november 2016 - issue #02 - · pdf filefront cover: kevin davis holds a big ... you, as...

1 Catfish NOW November 2016

November 2016 - Issue #02

Catfish Cookin’....34

November 2016

First Fish....12

by John N. FelsherChannel catfish, one of the more abundant gamefish in North America, provide incredible action for beginners as well as experienced anglers, all year long.

Departments

Features

Below The Surface:Bass Tactics Work for Catfish.....4

by Terry MadewellCatfish react to changes in the environment just as gamefish do. Anglers that recognize that behavior will be more successful.

Catfish Profiles in Passion – Paul Strouth.....18by Ron PresleyPaul Strouth was an awesome husband and father. He was a great tournament director, conservationist, badass catfish angler and a true friend to many.

Catfish How To....10 & 17

Catfish Speak....37

Catfish Basics #004....17

Catfish Conservation....22

Flatheads for Beginners.....26by Glenn Flowers Understanding catfish behavior in the daytime and at night can increase your fishing success.

Tournament Results....38

Catfish Calendar....41

Catfish Basics #003....11

River Rumors....36

Catfish Kids: Fishing’s Future . . . More than a Sport.....30 By Ron Presley

Catfish Clubs....42


Front Cover:Kevin Davis holds a big Santee Cooper blue just

before release. Photo Terry Madewell

Keith “Catfish” SuttonBrad DurickJohn N. Felsher

© Copyright 2016

EDITOR/ SR. WRITERRon Presley

Catfish Connections Welcome everyone to the second edition of CatfishNow (CFN) digital magazine and social media platform. We are extremely pleased to bring you our monthly collection of catfish related content and we hope you will share it with your friends, relatives and other catfish enthusiasts. I want to thank our small, but mighty staff, for the time and energy they put into the first issue. Your feedback on issue number one was overwhelming and the gratitude expressed for our efforts on behalf of the catfish community was much appreciated. Comments like, “good read,” “awesome job” and “the right steps at the right time” are encouraging feedback that tell us we are delivering what you want in the magazine. As you delve into this second edition I want to encourage you, as readers and as advertisers, to continue the feedback and tell us what you think of this and future issues. We want our content to be aimed at growing the sport of catfishing to the benefit of all. We look forward to your comments and will seriously consider them as input for future editions. I also want to thank our great sponsors that stood behind us in launching the first issue of CatfishNOW. It is because of them and future sponsors that we are able to offer the magazine to you for free. I certainly hope you will reciprocate by supporting them when you can. We end each issue of CFN with tournament results, club lists and tournament schedules. If you are a contact person for a club or tournament be sure to check the last issue and make sure you are represented in the appropriate place. If you are not listed, or information is missing, please contact Angela Pearsall at [email protected] and let her know that you want to be included. The cover photo for this issue was provided by Terry Madewell. The 76-pound cat was caught by Brian Cope (Managing Editor of CarolinaSportsman.com) while fishing with Capt. Gene Crawford. Madewell photographed the big Santee Cooper blue cat just before Kevin Davis (Blacks Camp, SC) released the fish back into Lake Moultrie. Read the details in this month’s River Rumors column. Fish with passion, Ron Presley, Editor

WRITERS

[email protected]

Catfish NOW is a

PUBLISHERDan Dannenmueller

CONTRIBUTORT.J. Stallings

Glenn FlowersTerry Madewell

GUEST WRITERS

Catfish Clubs....42


Y ears ago I got the best catfishing advice in the shortest t ime I ever heard by a grizzled catfisherman at an otherwise empty boat landing. It changed my entire perspective on catfishing. This f isherman had a cooler full of hefty catfish when everyone else said the catfishing was kaput. His reason was simple and succinct. “Catfish don’t get the respect they deserve,” he said. “Catfish change locations with weather and water changes as any fish do. They go to specif ic underwater targets, just l ike largemouth bass for example. Most catfishermen don’t think l ike that. But they should.” He said anglers f ishing for gamefish species target unique underwater targets. These places have higher potential to congregate black bass, striped bass and crappie. “Bass fishermen spend hours checking specif ic targets, or underwater structures, knowing they may find a wad of f ish when they form a pattern,” he said. “But catfishermen expect the catfish to come to them, regardless of where they decide to f ish. Catfishing is more than casting out some smelly meat and waiting for a bite. You’ve got to treat catfish with the same respect as gamefish.” The savvy old angler hit i t on the nose. Catfish typically aren’t classif ied as game fish, but they have specif ic

tendencies as do any gamefish species.Catfish and striper guide Justin Whiteside from Rock Hil l , South Carolina takes the art of catfishing to the gamefish level. He believes unusual topographic changes are crucial to catching catfish. Whiteside guides at several lakes and said every situation is different, but the catfish finding process is the same. “A distinct feature on the lake bottom is a key to most all of my catfishing setups,” Whiteside said. “The specif ic targets wil l vary from lake to lake but great examples are drops, ledges, holes, channel junctions and humps. Some of my best striper targets are also favored catfish spots. Catfish

and stripers are not always present on the same place at the same time of the year, but I f ind an amazing crossover between the species. During the fall I often catch both from the same spot at the same time, using l ive bait for stripers and cut bait for catfish. But the cats also jump on the l ive bait. It can get wild.” Whiteside said catfish react to changes in the environment just as gamefish do. “Factors impacting these changes


“You’ve got to treat catfish with the same respect as

gamefish.”

Bass Tactics Work for CatfishBy Terry Madewell

Understanding catfish behavior to improve your catch

5 Catfish NOW November 20165 Catfish NOW November 2016

can be weather such as fronts, a quick rise or fall in water level or temperature,” he said. “Also a change from clear to muddy water and forage movement wil l create changes. It ’s the same things I consider when guiding for gamefish.” “I focus on these bottom contour changes,” Whiteside said. “This is the primary home of catfish during most of the year. I slowly motor along ledges which drop into channels, around humps, off points and where feeder creeks junction the mainstream river. I am searching for something different along the bottom contour. Sometimes the biggest catches of the day wil l be from a small target.” Whiteside (803-417-0070) said the tendencies of catfish are very similar to gamefish in targeting these unique features to define a daily pattern for catfish.

“The rigs and baits are different of course, but the thought process is the key,” he said. “I f ish multiple rigs with different baits to f ind the favored bait for the day, just l ike other f ishermen wil l change lure size and colors seeking a pattern. I use a graph to target specif ic places and I work the area for catfish and eliminate water and structures. When successful I can fish similar areas and usually catfish wil l be on them. The process of f inding catfish is the same as other species. The differences are rigs and baits.” Whiteside said the use of a good graph is just as important to successful catfishing as it is to any gamefish

Try gamefish tactics on catfish and watch your catch rate soar.

