Catching cats in the Franklin area

[justfishin]

I have been fishing the river out that way and have been catching channel cats upto 5 pounds on chicken livers ( bowfin too ! ) Should I try live bluegill for bigger fish or cut bait ? What type of rig do you typically use . I usually bass fish but catfishing is fun too. Thanks for any replies. Btw it's not the blackwater river but I heard that it runs towards Courtland and I'm not sure of the name ?

[earlyriser]

The Nottoway River is the one that you have mentioned. I have heard about the channels and how people catch them on chicken livers. I have caught channels way up river from Courtland using cut bait, use a fish finder rig, just enough weight to hold the bottom. Usually you will catch cats, gar, bowfin, bass, and if you are lucky stripers.

[justfishin]

Yep thats its. I had a bass fisherman tell me that awhile back and couldn't remember the name. I have caught several bass upto 3 pounds there and I always release everything except for an occaisional cat for dinner which isnt that often because of my other connections of catching Tautog , seabass and flounder. There are alot of gar and bowfin in there thats for sure . lol , I usually bottom fish for cats and throw large minnows up towards the trees for bass and have tried the dead minnows for cats but they seem to like to hit the livers better. What type of cut bait would be best ? The older guy bass fishing told me that alot of guys keep the bass from there to stock other places and didnt seem to happy about it of course , which I can't blame him. Thanks again for the info. Dan