Catmandoo - Why are CC a pest when they get big?
They begin to cause multiple issues as they get about 22 to 25 inches. There comes a point where they become very wise and very hook smart. Part of the hook smartness comes from them attacking baits or flies intended for bluegills. As the catfish grow to a brute size, it is pretty hard to control a 30-inch catfish on an ultralight with 4 lb., test line, or a flyrod with a very light tippet. They will grab a bait on an ultralight or flyrod, and run with it well into cover and structure, or around your dock, where they will become so entangled that you have no choice but to break your line. They learn real quick from such an adventure.
Then, think of the Cheshire cat's smile when you think of a channel cat's very wide mouth.
I don't mind feeding while I can still catch one or two for a catfish dinner or neighborhood fish fry, like this little guy that my grandson dragged in.
Once they hit the "tipping point" where they become very hard to catch, they can make a single sweep like a huge skimmer or vacuum cleaner. When they get to this size,
just one catfish can skim through the floating pellets intended to feed 25 big bluegill. When there are several of them, they look like a wolfpack of sharks skimming the surface.
Come early summer, they get pretty randy. They start to excavate huge caves in the steep sides of ponds so they can impress multiple girlfriends. If you don't know the cave is there, it is murder on a tractor, heavy mower, or your leg. Once they get their cave done, you need to become a noodler to get them out. (We're now extremely fortunate to have a lot of good Okies on the forum who can give great inspiration and noodling directions.)
If they make it through the breeding season without getting noodled, then they are real hungry. They start scouring the bottom of your pond, where they stir up everything. Your pond becomes muddy.
Other than that, they are pretty good -- especially with cornbread!
Good noodlin'
Ken