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 Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28
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OP
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28 |
I put in 300 9" channel cats this summer. Prior to doing this we are pretty sure that we caught out all of the large largemouth from the pond. I don't know a lot about channel catfish and have never had them before. I haven't ever actually seen one. My pond is fairly clear. We see bluegill and bass. I haven't seen any of them floating or anything. Where are they? How can I confirm they are there? Fishing with worms just seems to catch small bluegill.
Thanks!
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,917 Likes: 40
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,917 Likes: 40 |
That's kind of troubling.
By comparison, I put 6 11" Channel Cats in 1/2 acre with SMB, YP, and BGxRES. We caught 3 of them by the end of warm weather.
Do you feed any fish food? That's about the easiest way to get CC to show up. Try feeding regularly when water temps get above 50 degrees F.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 332 Likes: 12
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 332 Likes: 12 |
I'd try using cut-bait or something that the bluegills won't mess with, like a hot dog or chicken breast/livers. You could also try try jug-lining or limb-lining and leave some baits out overnight.
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 476 Likes: 6
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 476 Likes: 6 |
throw some crankbaits at them
Mat Peirce 1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,346 Likes: 5
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,346 Likes: 5 |
I put over 40- 4-6 inch CC in my forage pond back last spring with the intention to grow then big enough to stock into my other ponds. By August, there were only four left at about 9 inches each. Great Blue Herons had eaten them. I know because I witnessed some of it. I stocked the four into my other ponds.
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28
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OP
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28 |
Thanks for your replies! John, I am glad you posted about blue herons. I bet I have 2 or 3 a day visit my pond religiously. I guess that's my answer!
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,073
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,073 |
FWIW if you don't feed them, you may never see them. I catch them easily in my pond on shiners.
![[Linked Image]](http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=11852&filename=I_subscribe_zps2qlyoyn2.gif) You'll never know what ya can catch unless you wet a line!
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 Re: Where are my channel cats?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,816 Likes: 30
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,816 Likes: 30 |
Jim, I would “discourage” the birds.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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Core
by esshup - 04/17/21 04:39 AM
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ID?
by Quixotic, February 7
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