BELOW THE SURFACE


species. “When I set up on a target I use my graph to see bottom contour changes that wil l attract and hold catfish,” he said. “I also want to see forage and fish I believe to be catfish marked on the graph. I am fishing a target, not an area. The difference between catching lots of f ish and big cats, or the occasional f ish, is really that distinct.” Whiteside said that f inding good bottom structure is only the first part of the overall plan. Typically a number of places have different bottom features from the surrounding areas that appear impressive on a graph. But just l ike bass or striper f ishing, not all these areas wil l produce fish all of the time. Once he’s located the place, he seeks additional factors important to

catfishing success. One of the major keys for a good catfish connection is “chow.” “It ’s important to place appropriate emphasis on the presence of ample forage in the area,” he said. “In most of the lakes I f ish, that’s threadfin shad and herring. However, just l ike deep water is relative to the specif ic lake, so is forage. Whatever is unique to the particular lake or river situation, that’s what a f isherman needs to f ind.” Whiteside said he often prefers to anchor and cast his baits to very specif ic targets on the feature he’s f ishing. If f ish are marked at the base of a drop, he’l l cast to that specif ic spot. In low l ight condition and on cloudy days, he often finds them on top of a shallow hump near deep water, so he’l l target

BELOW THE SURFACE


that. “Even when I’ve selected a specif ic target to f ish, I refine it further by casting my bait to the specif ic places my graph depicts f ish are located. It makes a huge difference in the catch by the end of the day.” Based on the situation, Whiteside said he sometimes prefers to drift f ish, enabling him to effectively cover a much larger area. “Some of the open water structures I f ish are large and I can’t effectively f ish it from an anchored posit ion, so I’ l l make a couple of controlled drift passes

over the area to check them out,” he said. “Sometimes the catfish are scattered on these structures, so this can be a very effective method to catch them. But attention to detail in terms of the targets I f ish is just as important. I control the drift to hit precise targets.” To summarize Whiteside, the key to consistently successful catfishing is to f irst think of unique bottom

Justin Whiteside says catfish don’t get the respect they deserve.

BELOW THE SURFACE


BELOW THE SURFACE

Boat Control for Catfishing Success Finding the right place is essential in terms of good bottom cover and forage. But to fully utilize the f ish-catching opportunity boat control is crucial. “Whether drif ting or anchoring, boat control is paramount to success,” Whiteside said. “If the boat is improperly positioned I’ve found I won’t catch as many f ish, par ticularly big f ish. To properly position the boat, consider wind, current, the type of structure being f ished and the manner in which you intend to present the bait.”

“If I ’m going to set up in an anchored position and cast bait to the f ish location I anchor upwind or upstream of the target,” Whiteside said. “If I ’m going to f ish directly under the boat, then I position the anchors solidly to hold the boat directly over the f ish. When drif ting I’ll ensure the boat is aligned just right to cover the bottom feature I’m f ishing. I use my motor to make minor drif t adjustments as I scan the graph. I never randomly f ish for catf ish. I have a target and I f ish that target.”


features in relation to depth changes. Focus fishing effort on areas that have forage already in place. Follow these guidelines and your catfishing success wil l soar. Catfishing can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. If you’re wil l ing to put out the effort to f ind them in their favorite haunts you may be rewarded with catfishing action you only dreamed possible. And you

can do it r ight now and throughout the entire year if you keep pace with catfish movements.


Fishing small targets in open water is a key to consistent catfish action.

- Terry Madewell

BELOW THE SURFACE


Catfish NOW How To November BnM Poles.

HOW TO?


It is no secret that most humans have a variable appetite when it comes to what they like to eat. Hamburgers look good one day, but maybe a steak looks better the next. It’s not that far a stretch to imagine that catfish have variable tastes in food too. Teresa Owensby attacks the fickle food problem by offering up something different from time to time. “Something we do is fish with different cuts of bait,” instructed Teresa. “Sometimes we feed them the heads. Sometimes we feed them chunks. Even fillets are served up on occasion. Other times it may be a whole fish, slit to release the blood and smell.” If you have several different cuts out at any given time it becomes an experiment to see what they take off of the buffet. “The one that gets the most hits is what you should use that day,” advises Teresa.

Catfish Basics #003

CATFISH BASICS

The Case of the Fickle Forager


Many people probably start fishing by catching channel catfish, often in a private pond or public lake. Many states and cities stock channel cats into park lakes to provide angling opportunities for urban sportsmen. One of the most numerous fish in North America, channel catfish range from southern Canada to northern Mexico and across most of the continent between the Atlantic Coast and the Rocky Mountains. Channel catfish look very similar to blue cats, but don’t reach such gigantic sizes. However, channels can exceed 50 pounds, although most run in the 1-

to 5-pound range. “Channel cats can be found almost everywhere and are not shy about biting,” advised Brian Barton, a catfish guide (www.brianbartonoutdoors.com) from Muscle Shoals, Ala. “If they’re in an area, they are going to bite.” “Channel cats tend to like shallower water than blue cats,” continued Barton. “They usually seek

out shoreline structure, like logs, stumps, weeds and shallow water rock piles. Channel catfish usually school in small numbers, so if you catch a fish off a piece of structure, continue to fish the area.” With about 10,000 taste buds per square inch in its skin, a catfish swims through the water like a giant tongue, tasting everything. It can detect minute food particles or scents over long distances. Sensors can perceive odors down to one part in 10 billion parts of water. Catfish can even locate food with tiny natural “scanners” in their heads. Every living cell emits a tiny electrical field.

Catfish use their electro-sensors to find prey at night or in muddy water. Almost like using sonar, they can also acutely detect sound waves far better than most fish.

Smell It. Find It. Eat It. With excellent sensory systems, catfish miss few opportunities to grab a tempting morsel. Channel catfish eat almost anything. Some

“Channel cats can be found almost everywhere and are not shy about biting.”

Story and Photos By John N. Felsher

Small channel catfish can still offer big sport


FIRST FISH

Billy Blakley, a guide for Blue Bank Resort, admires a catfish he caught while fishing around cypress trees at Reelfoot Lake,

Tennessee.


excellent bait choices include crickets, shrimp, nightcrawlers, minnows, fish pieces, catalpa worms, clams, dough balls, crawfish, cheese, livers, gizzards, commercial stink or blood baits and even such odd baits as soap, among other things. “In general, the more it smells, the better channel cats bite it,” Barton explained. “This is why blood- and cheese-based prepared baits are so effective. A glob of shad guts is my favorite bait. I also use chicken livers, slightly spoiled shrimp, cut bait and nightcrawlers. I also use Secret 7 or Sudden Impact, a fiber bait fished on a Furry Thang bait holder over a

2/0 or 3/0 hook.” While many people count channel catfish among the first fish they ever caught, unfortunately, many anglers grow out of chasing channels as they turn to other species. Some return to catfish, frequently trying to entice that giant blue or flathead. However, the smaller whiskered scrappers can still deliver excellent opportunities for sporty action – and provide the main ingredients for a tasty meal.

Old and New Countless people catch channel cats with one of the simplest forms of fishing. They dangle nightcrawlers or other baits from a bobber, toss it next to a stump, fallen log, grassy patch or drop-off and wait for the float to disappear. Others remove the bobber and add a sinker. Toss the bait to a likely spot and wait for something to tug on the line. People vertically jig baits next to

14 Catfish NOW October 2016

FIRST FISH

Sharon Jeffreys shows off a channel catfish she caught while fishing next to the Wilson Dam on Pickwick Lake near Muscle Shoals,

Ala.


bridge pilings, standing timber, sheer walls or next to dams. Of course, those old methods still work, but anglers can catch cats many different ways. For fishing sloping shorelines or other deep structure not directly under the boat, try a slip-float rig. With a slip-float rig, a small weight pulls the line through an eye on the float. A stopper keeps the line from slipping too far, allowing the bait to suspend at the desired depth. With a slip-float rig, an angler can make a natural vertical presentation without sitting on top of the structure or fish, thus keeping the bait in the strike zone longer. Experiment with different depths. “With a slip-float rig, I primarily fish deeper ledges, humps or rock piles where I want to suspend my baits just off the bottom,” Barton explained. “I typically try to position my bait about one to three feet off the bottom. In river environments, look for channels in eddy pools and slack current areas just outside the main flow.” At Reelfoot Lake, TN, anglers flip for catfish. Much of Reelfoot looks more like a swamp with live cypress trees growing in the shallow water than a lake. Trees standing in the water create excellent roosts for cormorants and other fish-eating birds. After eating their fill of shad or other fish, the birds rest in the trees and relieve themselves of smelly waste. The fishy smell attracts catfish. What works at Reelfoot Lake could work on any water body where trees dot the surface and fish-eating birds gather. To flip for cats, simply attach a fresh threadfin shad to a 4/0 hook or similar jighead and pitch it under a tree frequented by birds. Put the bait as close to the wood as possible

and just let it sink naturally. “When it’s a calm day, I don’t use any weight at all,” instructed Billy Blakley, a guide for Blue Bank Resort (www.bluebankresort.com) in Hornbeak, TN. “I just flip the shad against the tree trunks. The shad drifts to the bottom naturally. On windy days, I use a leadhead jig or a slip

15 Catfish NOW October 2016

Amy Gable admires a channel catfish she caught while fishing in a backwater off Dead Lake near Bunnell, Fla.

