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

[Salty Dog]

From my experience with circle hooks surf fishing, the fish sets the hook. All you have to do is land the fish.

[cryptotek]

So... with circle hooks do you keep the drag fairly tight and let the fish use the resistance to set the hook? First time targeting cats. Need to watch some youtube!

[Salty Dog]

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

[sega]

Oh yea that was in June or July I believe. That was a little down river from Fletchers. I love that area.


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[kevinfry]

^^^^ this. If you haven't gone for blue cats don't underestimate these beasts. I'd go with a FF rig or a 3 way breakaway rig if the bottom is snag city. I use heavy braid, and 6/0-8/0 wide gap circle hooks and still have great success hooking even the small ones. This footage isn't the best, but it's all I had after a day of messing around on the Potomac. Using big chunks of cut bait

The way you're dressin that one...it must have been june? Was that in DC?

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[kevinfry]

Two more here in for fishing and lunch. I like this cat fishing stuff, I can sleep in a little.

Got ya Donv+1

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[sega]

Just remember that Blue catfish grow to enormous size- the Maryland state record came from this area and for that reason- I fish with heavier tackle and a single hook fish finder rig- it would be a shame for you to hook a monster fish on small hook double bottom rig that has little chance of landing the fish...and blue cats are pretty tasty on the table, too- I don't eat big ones, but anything under 30 inches comes home for filets...

^^^^ this. If you haven't gone for blue cats don't underestimate these beasts. I'd go with a FF rig or a 3 way breakaway rig if the bottom is snag city. I use heavy braid, and 6/0-8/0 wide gap circle hooks and still have great success hooking even the small ones. This footage isn't the best, but it's all I had after a day of messing around on the Potomac. Using big chunks of cut bait

[DonV]

Two more here in for fishing and lunch. I like this cat fishing stuff, I can sleep in a little.

[yakscientist]

I assume it's OK if people opt to fish from shore as well? I was hoping to maybe bring a friend or 2 from work down, not sure if they have kayaks though. If not, they can just fish from shore, which I might do if I get it's kind of choppy and I don't feel safe on the kayak without a wetsuit/drysuit.

[kevinfry]

We fish in 10-20 ft so if upu

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[cryptotek]

Also, how deep is the water? Just asking for anchoring purposes. Thanks!

[kevinfry]

Kevin, count me in for fishing. Thanks!

-Steve M.

Will do!

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[cryptotek]

Kevin, count me in for fishing. Thanks!

-Steve M.

[kevinfry]

I plan to attend I am off and the boss lady approved too lol .. its a 4 hours trip so is there camping near this boat ramp ??? If we stay out all day I may decide to sleep a bit before heading home, either way count me in. what do you expect the water temp to be like I was out on water today in my yak, started at 38, ended at 42 when I left.. and I was in my waders.. should this be alright. If I need to im willing to buy a cheap PVC rainsuit to stay a lil more dry ive done it before and theyre windproof so they keep ya bit warm too..

I don't know about camping near there, but most of the guys I know that fish card there in winter aren't early risers. The tides seem to be more important to them than early light. Summer It is different, but winter guys launch between 8-10. It is a 24 he ramp so I don't know why you could not nap either before or after in the parking lot.

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[ronaultmtd]

Just remember that Blue catfish grow to enormous size- the Maryland state record came from this area and for that reason- I fish with heavier tackle and a single hook fish finder rig- it would be a shame for you to hook a monster fish on small hook double bottom rig that has little chance of landing the fish...and blue cats are pretty tasty on the table, too- I don't eat big ones, but anything under 30 inches comes home for filets...