How to tackle a new river for cats

[Tootsie Roll]

First let me say, the pics I see of all the big cats is great. Wish we had some of those around here. I live in Hertford, North Carolina. I love catfishing. I've heard of big Blue cats in the chowan around the Winton bridge, some over 50 lbs. But not many people fish for them, so there isn't much info out there to be taken in. My question is this.... If you were to fish a new river such as the chowan that is relatively narrow with water anywhere from 5 feet to 35 or 40 feet, and from what I've seen, little or no current, how would you go about trying to catch catfish there. I know they have plenty of channel cats. I've seen some over 20 lbs come out of there and like I said, I've heard of 30 to 50 lb blues. But I'm lost as to how to try to catch em this time of the year. What type of structure, bottom, dropoffs, river bends, or anything in particular I need to look for and how to tackle finding em. I haven't fished that far up the river except for white perch in the spring. The area I am talking about is between the Hwy13 Bridge near winton and the state line where the Nottaway and Blackwater rivers meet the Chowan. I'm not sure what type of forage fish the cats feed on in the chowan this time of year. Any help where to start would be greatly appreciated. You can PM me if you would rather. Thanks in advance.

Tootsie Roll

[CaptMikeStarrett]

Pretty tight lipped group..

I personnally look for an edge with a drop off to anchor up on. That way I can fish shallow and deep till I find there comfort zone.

The best bait this time of year is cut gizzard (mud) shad. They will be dying off from winter kill now and can be found floating about.

Capt Mike

[Tootsie Roll]

Thanks, Mike. Yeah, I really thought I would have several responses to that question. Maybe this weekend some others will chime in. Again, thanks for the info. I think I'll give it a try in a couple of weeks. Can't be any slower than the rock fishing has been around here this year.

[JPritch]

For bait, it all depends on what the main forage fish is in that water. If it's gizzard shad, then use that. Although you can never go wrong with using bluegill or a crappie. Use big baits to catch big fish....cut that big crappie in half or in thirds, or if you are really greedy, fish it whole! Make sure you have tackle that can handle the 50# fish you're after....rod, reel, line, leader, hook size. For locations...any of the areas you mention sound good to me, against the bridge pilings or other visible structure, deep holes and bends which often go together, dropoffs, and even shallow water. Just gotta try 'em until you find what works.

[madtom]

tootsie roll I would try and find some shad or use some perch for bait. Also try and fish stucture. I would spend the first cpl of times moving fast and trying to cover a lot of ground. Let us know how it goes.

[Oran Shea]

Man I have always wondered what was in those blackwater rivers since I show them in the late 90's. Please let us know how you do.

[fishingarchie1960]

hey tootsie roll, if i were going to fish a river i've never been to before first on the list is a map of the river, second look for the deepest water areas, third curves in the river and finally mouths of creeks. sometimes all of these things come together all in one area. then do the basics, fish dropoffs, secondary channel cuts,flats. don't waste time just looking for fish because you may find some grouped up and may not catch em. concetrate on ledges, bottom changes like humps or ditches or debris structure, these are areas where big fish are commonly found. just like deer hunting sometimes only 10 acres out of 100 is the best. hope you get one. archie gold- nightstalker guide service