FIRST FISH


sinker. It’s almost like combining the fun of bass fishing with the size and abundance of catfish.”

Going Artificial Channel catfish typically prefer natural baits, but anglers occasionally catch them on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms or jigs. Barton tips weedless spoons with succulent bait and throws them into places where more conventional catfish rigs would likely snag. A strip of skipjack, shad or other baitfish undulates through the water, giving the impression of a live fish swimming. The natural scent and oils coming off the bait add to the enticement. Throw this combo rig into likely structure, such as weed beds, fallen trees or rocks and retrieve it slowly. Pause occasionally, but briefly. “With the combination of the spoon and the natural bait, it’s a one-two punch,” Barton explained. “With the spoon, I can cover a lot more water than with just bait. The fish sees the flash of the spoon and feels the vibration of the lure. It also smells the meat. I’ve fished with just spoons and have caught catfish, but I catch more with a bait trailer. A hook and bait rig is not as effective when moving fast as when sitting still and hangs up more than a spoon and bait. It’s kind of like fishing a crankbait for bass. I’ve caught as many as eight to 10 channel cats from under one tree.” Abundant and widespread, often with very liberal creel limits, channel catfish can provide incredible action almost anywhere all year long. Many people consider catfish a “summer fish,” but some of the best action

occurs in the fall when whiskerfish gorge themselves on shad before winter comes. When you are hungry for some fish on the dinner table it is hard to beat fresh-caught channel cat fillets, prepared just the way you like them.

FIRST FISH

Brian Barton shows off a channel catfish he caught while fishing next to the Wilson Dam on Pickwick Lake near

Muscle Shoals, Ala.

- John N. Felsher


Are you killing your chances to catch catfish by engaging in simple behavior that can be managed? Keith “Catfish” Sutton is a catfish fanatic and CatfishNow writer. He has been helping anglers catch more and bigger catfish for years through his books and articles. “Always avoid handling or getting on your hands, sunscreen, insect repellent, gasoline or tobacco products,” advises Sutton. “Studies done by Dr. John Caprio at LSU show catfish senses, particularly the senses of taste and smell, can detect even minuscule amounts of these things, which they avoid. Even less than a drop that accidentally gets on your bait can lead to avoidance by whiskerfish, and you’ll go home without so much as a nibble.” Anglers can find more catfish tips and related information at catfishsutton.com, including his latest book, “Hardcore Catfishing: Beyond the Basics.”

Catfish Basics #004

CATFISH BASICS

Something Smells

Catfish NOW How To November - Team Catfish

HOW TO?


The catfish community is a tightly woven family of anglers with a common interest. They love catfishing and for the most part they love each other. When they lose one of their own to death the pain and grief spreads far and wide. The year 2016 brought several losses to the catfish family. One was Paul Strouth. Paul was a quiet and thoughtful man with deep ties to the catfish community. One cat man that knew him well was his long time tournament partner, Anthony Robinette. They worked together as auto mechanic’s for years and fished together as friends. “I have many, many memories of fishing with Paul over the years,” said Robinette. “We have been to many different places to fish. Sometimes we caught a lot and other times we caught nothing. We even sunk a boat once, but that didn’t stop us.” “I think Paul will be remembered as a diehard fisherman,” continued Robinette. “He always wanted to be like his grandfather when it came to fishing. He would do whatever it took to get to the water and fish.” “Paul was a great leader to me when it came to fishing,” revealed Robinette. “I learned a lot from him and looked up to him in this sport. I am sure many others did too. Paul got me into catfishing about 20 years ago and I hope to continue to do what he loved more than anything. He was very dedicated to catfishing.” “Paul should be remembered as a legend in the sport,” continued Robinette. “If you never meet him you missed out on

a great guy. If he taught you something about catfishing, then you could bank on it. He had a big heart and would always help others by showing them the right rig, the right setup, or the right bait. I have

been fishing a couple times in the last couple weeks and I find myself asking ‘what would Paul do?’ That is how much I trusted him and believed in what he would say or do.”He was like my brother that I never had,” concluded Robinette. “Fishing just won’t be the same for me.” Paul Strouth proudly wore his Bottom Dwellers jersey at tournaments. “He was one of the first, if not the first, Bottom Dweller prostaffer,” offered David Ashby. “Paul was a guy that wanted everyone to be happy and get along with each other. He loved fishing just about more than anything. He simply lived to fish.” Bottom Dwellers Tackle once held an online contest and the winner received an all-expenses paid trip with Ashby. Robinette won the contest and brought Paul along as his guest. “Once we all managed to get our schedules worked out we set out to fish the James River,” said Ashby. “We were fortunate to boat a lot of really quality fish that weekend,” recalled Ashby. “We managed to set multiple

By Ron Presley

“He loved fishing just about more than anything.”

In Memoriam: Paul Strouth


personal bests for Anthony and Paul. Paul’s PB held up until Winter Blues on Wheeler, 2016. Beating his PB couldn’t have come at a better time. His new PB helped push his team into the top spot for the tournament. I was very proud and happy for him and glad I was there when he did it. Paul was very proud, but as always, humble.” “There is no doubt that Paul left an impact on the sport of catfishing,” continued Ashby. “On a personal level Paul left a void for those of us that knew him. I hope and pray that void, now felt by myself and many others, will be replaced with cherished memories. It is a very emotional thing to deal with, knowing there will be no more fishing trips or stories to be made with Paul.” Paul teamed up with his wife Tammy and Brian Lawson to win the 2016 Winter Blues on Wheeler. “Paul is such an inspiration to me,” said Lawson. “He gave me back the passion and love to fish that I lost when my grandfather passed. I’ll forever be grateful to have been able to call Paul a friend and brother.” “I would like Paul to be remembered for his legacy,” offered Lawson. “He loved to compete, but he would give up information just to help a friend, or someone just getting into the sport. We fished several tournaments in 2014 and 2015, and planned to make the three of us a permanent team in 2016. I miss having him around to talk to and fish with. I think I have fished three times since he passed. It just doesn’t feel the same. My plans are to travel to Alabama and try for back to back wins in his name.” “He was a guy that would give you

whatever you needed,” said Lawson. “Just because Paul isn’t here physically, he’s in our hearts. Every time we blast off in a tournament or just to fish, we should remember that Paul is with us.” Chuck Davidson remembers Paul as a true friend and catfish brother. “I called him the Mad Catfish Scientist,” declared Davidson. “The ideas that he would bring to my attention and the independent studies he would do were all very interesting. He experimented a lot with all sorts of trophy catfish tactics. I never would have even tried some of the things that he was doing to consistently put exceptional fish in the boat.” “He was an Innovator,” said Davidson.

