A number of you may know of my travails with catfish. I've tried most everything to get a number of them out of my pond, especially the big ones (32 inches and larger -- but I'll take any catfish that decides to bite). I'm now convinced they've spawned and a number of them have survived to the 12 to 18 inch size. The younger ones seem to be even more wary than their parents.
I've tried about everything. I believe it was Bruce Condello who suggested, here on the forum and at the PB convention, to try shrimp.
On the way home tonight, I stopped and bought some 38-41 count fresh shrimp.
The big guys were circling like sharks when I went down to the pond about a half-hour before sundown. Because they were close to the surface, I used a small styrofoam bobber about a foot above a reasonable sized circle hook completely hidden in a shrimp.
Within seconds of hitting the water, the bobber took off and didn't come back up. When I finally decided to set the hook, I was both pleased and surprised when it turned out to be a really big male bluegill (10 to 11 inch, and fat) who somehow managed to get a rather large shrimp and circle hook in his mouth.
As the sun was going down, I'd see four or five large cats circling the bobber. Then one would slap its tail like a beaver, and they'd be gone for several minutes. None were tempted to sample the shrimp.
A little while later, as it was getting pretty dark, I assume it was a silly bass that jumped out of the water with my bobber, and took it for a short ride.
Over the past three seasons, I've tried about everything except dynamite and black walnut shells. I've tried crawlers, chicken liver, raw chicken, blood bait, dough, stink bait, plain hot dogs, marinated hot dogs, Cecil Baird's pantyhose, small and medium size bluegill with and without tails, golden shiners, various sprays (including WD-40) -- and now shrimp. I've fished at all times of the day and night, with rods, trot lines, and jugs. We've had multiple Friday and Saturday evening fishing parties with so-called catfishing "experts." We've only gotten a few catfish.
I'm going to buy a sein this weekend and try feeding them behind it for several days. As big as they are, I just hope they don't rip it to shreds if I happen to trick a few into getting behind it.
Maybe it is just best to let them be. Many of the bluegill we catch are citation size -- but we'd sure like to have some catfish dinners.
Someday, I'm going to win -- maybe!
Ken G.
