Basser2021

Hey guys, This spring I'm looking to do something besides bass fish every trip, and am looking into going cat-fishing at a local river I'm new to fishing for big catfish other than channel cats I would assume that braided line is needed, but what lb test line do you guys use for big cats such as blue catfish or flathead? Thanks in advance for the input!

Amen sir.... Amen

I agree with this, but the only difference I would have is that I would put paddle tails #1. They personally have worked for me better than anything. But each fishermen has their "go-to" for anything

Thanks for the info! I just started using yum dingers this past summer, and barely used anything else the rest of the year they really surprised me.

I would have to agree. I can take a flipping jig and work it like a swim jig and vice- versa, but one must do what they are comfortable with.

I would agree

Hit the nail right on the head

In my personal experience, I have noticed that the bass fishing is better in lower water. Maybe because the lower water is a lot clearer than higher water is?

I'll have to try it then I've only caught two in my whole live, one off a rebel crawdad and one off a live frog

For springtime crappie I have two go-to baits 1. Berkley Powerbait white grubs on a 1/8 oz jighead 2. Strike king Mr crappie slabalicious tuxedo black and charteruse 1/16 oz jighead

A fellow local fishermen told me that gar eggs are poisonous I suppose he was talking about longnose

While I'm from TN and don't have a whole bunch of experience on this topic, I would definetley go with a drop shot rig.

In public water... No If I was trying to control an overpopulated bass population in my personal pond.... yes

This is my technique as well. However I fish smaller rivers and creeks that are LOADED with crawfish, so another technique might work in your neck of the woods

Same here

I don't know who wouldn't be Lol?

I second this.. Smallmouth are way better to eat.

About the Googan Squad..... some of them do seem to do stupid things like go fishing in places they shouldn't just to get kicked out by a "Karen" and get views. But most of them are okay. You mentioned Jon B and LFG are fine but I would add AYO Fishing to that list. He acts mature, has a good sense of humor, and has interesting content. As far a Googan baits the soft plastics are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced. They are so cheaply made that they barely last. I doubt I'll ever use their plastics again, but I tend to prefer their hard baits/ topwater over other brands. Another one for me besides googan plastics is the berkley pit boss. I love the power worms but I can never catch anything on the pit boss.

I catch a bunch of drum around here. I don't know what it is but middle TN has too many drum and carp.

I would say a 7 inch worm would work, but I personally wouldn't go any larger.

For me, it depends on the time of year and water temp obviously. In the spring I am probably the slowest fisherman not catfishing, and in the summer I am the exact same way. In fall I am considered a very fast fisherman using spinnerbaits and paddletails for obvious reasons. In winter;however, I am a fast fisherman. People tend to think I'm crazy but I have always caught big bass off of moving baits this time of year in shallow water.

I use the 3 inch version that is 1/4 ounce. The swimbaits come with jigheads in them so there is no need to buy jigheads. I also like to use it on a spinning combo.

If I were you I would stick with that zoom craw that gave you confidence. If you don't have confidence while fishing, you might as well not even go. Congrats on the big smallie by the way. A smallie that size in my area is something to brag about. Good catch and Good luck!

I love to use a Strike King rage menace with matching color to the jig and make sure it is a good size compared to the jig.

I fish ponds that are very shallow and have had good luck with a Storm Swim Shad. It has the perfect weight for shallow ponds.