On the occasion of his death many catfish anglers adopted this photo as their Facebook

cover photo, in memory of Paul.

CATFISH PROFILES IN PASSION: PAUL STROUTH


“He was always trying to figure out where fish were under all different water and weather conditions, during every part of the year. He figured them out on Wheeler. He knew the biggins’ were feeding shallow and he was there waiting for them. That’s exactly how he won Winter Blues. I really miss being able to pick up the phone and talk everything catfishing with him.” Even those who did not know him well were quick to praise his demeanor and catfish savvy. “I met Paul a couple

years ago,” said David Shipman. “It was a very brief encounter. Then I got to talk to him a lot at Winter Blues on Wheeler in 2016. He left a great impression on me. He was a very humble man, even after winning Winter Blues. Since then we

This photo shows Paul (and his team) at the top of the leader board at the 2016 Winter

Blues on Wheeler.



talked again at a meeting about catfishing up near Nashville. Once again he struck me as a humble and knowledgeable person. I believe we would have become closer friends if his life had not been cut short.” Catfish anglers responded in many ways to Paul’s death. Larry Muse, after winning a tournament in Missouri, was moved by respect to remember his tournament competitor. “I would just like to dedicate this win to Paul,” said Muse. “Paul Strouth will be missed.” Paul’s passing had a huge portion of the catfish community in mourning. Many changed their Facebook profile photos to a shot of Paul as a way to remember him. Many of those photos are still posted in his memory. Tammy and the family have been through a lot over the past few months, but have been touched by the caring of the catfish community. “It’s very hard,” said Tammy. “I still have bad days. The catfish family came together for me and gave me support. People I knew that were very competitive and trying to beat us in tournaments were there for us when we needed them. Some of them I had known for years, but only met them during the tournaments.” She named several friends that were there from the start of her ordeal. “Steve and Lisa Douglas were really there for me,” offered Tammy. “Steve started the GoFundMe page, and it really helped out. Ray Ferguson was another one. He was always competitive and talking about beating us, but he was there when the tragedy struck. There were so many, Chris Vittetoe was another.” “People were wonderful to me,” said Tammy. “I couldn’t ask for a better family. They came together, they called, they prayed and they checked on me.” Paul had touched a lot of people with his catfishing. “I can’t thank them all,” lamented Tammy. “Larry and Joyce Muse, Ken Freeman, and Shad Daddy all checked on me and there were many

others.” It has been about four months since the accident. Tammy reports that she has gone back to work and is getting her feet on the ground again. “I think about Paul every day,” concluded Tammy. “I want to strongly express, that even though people are competitive and fishing against each other, when it comes down to tragedy you realize who your friends are. The catfishing community came together for me. I cannot thank them enough. That is what you call family.”

- Ron Presley


As part of the JKV Catfish Trail, Josh Vanover, tournament director, has named their first event in 2017 after Paul Strouth. “Paul was a good friend of mine,” said Vanover. “The January 28, 2016 JKV event on Wheeler will be in remembrance of Paul Strouth. Mr. Wheeler himself.” “We gave him that nickname at last year’s Winter Blues on Wheeler,” offered Vanover. “He spanked us all. He took home the money and only fished 200 yards from the boat ramp. We are pleased to be remembering one of our own from the catfishing community.” Tammy Strouth and Brian Lawson, Paul’s team mates at Winter Blues last year, are expected to compete in the tournament, although on separate teams. “We will be taking an offering to further support the Strouth family,” concluded Vanover. “Following weigh-in we will present Tammy with a plaque to commemorate Paul’s passing.”


Two recent examples of Catfish Conservation were reported in Indiana. One provides additional habitat in Saddle Lake that is expected to improve channel cat fishing. The other project promises to

Success of improved habitat in Indiana’s Saddle Lake wi l l be measured by checking for young channel cat f ish in the fal l of 2017.

by Ron Presley

Trophy Catfish for the Future


add additional public land, optimum wildlife habitat, and angler access for fishing and other outdoor activities. Habitat cannot be left out of any plan to improve recreational catfishing. Hal Scramm is Leader, U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Professor of Fisheries, Mississippi State University. He regularly explains the need for both nursery habitat and adult fish habitat to his classes. “Good habitat is the foundation of fish production and quality fishing,” says Schramm. “Many fisheries management agencies and angler organizations are doing a lot of good work improving and restoring habitat. Most of this works focuses on habitat for adult fish. This is understandable, because this is the life stage anglers are most familiar with. (And it is probably a little self-serving, too. The more log jams I place in the stream, the more good places I have to fish.) “But abundant adult, catchable fish requires survival and growth of young fish. Habitat improvement projects are most effective when they include habitat for young fish and for adult fish, and the habitat characteristics for these two life stages are often different.” CatfishNow applauds these recent accomplishments in Indiana and encourages other agencies and angler groups to find similar ways to improve the future of recreational catfishing.

Catfish Structure Added to Saddle Lake Channel catfish may be more likely to reproduce in a lake in Hoosier National Forest, thanks to recent work by DNR fisheries biologists. Saddle Lake, near Tell City, in the Saddle Lake Recreation Area, has been drawn down for dam repairs. DNR biologists placed 19 nesting boxes in the exposed lake bed in an effort to improve natural reproduction of the sport fish. Half of the boxes were covered with large rock. The purpose is to see if the rock will improve spawning and juvenile fish success. Biologists will use a GoPro camera

to monitor box use by channel catfish in summer 2017. In fall 2017, biologists will conduct netting to see if young channel catfish are collected.

Source: Sandy Clark-Kolaks, DNR southern fisheries research biologist, (812) 287-8300.

Healthy Rivers INitiative tops halfway mark for land protection The Healthy Rivers INitiative, the state’s largest land conservation program, has reached 35,200 acres, passing the halfway mark toward the goal of permanently protecting 70,000 acres along three Indiana waterways. HRI was started in 2010 as a partnership of state and federal resource agencies and organizations working with willing landowners to protect more than 43,000 acres along the Wabash River and Sugar Creek, and another 26,000 acres of Muscatatuck River bottomlands. To date, the Department of Natural Resources has purchased 14,353 acres to go along with 15,212 acres the agency previously owned in the project areas. Another 5,710 acres of privately owned land is now enrolled in conservation easements with the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s federal Wetland Reserve Conservation program. The protected and restored acres connect separated parcels of important habitat for fish and wildlife, including rest

HABITAT AND PUBLIC LANDS – KUDOS TO INDIANA DNR

Trophy Catfish for the Future


areas for migratory birds. They also establish nature tourism destinations, improve water quality, help protect against flooding of downstream landowners, and open additional public land for birdwatching, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and trapping. Of the 14,353 new acres purchased through HRI, the DNR has opened more than 12,200 acres to public recreation.The halfway milestone in land conservation was reached through a partnership of the Indiana DNR, The Nature Conservancy of Indiana, Natural Resource Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the participation of willing landowners in the HRI project areas.

Visit HealthyRivers.IN.gov for more information and maps to open properties. An infographic illustrating HRI’s progress can be found at www.in.gov/dnr/healthyriver/7699.htm.

Source: Ben Miller, DNR Fish & Wildlife, (317) 234-8101.

