Tweet
I had originally planned to go to the South River this morning since I haven't fished it yet this year, but the only bait shop on the way that I know of wasn't open until 10am so I decided to go freshwater and try for catfish at Mattawoman. The weather was perfect, water temps 68 in early morning rising to 74 in afternoon. I paddled out from launch to about 1/4 mile past the barge, then worked my way back up to the barge, dropping my line every 20 feet or so. I caught 6 cats total, 4 blues and 2 bull heads. I kept the blues for dinner and released the bulls. I had a 7th hit my line and it was either a monster or I had a weak spot in my line that I wasn't aware of. On it's first strike my kayak tipped a little and my line snapped. 
For bait I just used frozen cooked shrimp I bought from the grocery store, and put 2 shrimp on the hook at a time (4/0 circle hook) The most productive depths was around the 8-9ft range, not the 10-13ft like I expected. The biggest was 20" and caught near the barge in 9ft of water. The way these fish were hitting was interesting...some would do the typical jab jab jab bites, others I just felt one small tap......would wait for another bite, only to realize it just inhaled the bait and was sitting with it in it's mouth not moving anywhere.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps80c87b4a.jpg
For bait I just used frozen cooked shrimp I bought from the grocery store, and put 2 shrimp on the hook at a time (4/0 circle hook) The most productive depths was around the 8-9ft range, not the 10-13ft like I expected. The biggest was 20" and caught near the barge in 9ft of water. The way these fish were hitting was interesting...some would do the typical jab jab jab bites, others I just felt one small tap......would wait for another bite, only to realize it just inhaled the bait and was sitting with it in it's mouth not moving anywhere. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ps80c87b4a.jpg
Comment