ccmtcanada Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) Fishnsled and I were talking last months about maybe trying to target Channel Cats this spring...as neither of us has targeted them before. I for one had NEVER even caught one before! After getting in contact with Steve from Fishmasters, we set up a date to give them a try. Saturday April 7th was the day...and we left Oshawa at 8am to get there by 11. We were early, so we headed off to a great greasy spoon for breakfast...sausage, eggs, homefries, toast and coffee. It doesn't get much better than that! At 11am, we met up with Steve and we wasted no time in getting out of the water. I have to tell you...it's a stressful way to fish as you can tell from this picture... The bite was slow, and everyone we talked to on the river said they have had no luck as of yet! The first fish in the boat was a bullhead...and after it was released, it was Fishnsled's turn at the next fish. He got us on the board with this little one! Next it was my turn...and I landed my first ever Channel Cat! Fishnsled landed a small one we didn't take a picture of, and then I lost a what felt like a pretty good sized one. Will got the last fish...the biggest of the day and estimated at around 16 to 17 pounds! All in all, on a day that was VERY slow for everyone we met out on the river, we hooked 5 and lost 1! Steve worked hard to get us onto these fish. We tried different depths and locations all day long. The fish didn't cooperate as he had hoped, but we had a great time out there. We learned a lot from Steve and hopefully plan on heading down there one more time to target these fish. Thanks Steve! We had a great time! I put together a short video of some of the fish we landed as well as a short clip of a bald Eagle flying around us...such a majestic bird! I had to be fully zoomed in to get that footage, so the camera is a bit shaky. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Asqwq10opEM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Edited April 9, 2012 by ccmt
Freshtrax Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Did you try " here kitty kitty kitty" Always works for me. Looks like a great way to spend a day to me
skeeter Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Great job on boating any cats. I was down there also on Saturday, we managed to land 1 cat between 6 of us. Lot's of light bites, but the 50 degree water temp turned them off. We even had 1 guy throw out a bucket load of chum for them. Apparently cat fish are not fond of chunk ahoy cookies marinated in alcohol and stomach acid. :tease: Congrats to you Cliff & Will
fishnsled Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Thanks Skeeter and we did try the " here kitty kitty kitty" Freshtrax but no luck for us doing that. Thanks Cliff for doing up the report and putting together that video, fun to watch. It certainly was a great day with Steve and learned a lot. An awesome way to learn about this fishery as Steve's knowledge is incredible and I believe it's what made our day the success that it was give the conditions. Thanks again Steve!
bdox Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 We were also out Saturday mid-day and when you guys passed us I mentioned to my fishing partner "There's Fishmaster with some clients, and that one guy looks like CCMT from OFC." We fished from Fishmaster's down to the last bend in the river with only 2 bites. The wind really picked up around noon and we stuck it out until 3pm and called it a day.
mercman Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Now theres some weird lookin critters The fish are strange lookin too JK !!! Nice kittys Cliff. Thanks for the report! Paul
Christopheraaron Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) I was down there saturday and today, they weren't biting for anyone at fishmasters so we headed upstream to some shallower water where the water was warmer, on saturday I had one nice cat on that broke off just as I was pulling it to shore and today I managed 1 carp, once the weather heats up they should be more active. Nice ones there and that one is a HOG! Edited April 9, 2012 by Richmond Hill fisher
Headhunter Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Look at the yapper on that one!!!!! Man, tha fish has one too! Nice job guys! Kitty's is just what the doctor ordered for youse two! HH
misfish Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Meow meow meow,meow meow meow,come on Cliff,sing it.LOL Good job fellas.
Moosebunk Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Good fishin' Cliff. Those southern cats and the reports this time of year are always intriguing.
solopaddler Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Well done gents, glad to see you caught a couple. It sucked for me on Friday!
Spiel Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Look at the yapper on that one!!!!! You talking 'bout the fish or Will? Thanks for the report Cliff, while the success was marginal it sure looks like more fun than I had on Saturday.
crappieperchhunter Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Nice report The one trip I made down there was very similar. We did a little better...but it was a slow day. Steve really worked to put us on fish. Moved several times...tried lotsa different baits. Even cleaned the fish for the one in our group who wanted to take some home to try. I totally enjoyed the experience. If I wasn't in full Simcoe perch and Kawartha crappie mode this time of year I would make it a yearly ritual. Thx for sharing your day
fishnsled Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Nice job guys! Kitty's is just what the doctor ordered for youse two! HH Thanks Joe, wrong type of kitty though... You talking 'bout the fish or Will? HEY!! Nice report If I wasn't in full Simcoe perch and Kawartha crappie mode this time of year I would make it a yearly ritual. That's been my problem as well over the last few years but certainly glad we made the trip this year. Will definitely do it again.
Mike Pike Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 (edited) By all accounts, a tough day of fishing. But you guys got into a few more than most so congratz to all. Just looked like cool way to spend the day, greasy diner for breakfast and all! Edited April 10, 2012 by Mike Pike
Leecher Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 Sounds like fun even with the lack of active whiskers... Good job Cliff and Will :thumbsup_anim:
Ron Posted April 10, 2012 Report Posted April 10, 2012 You guys did much better than we did a week back. We had the cold front come through and the water temps went from 56f to 47f. Talk about shutting them down. There were several other boats out with us and we only managed to SEE one caught! Hoping to get down again but i still haven't had time to get out Crappie fishing in the Kawarthas yet. Cheers, Ron...
MJL Posted April 11, 2012 Report Posted April 11, 2012 Cliff, I’m sure diving in and noodling for the cats would be way more fun in the Grand...The water looks so prime for that right now Great job guys
Fishmaster Posted April 11, 2012 Report Posted April 11, 2012 Thanks Cliff and Will for a great day ...its always nice hooken up with OFCers and haven a great day on the water ...and lots of good laughs also Hope to see you guys again soon Maybe a Salmon Trip
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