HABITAT AND PUBLIC LANDS – KUDOS TO INDIANA DNR

- Ron Presley


My fishing friend Danny Fields had a desperate mission. One time he’d had to leave the catfish biting, because he had no bait. Earlier in the day Fields had baited with live minnows. However, when he returned to the bait shop, the owner told

him he’d sold all his minnows and wouldn’t get anymore until the next day. On the way back to his fishing camp, Fields spied a possum lying dead on the side of the road. Although the possum hadn’t yet begun to swell, it had a strong smell. “I picked that possum up, put it in a plastic bag and went back to camp,” Fields reports. “I skinned the

possum out and cut-up little chunks of the possum for catfish bait. I baited the possum on my trotline and on my rod and reel and caught the most cats I’d ever caught. Now if I see a dead possum on the side of the road when I’m driving the 3 hours from my home to my cabin on the river, I’ll pick it up and use it for catfish bait. I’ve also used dead rabbits successfully.”

If you want to learn to catfish like the pros check out “Catfish like a Pro”, available in both Kindle and print formats http://amzn.to/W900eu. Click on the look inside feature to see the table of contents and 10 percent of the book free

When You Can’t Find Catfish Baitby John Phillips

Don’t be surpr ised by what might make good cat f ish bait .

Phi l l ips’ book of fers great t ips f rom some of the most-product ive and knowledgeable cat f ishermen

around.


F latheads wi l l put the most seasoned f lathead f ishermen to the test, t ime and t ime again. Make no mistake f latheads are not a f ish for the weak at heart . Each year many f lathead f ishermen give up way before they land their f i rst t rophy f ish.

People are discovering the beauty and complexity of this shrewd predator as they spread l ike wi ld f i re

Catfish know the difference between night and day. You should too.

by Glenn Flowers “Night Time is the Right Time”


across the United States. More and more anglers are seeking them out. Whether i t ’s for food, or sport , this f ish has i t al l . Many anglers prefer to f ish at night. Those nights can be long and cold at t imes with few, i f any, f ish to show for your efforts. On slow nights t ime seems to crawl as you start to doubt your new hobby and quest ion i f i t ’s even worth i t . Other nights the bi te can be fast and fur ious with double and tr iple hook ups. With f ish commonly running more than 20 pounds, the thr i l l of the hunt is quickly making catf ishing one of the most addict ing types of f ishing one can do. With their abi l i ty to l ive in a wide range of habitats and condit ions there are no l imits to where catf ish can be found. Flatheads stand out not iceably from other members of the large catf ish clan. Their unusual shape makes them easi ly ident i f ied. The f lat shovel

l ike head and large mouth makes the f lathead unmistakable. Flatheads vary from high yel low to jet black depending on water condit ions. Their abi l i ty to change colors rapidly makes them even more remarkable. These f ish can blend in with their habitat l ike no other f ish. That abi l i ty makes them the ul t imate predator. They are given many names depending on where they l ive. Yel low cat, mud cat, shovel head, shovel nose and appaloosa cat are some of the more common names. Flatheads are ranked best of the best as table fair among freshwater f ish. They rank higher than channel cats and blue cats. They also make the top of the l ist when compared to saltwater f ish l ike grouper and

Live bait is the best bet when targeting big flatheads.

Flatheads for Beginners


snapper. Given their high protein diet of l ive f ish the f lathead’s meat is a pr ize worth hunt ing and learning how to catch them is a ski l l worth pursuing.

The Right Rod and Reels Flatheads of average size can destroy cheap tackle with ease. Be prepared for some heartaches i f your tackle is not up to task. I suggest a good sol id 7-foot 6- inch rod, with a fast t ip for bait and str ike detect ion. My rod of choice is the Big Cat Fever Medium Heavy Act ion. They are very reasonably pr iced and have the sensit ive t ip needed to detect l ight bi tes that often happen with cunning f latheads. In most cases spinning gear can and wi l l work for f latheads, especial ly in lakes and reservoirs. Heavy cast ing reels may be needed when f ishing fast r ivers with lots of snags. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3-5500’s are a great reel to start out with. They are l ight weight yet st i l l have the power needed

to pul l out f latheads from heavy t imber. I f your target is larger f latheads, you may want to scale up to an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 7000 C3. Cast ing reels in general give anglers more torque for extract ing f latheads from their snaggy holes.

Rigs and Bait for Flatheads The sl ip-sinker and three-way r igs are angler favori tes for f latheads. Your lead size wi l l be determined most ly by current speed. These two r igs have been around for ages and consistent ly produce. A large l ive bait hook, such as a Kahle style, is at the top of my l ist for hooks. In my experience, circle hooks tend to miss more str ikes from f latheads. I have a higher hook-up rat io with the Kahle style, possibly due


Flatheads hide under log jams and other dead timber during the day.



to circles having smal ler gaps. There are t imes when f latheads wi l l readi ly accept cut bait , but as a general ly rule, f latheads prefer healthy, kicking, l ive f ish most of the year. Bluegi l ls and bul lheads are the two most used l ive baits for f latheads. Flatheads l i teral ly go through a transit ion from night to day. Once you understand the changeover i t wi l l s impl i fy the way you hunt for f latheads.

Day-Time During dayl ight hours, f latheads wi l l be hunkered down, general ly in deeper water. Flatheads wi l l also hide under log jams and other dead t imber during the day. The major i ty of the f ish wi l l be found in bends and holes in most r ivers. These f ish won’t move much at al l dur ing rest ing periods, so in order to tr igger a str ike you have to get the bait r ight in their faces. This may involve vert ical f ishing or actual ly ty ing direct ly to a pi le of structure. This wi l l al low you to put baits r ight on top of the f ish. I f you f ind a pi le of f ish in a rest ing area the bi te wi l l happen very quickly. As soon as your bait invades the space of a terr i tor ial f lathead he wi l l str ike i t v iolent ly. I f you don’t get a bi te in 5 to 10 minutes reposit ion your baits. I t may only take a few feet to f ind the f ish and get the bi te.

Night-Time is the Right Time Anglers say night t ime is the r ight t ime for f latheads, and I think that is correct. You can catch f latheads during the dayl ight, but i f you want a spectacular f ishing tr ip you should hunt them under the cover of darkness. The f lathead’s intel l igence is top notch and should never be underest imated. Once the sun starts to set, f latheads wi l l begin roaming in a circular motion. They move in and out of their rest ing areas looking for quick

meals. This is cal led the twi l ight bi te, the period in-between day and night. General ly, this period wi l l be when you get your f i rst few f ish. Flatheads wi l l spread out over a good distance, up to a mile from their home. They don’t normal ly return unt i l dayl ight, af ter a long night of hunt ing. Flatheads wi l l start to move up on sandbars and in feeder creeks where smal l f ish can be found rest ing. They wi l l use channels and edges to travel. Think of them as highways as the f ish move between feeding grounds. These

hungry f latheads wi l l be on heightened alert so stealth is a big factor in catching big, old, smart trophy f ish. Wood is always a top choice for f latheads. They are a structure or ientated f ish, they wi l l move from one snag to another, always keeping a low prof i le as they feed. The larger the wood pi le the better chance a big f lathead wi l l occupy that area. Set up in front of log jams, the head of deep holes and creek mouths to intercept these f ish as they move and feed. Creek mouths and rock pi les are a close second to wood when scout ing out f lathead locat ions. Flathead f ishing can get very complex very quickly. By understanding the behavior of these whiskered cr i t ters you can match your f ishing tr ip to patterns that wi l l increase your chances of success. Granted a f lathead can be caught anywhere at any given t ime, but set your trap in his path and you’re sure to get bi t in a hurry.

- Glen Flowers

“Flatheads stand out noticeably from other members of the large

catfish clan.”


