie!

[cryptotek]

Thanks, Freddie. I watched some vids. Looks easy enough!