As outdoor folks, we all have our idea of that ‘perfect’ outing when pursuing a big buck or collecting a ‘mess’ of catfish. A crisp, clear November day when whitetail deer are in rut and bucks are on the move is a deer hunter's dream. A calm day when fishing is so good one has to “hide to bait the hook” because the bite is so aggressive is what we fisher people hope for.
For me, that perfect fishing trip is centered around a dependable bite and being in the company of some great friends. This was accomplished last week when a few good friends and I enjoyed a fishing trip for catfish and ensuing lakeside fish fry that I doubt any of us will soon forget.
Our group assembled at the store at Wind Point Park last week, just after that first cool front of the fall blew through the night before. We met just after 8:00 a.m.; no need to fish at the break of day for catfish!
Wind was blowing steadily at about 20 knots with occasional gusts that would definitely take the cap off your head. Ryan Fergus, the operator at Wind Point Park, had invited us to sample the catfishing off one of the two fishing piers at the park.
We chose the long pier at the end of the point. This area has for many years been knows as a catfish catching paradise, both for channel and blue catfish. The formula for almost nonstop action on eater size channel catfish weighing between one and two pounds is baiting a spot along the pier with cattle range cubes or soured grain and fishing straight down with a good catfish bait.
We had all bases covered with a supply of range cubes and containers of Tony P’s Punch bait. Tony is a popular catfish guide at Tawakoni and he was able to join us for a morning of catching and a noon meal of crispy fried catfish fillets.
Jumbo-size blue catfish as well as lots of ‘eaters’ are landed off the pier and adjacent rock rip rap, especially during the fall and winter. The key to a red hot blue catfish bite is fishing after a couple days of strong south wind. This pushed baitfish up close against the long point and the blues move in for the easy pickings. But on this day, we were targeting the smaller but equally tasty channel catfish.
We began by tossing several handfuls of range cubes into the 7-foot-deep water near the end of the pier. There were six of us fishing so we baited an area about 25 feet long to insure everyone had plenty of room to hook and land fish.
As is often the case when fishing over a baited hole, the action was slow at first. We hooked a couple of fish during the first 20 minutes or so but after the tantalizing aroma of those tasty range cubes permeated the water, channel catfish congregated in large number to dine. No working for their breakfast...all they had to do was gorge themselves on the tasty cubes which must be likened to us chowing down on a tasty bone-in rib eye!
With the chum in the water and six rods baited with Tony P’s punch bait, there was plenty of fish attracting food in the water and… plenty of catfish to enjoy the easy pickings! I am always amazed at what ‘hogs’ catfish can be. It’s common to catch catfish that have gorged themselves on shad or chum; I’ve often wondered how they could continue eating but a full belly is no deterrent to a good bite.
Technique is always important regardless what species one is targeting. Using enough weight to feel the bite was key to success. At first I was fishing with only a couple of 1/8 oz. split shots and the wind was blowing my line around like a kite string. I simply could not feel the bite. A bit more weight to keep the punch bait down near bottom and I was in business.
Once we were all rigged with enough weight to keep baits just above bottom, the bite was steady. I was using a rig better suited for crappie fishing, a very light and sensitive rod and ultralight spinning reel spooled with colored line. This proved to be a good choice for the size catfish we were landing, most in the 1 to 2 pound range.
Had I hooked one of the bigger fish, I’m not sure my rig would have sufficed but it was the ticket for the smaller ones. I actually caught about half my fish by watching the colored line move when a catfish took the bait and
began swimming off.
Tony Pennebaker, who makes his living guiding folks for catfish and making a very effective catfish bait, had what I consider the perfect rig for this type fishing. He had a slip, egg-type sinker above a stout swivel with a plastic bead or spacer between the weight and swivel. The spacer protects the line from fraying as the weight slides against the swivel. On the bottom of the swivel he ties a 6 inch leader with #6 treble hook at the tag end. With this rig, it’s easy to adjust the weight to suit wind conditions.
This type fishing is pretty basic and doesn’t require any expensive equipment. I plan to watch the weather and return for those big blues this fall/winter. Two days of a steady south wind and you’ll see ole’ Luke rigged and ready for the big ones!
On to the fish fry
We set up a little cooking camp and soon had the hot oil up to 350 degrees. Tony was our fish-cooking chef while Phil Zimmerman prepared some fried potatoes cooked with onions. I brought along some baked beans.
My good friends Kenneth Shepherd and Jill Jorgensen served as sous chefs and food testers to let us know when the potatoes and fish were perfectly fried. Temperature of cooking oil is key when frying fish and Tony uses a state-of-the-art, point-and-shoot digital thermometer to insure the temperature is 350. I’m still old school and add a tiny bit of fish to the oil. If it sizzles, I’m
good to go!
Dining on crunchy very fresh catfish fillets, fried potatoes and beans on a beautiful sunny early fall day, we all knew were enjoying a special moment that we will recall fondly in years to come. May this lifestyle go on forever!
Listen to Luke’s podcast “Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and friends” wherever you find your podcasts
or visit www.catfishradio.org.