By Ron Presley

S hane Wilson signs his correspondence with the phrase, “Fishing's Future. . . . . .more than a sport . ” Give that statement just a l i t t le thought and you wi l l understand the mission of th is highly successful organizat ion that is dedicated to changing l ives through f ishing. A popular statement among outdoor enthusiasts that recognizes a void in today’s society goes l ike th is, “Give them a tackle box, not an Xbox.” The statement obviously refers to our youth’s tendency towards cyberspace instead of outdoors space. This th inking is r ight down Shane Wilson’s al ley, but he takes i t fur ther, because of h is background. Wi lson is the founder of an organizat ion known as Fishing’s Future (FF).

Fishing’s Future started on South Padre Is land, TX in 2007. Wi lson was administrator of a local School Distr ict ’s Discipl ine Al ternat ive

Educat ion Program (DAEP). In that ro le, Wi lson was charged with educat ing k ids that had misbehaved

Shane Wilson is founder of Fishing’s Future.

“Fishing’s Future provides opportunities for families to reconnect to nature and learn about angling through family-

oriented fishing activities.”


Fishing’s Future . . . More than a Sport

in some manner. “These kids were good kids who made bad decis ions,” recal ls Wi lson. “When two or three of them got together, their decis ion-making abi l i t ies plummeted.” Dur ing the 12 years that Wi lson was with the DAEP he came to the conclusion that those bad decis ions came because of a lack of act ive, posi t ive, parental engagement in their l ives. His personal interests and background led him to start an angl ing educat ion program aimed at re-hooking parents to chi ldren. The basis of h is program l inks back to his own chi ldhood where f ishing was instrumental in strengthening his fami ly ’s connect ions to each other. Reconnect ing the fami ly uni t became his mission and angl ing educat ion was the vehic le he used to accompl ish that goal . In a message on their websi te FF

explains that fami l ies are important and that k ids need to play outside. I t fur ther communicates FF’s bel ief that learning about conservat ion and keeping our earth green and clean is the responsibi l i ty of everyone. The FF websi te states, “Fishing’s Future provides opportuni t ies for fami l ies to reconnect to nature and learn about angl ing through fami ly-or iented f ishing act iv i t ies designed to strengthen fami ly bonds and teach responsible, ethical , environmental ly-conscious lessons. . . ” Interest ing to Catf ishNow is the role that cat f ishing plays in the success of FF. “Catf ish are the number

Fishing’s Future conducts fishing related activities aimed a strengthening family

connections between parents and children.



one f ish caught at most Fishing's Future Family Fish Camps and other f ishing events,” said Wi lson. “They are exci t ing f ish to catch due to their t remendous f ight ing abi l i ty and size var iat ions. Kids love to catch them and scream when they do. I can think of no better f ish to igni te a l i fe long hobby.” The organizat ion accompl ishes i ts mission through chapters across the U.S. This year alone, more than 115,000 indiv iduals have received some level of f ishing knowledge from FF. Some 15,000 volunteer hours have been logged in accompl ishing this feat . Over the last several years, FF has introduced more than 600,000

indiv iduals to the joys of f ishing and that number cont inues to grow. For Wi lson, the rewards are many. “The reward comes in many forms,” states Wi lson. “But above al l , I receive the most sat isfact ion in knowing that Fishing's Future is direct ly responsible for enr iching the l ives of hundreds of thousands of indiv iduals by giv ing them the gi f t of f ishing.” Based on their outstanding performance in providing angl ing

How you can support Fishing’s Future

Fishing’s Future does not charge for their services. As a volunteer, non-profit organization, FF receives inquiries daily to form new partnerships, open new chapters and schedule more events. Those enquires place additional pressures on their budget. This is where they can use your help. The success of Fishing’s Future is completely dependent upon volunteers and donations. All over America there are families who want to fish but don’t know how and Fishing’s Future is the only organizations completely dedicated to teaching families how to fish independently. Their programs hinge on funding, volunteers and individuals who are willing to make a difference within their community by joining the Fishing’s Future family. You can be a part of the everlasting and life changing affects this program has on youth and their families by visiting their website (http://www.fishingsfuture.org) and learning about starting a new chapter, being a sponsor or making a donation to support this very worthwhile cause.

Fishing’s Future is the proud recipient of the 2016 Roland Sigurdson Outstanding Aquat ic

Educat ion Program Award.



related act iv i t ies for famil ies al l over the country, FF was recent ly presented the 2016 Roland Sigurdson Outstanding Aquat ic Educat ion Program Award. The award was presented by the Aquat ic Resources Educat ion Associat ion (AREA). The award is given for providing an outstanding aquat ic educat ion program that increases publ ic awareness of the resource and/or provides/promotes angler educat ion and f ishing opportuni t ies. Fishing’s Future Founder and President, Shane Wilson, accepted the award on behal f of the organizat ion. “This award goes out to al l volunteers and supporters who have taken part in making Fishing’s Future what i t is today,” said Wi lson. “There are hundreds of Fishing’s Future volunteers who give f reely of their t ime to share the joys and knowledge

of f ishing within their communit ies.” Fishing’s Future current ly has more than 50 chapters scattered across America and over the next 5 years they expect to more than double that number. FF hopes to have mult ip le chapters in every state and at the rate they are growing and the nat ional recogni t ion they are receiv ing, Fishing’s Future is on the way to becoming a household name. For more informat ion on Fishing’s Future, v is i t their websi te (www.f ishingsfuture.org) or fo l low them on Facebook and Twit ter. Catf ishNow commends them for their effor ts and jo ins others in congratulat ing Fishing’s Future on the prest ig ious AREA award.

- Ron Presley


By Gene Westbrook - MagnoliaCollectionRecipes.com

2 med ium-s ized ca t f i sh f i l l e ts

Sa l t

F resh ly g round b lack pepper

Ju ice o f ½ o f a f resh lemon

2 T. bu t te r

1 med ium f resh gar l i c c love ; pee led and ha lved

½ la rge red on ion , cu t i n to round s l i ces

PAN SEARED CATFISH FILLETS - ITALIAN STYLE


CATFISH COOKIN’

½ smal l g reen be l l pepper ; cu t i n to s t r ips , then cu t in ha l f aga in

½ med ium red be l l pepper ; cu t i n to s t r ips , then cu t in ha l f aga in

2 oz . s l i ced sa lami ; cu t i n to ha l f s l i ces

Lemon wedges

Wash the f i sh f i l l e ts ; then d ra in and pa t d ry w i th paper towe ls . When d ry, sp r ink le bo th s ides o f the f i sh w i th sa l t and pepper.

S low ly beg in hea t ing the bu t te r in an i ron o r o ther heavy sk i l l e t , then add the gar l i c ha lves and smash them. When the bu t te r i s me l ted ra ise the cook ing tempera tu re to med ium h igh . Jus t as the bu t te r beg ins to b rown, qu ick ly add the ca t f i sh f i l l e ts and squeeze ½ o f the lemon ha l f over bo th f i l l e ts . Lower the tempera tu re to med ium and cook , uncovered , fo r 5 m inu tes . Use a la rge spa tu la to tu rn the ca t f i sh f i l l e ts to the o ther s ide and squeeze the rema in ing lemon ju i ce even ly over the f i l l e ts . Cook

ano ther 5 m inu tes ; then s l ide the par t ia l l y cooked f i sh on to a la rge p la t te r and se t as ide .

Keep the sk i l l e t cook ing and remove and d iscard the 2 cooked gar l i c pods . Add the on ion s l i ces , bo th g reen and red pepper s l i ces , and the sa lami ha l f - s l i ces to the s t i l l cook ing sk i l l e t . S t i r and cook the m ix tu re un t i l s l i gh t l y w i l ted , then sa l t to tas te .

Sl ide the par t ia l l y cooked f i sh f i l l e ts back in to the sk i l l e t w i th the on ion , pepper, and sa lami m ix tu re and con t inue to gen t l y cook (do no t b reak-up the ca t f i sh f i l l e ts ) fo r abou t 10 minu tes longer. Turn the f i sh f i l l e ts w i th a spa tu la once dur ing th i s f i na l cook ing t ime.

To serve , p lace the cooked ca t f i sh f i l l e ts on a p la t te r, then use a s lo t ted spoon to p lace one-ha l f o f the on ion , pepper, and sa lami m ix tu re on top o f each ca t f i sh f i l l e t . Serve w i th lemon wedges on the s ide .

Serves : 1 to 2 .


T his month’s cover photo shows a big Santee Cooper blue cat caught by Br ian Cope whi le f ishing with Capt.

Gene Crawford out of Black’s Camp in South Carol ina. Cope’s f ishing partners for the day were Jeff rey Bur leson and Stacy Atkinson. Like so

many other big f ish catches, the story behind i ts landing is more than the photo depicts. “We were dragging a Carol ina

r ig bai ted wi th cut mul let , ” recal led Cope. “The captain had two or three parachutes out to s low the dr i f t . I t was overcast and raining l ight ly when the

“Everything’s Relative”


Old Sad Daddy: A term coined by Jeff Dodd and picked up by other catfish anglers to refer to a big trophy catfish.

Jeff Dodd, MS

CatfishSpeak - The Language of Catfishing Like any other sport, catfishing has a verbiage of its own. From catfish slang to useful phrases, catfish anglers communicate in a special language. CatfishNow plans to keep you up to date with this angler blending of the English language and catfish jargon that we will call CatfishSpeak.

rod doubled over in the rod holder and I got to i t f i rst . ” “ I thought we might be in t rouble when Capt. Gene f i rst saw the f ish on the surface,” said Cope. “He hesi tated to net the f ish, saying, ‘ i t ’s not going to f i t , ’ and the f ish made another run. Once back on the surface, Capt. Gene got enough of i t in the net that we managed to hoist i t aboard.” “As soon as the f ish was on the boat, Capt. Gene immediately let out a celebratory whoop,” revealed Cope. “Then he high-f ived us al l . Once I to ld him I wanted to release i t , he went to work keeping the f ish nice and

calm and wet. We headed back to the landing to put the f ish in a holding tank to help revive i t . ” The 76-pound blue cat hi t in around 45 feet of water and took about 15 or 20 minutes to land. “Whi le I was f ight ing the f ish, another rod doubled over,” said Cope. “We didn’ t worry about that rod unt i l my f ish was in. Then Bur leson picked up the second rod and reeled in a 35-pound blue. He didn’ t even get a high-f ive for i t wi th the 76-pounder on board, but once back at the landing, everyone commented on what a nice f ish the 35 pounder was.”

RIVER RUMORS


Tournament Results

OHIO HILLSOCTOBER 1st - 2nd GALLIPOLIS/MASON1. James Bink Fox/Janet Fox 55.62. Matthew Reed/Zach Reed 403. Jerry/Kelly 394. Larry King Jr/Brian 36.65. Willie Smith/Nick 28.6BIG FISH1. Janet Fox 29.8

MONSTERS ON THE OHIOOCTOBER 8th OHIO RIVER1. Jeremy Ransom/Travis Robertson 104.42. Rodger Gerloff/Travis Hhunter 102.43. Cory Kopis/Mike Kopis/Chuck Kopis 82.14. Rus Devore/Ben Goebel 77.95. Jim Starcevich/Chris Sloan 76.9BIG FISH1. Jody Beavin/Tricia Beavin 53.4

KANSAS CITY CATFISHOCTOBER 8th KAW POINT1. Duane Buckridge/Quentin Buckridge 51.42. Joel Roberts/Derek Allen 28.43. Wayne Loftin/Brad Kilpatrick 27.44. Brian Branstetter/Matt Brady 22.95. Dustin Miller/Jason Marrant 21.8BIG FISH1. Joel Roberts/Derek Allen 28.4

SOUTHEASTERN CATFISHOCTOBER 9th LAKE WYLIE1. Brian Sipes/Bubba Branch/Mason Brakefield 91.252. Gary Morton Jr./Caleb Sturgis/Gary Morton Sr. 75.33. Kevin Godbee/Crystal Godbee/Tim Doster/Chris Carter

75.15

4. Strawberry Wooten/Ric Helms/Randy Wooten 74.555. Jeff Manning/Michael Paciocco 65.1BIG FISH1. Sam Williams III/Amy williams/Sam Williams IV 39


Tournament ResultsTournament Results

CAROLINA CATT FISH TRAILOCTOBER 15th LAKE WYLIE1. Jeff Manning/Damon Gibson 98.272. Jason Knight/Preston Starkey 57.413. Benji Brown/Riley Brown 56.984. Josh Coggins/Tim Coggins/Lee Harder/Shane Tuell 56.015. Paul Blackwell/Jimmy Holbrook/Layla Ledbetter 51.86BIG FISH1. Jason Knight/Preston Starkey 44.53

CATFISH NATIONOCTOBER 16th FORT WASHINGTON1. Buddy/Donnie 842. Roger/DJ/Chip 21.83. Alan/Shawn 214. Tim/Mike/Keith 16.45. JC/Dewayne 14.6BIG FISH1. Buddy/Donnie 45.4

CENTRAL TEXAS CATFISH TRAILOCTOBER 22nd BRAZOS RIVER1. Roy Ewing/Jason Cummings/Garth Goodwin 39.382. Duke Picket/Levi Picket 6.63. Jerry Dillard/John Dillard/Mark Dillard 5.764. Calloway/Calloway/Heffington 5.425. Parsons/Tanner 4.34BIG FISH1. Roy Ewing/Jason Cummings/Garth Goodwin 33.44

BIG CAT QUESTOCTOBER 22nd - 23rd JAMES RIVER1. James Hopkins 64.452. Mikey Hanes 51.953. Michael Shears 46.14. Justin Alverson 44.45. Joe Hecht 4413 TO 17 YEAR OLDS1. Jared Gough 26.412 AND UNDER1. Damien Eberwine 25.65


Tournament ResultsTournament Results

ALABAMA CATFISH TRAILOCTOBER 23rd LAKE GUNTERSVILLE1. Wayne Reed/Shaun Reed 60.72. Mike Mitchell/Ryan King 583. Steve Dobbs/Shon McWhorter 29.94. Brian Folsom/Tim Peppers 28BIG FISH1. Wayne Reed/Shaun Reed 36.2

JKV CATFISHINGOCTOBER 29th ANGEL MOUNDS1. Dale Kerns/Greg Edwards 122.32. Casey Tuttorow/John Lemaster 64.33. Adam Winder/Kelly Kriesle 63.24. Tony Fuller/Gene Fuller 50.115. Rob Clodfelder/Ethan Taylor 45.1BIG FISH1. Dale Kerns/Greg Edwards 68.9

WEST TEXAS CATFISH TRAILOCTOBER 29th LAKE AROWHEAD1. Ernie Doka/Ernie Doka Sr/Ray Tapp 68.552. Greg Pavur/Eugene Sturgeon 35.73. Danny King/Evan King/James Knight 34.054. Robertson/Weakley/Weakley 32.655. Willmott/Hagan 15.75BIG FISH1. Ernie Doka/Ernie Doka Sr/Ray Tapp 52.15

WEST TN CATFISH ANGLERSNOVEMBER 5th MISSISSIPPI RIVER1. David Magness/Rusty Jackson 104.822. Cary Long/Bill Dance/Chris Stout 99.613. David Shipman/Natalie Brooke Wilbanks 89.834. Roy Harkness/Tim Barnes 74.95. Captain Adam Long/Nick Domino 66.79BIG FISH1. David Magness/Rusty Jackson 66.48


(Fishermen, check with club/association for exact dates, changes, cancellations and rules.)

NOVEMBER 5TH EXTREEME CATFISHING OHIO RIVER CLUBNOVEMBER 5th SOUTHEASTERN CATFISH FISHING CREEK CLUBNOVEMBER 5th OLD DOMINION JAMES River CLUBNOVEMBER 12th CATHUNTERS ASSOCIATION CHATTAHOOCHEE/SEMINOLE RALLYNOVEMBER 12th WEST TEXAS CATFISH TRAIL POSSUM KINGDOM OPENNOVEMBER 12th CAROLINA ANGLERS TEAM TRAIL FISHING CREEK CLUBNOVEMBER 20th CATFISH NATION FORT WASHINGTON CLUBDECEMBER 3rd SOUTHEASTERN CATFISH LAKE WATEREE CLUBDECEMBER 3rd - 4th CENTRAL TEXAS CATFISH TRAIL LAKE WHITNEY CLASSICDECEMBER 3rd OLD DOMINION JAMES River CLUBDECEMBER 10th WEST TEXAS CATFISH TRAIL LAKE TAWAKONI OPENDECEMBER 10th CAROLINA ANGLERS TEAM TRAIL WATEREE CLUBDECEMBER 17th JKV CATFISHING TRAIL GREEN RIVER CLUBDECEMBER 18th CATFISH NATION WHITES FERRY CLUBDECEMBER 10th CAROLINA ANGLERS TEAM TRAIL WATEREE CLUBDECEMBER 17th JKV CATFISHING TRAIL GREEN RIVER CLUBDECEMBER 18th CATFISH NATION WHITES FERRY CLUB

CATFISH CALENDAR

Tournament Results

SOUTHEASTERN CATFISH CLUB

NOVEMBER 5th FISHING CREEK

1. Benji Brown/Riley Brown/Mike Robinson 48.65

2. Jeff Manning/Michael Paciocco 34.1

3. Richard Warskow/Chris Lunsford 33.95

4. Brian Snipes/Bubba Branch/Mason Brakefield 31.35

5. David Catoe/Mike Rape/Tony Canthen 26.55

BIG FISH

1. Benji Brown/Riley Brown/Mike Robinson 19.1Oximui

NATIONAL EVENTS

CLUB CONTACTS WEBSITE

ALABAMA CATFISH TRAIL DANIEL PARSONS www.alabamacatfishtrail.com

BIG CAT QUEST KEN FREEMAN www.bigcatquest.com

BIG SIOUX CAT ANGLERS DICK HENRICHSEN www.bigsiouxcatanglers.com

CABELA'SKING KAT TOURNAMENT TRAIL JEREMY COE www.kingkatusa.com

CAROLINA ANGLERS TEAM TRAIL C.A.T.T BRETT COLLINS www.cattrail.org

CATFISH CHASERS TOURNAMENT SERIES DAVID STUDEBAKER www.catfishchasers.com

CATFISH COUNTRY www.catfishcountry.com

CATFISH NATION OUTDOORS www.catfishnationoutdoors.com

CATHUNTERS ASSOC. OF THE SOUTH C.A.T.S. GLEN FLOWERS www.catsclub.us

CENTRAL TEXAS CATFISH TRAIL

EXTREME CATFISHING CHAD WAUGH

FISHIN BLUES TIM ORR www.fishinblues-catfishin.com

INDIANA CATFISH CHRIS WALLACE www.indianacatfish.com

J.K.V. CATFISHING TOURNAMENT TRAIL JOSH VANOVER

KANAWHA RIVER CATFISH CLUB JUSTIN VAUGHT

KANSAS CITY CATFISH BRAD AND MELISSA

MISSISSIPPI RIVER MONSTERS GEORGE YOUNG www.msrivermonsters.com

MONSTERS ON THE OHIO AARON WHEATLEY www.monstersontheohio.com

OHIO VALLEY RIVER CATS YEARLY EVENT www.ohiovalleyrivercats.org

OLD DOMINION CATFISH CLUB

RED RIVER VALLEY CATFISH LEAGUE BRAD DURICK www.rrvcatfish.com

SCHEELS BOUNDRY BATTLE CATFISH TOURNAMENT BRAD DURRICK www.boundrybattle.com

SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA MO RIVER CATFISH CLUB

SOUTHWEST OHIO CATFISH CLUB

TRI STATE KATS

TRI-COUNTY CATFISH ASSOCIATION TOM WALSH www.tricountycatfish.net

TWISTED CAT OUTDOORS

WEST TEXAS CATFISH TRAIL Chuck McCoy

WEST TN CATFISH ANGLERS JUSTIN RUSSELL

WHISKY CITY CATFISH CLUB www.whiskycitycatfish.com

WICKED WHISKER TOURNAMENT TRAIL JEREMY www.wickedwhisker.com

CATFISH CLUBS


I t had rained most of the night, and the biggest part of the day. You could see blue sky peeping through the clouds back in the west. As I stood on the ramp waiting for an-other boat to launch, the lady stand-ing next to me kept asking the same question over and over. "Do you think we wil l do any good?" I put my sunglasses on so she couldn't see the doubt in my eyes and I replied, "I just don't know. We should, but I just don't know." As we idled around search-ing for bait I managed to catch half a dozen shad and a couple of big yellow tails. The whole time I was thinking what a complete disaster this afternoon of f ishing was going to be. I dropped anchor in about 42 feet of water and faked my best over-con-fident look. I glanced at her and said, "This is where the biguns hide." I cut up the bait making it as appealing as I possibly could. I baited four rods and placed them in the holders. As time went by we reeled in a couple small f ish. The sky was get-ting brighter as the afternoon passed. She sat patiently and quietly l istening to the current with anticipation in her eyes. Then it happened. The rod to the far right went down hard. I set the hook and handed her the rod. I instructed her in fighting the fish. "Hold the rod tip up, don't let any slack in the l ine." I f igured it was a good fish, but I wasn't expecting what I was about to see. I looked down at the water and saw a blue cloud rising to the surface. Then things changed, and I do mean quick! I netted the fish and observed the excitement the lady showed. It was more excitement than I have seen a child have at Christmas time. Following a few pictures, we re-

leased the fish to fight another day. As we stood on the ramp, after loading the boat, she gave me a big hug. The look on her face showed that she meant ev-ery squeeze that she had made in that big hug. Later that night as I was drinking a cup of coffee and planning the remain-der of the day, all I could see was that smile on her face and the excitement in her eyes as she reeled that f ish in. My heart was warmer than the coffee I was drinking. Yep, it was a good day. Yep, It was truly a fantastic day. That my friends is what it ’s all about.

Why We Catfish Guest EditorialThis column is provided for reader submitted editorials on Why We Catfish. If you have a short story related to why you catfish, you may submit it for consideration and publication in a future issue of CatfishNow. Send submissions of 500 words or less and one or two photos to Ron Presley at

[email protected].

Why We Catfish Guest Editorial – by Bryan Norsworthy


This photo from Winter Blues on Wheeler is posted in memory of Paul Strouth

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