ASUOutdoorsman Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Here’s my first post on CouesWhitetail! I love to catfish and try to get out whenever I get the chance to between my work and school schedule. All the catfish that I’ve caught have been at community lakes when they’re stocked. I want to start going out and targeting bigger catfish at places like Roosevelt, Pleasant, Bartlett, etc. I see a lot of people using boats and kayaks to drop their live baits in the lake. I don’t have a boat so I’m stuck on the shore. How do you cast from the shore without losing your live bait? The other day I was out fishing and decided to try to cast a bluegill from the shore. A very soft, smooth cast and the bluegill was off my 8/0 hook and airborne. Any advice for a rookie? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5guyshunting Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Hook the blue gill through the back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Hook the blue gill through the back. And de-scale one side, keeps them swimming in circles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwampMafia Report post Posted June 9, 2016 Buy an inner tube, and kick it out there. I did that for a few years before investing in a kayak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted June 10, 2016 Blue gill canon.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASUOutdoorsman Report post Posted June 10, 2016 Lol I don't know if I'd want to be floating in the dark out there. During the day that would be pretty cool. I hook it on the back being careful not to break it's spine but when I cast, I lose the bluegill. Maybe I'm doing something wrong... Thought about using a small rc boat to drive my bait out there and drop it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted June 10, 2016 Not sure about the lakes up your way but keep in mind you don't necessarily need to get it waaayyy out there. Flatheads go to the shallows where the bluegills (or other bait fish) are at night. Look close at google earth where your fishing and try to find a gradual grade into the deep water and try there. If you pm me i'll guide you to an example of what I'm talking about. If I had a boat I would go into the middle of a cove that I know has a lot of gills sit in the center and cast out towards the edges. As far as casting make sure you have a good ounce slide sinker on it and a little longer pole helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted June 10, 2016 use a circle hook - you'll lose less bait - learn to lob the bait instead of casting - +1 on long pole generations of fishing from shore - lots of big cats over the yrs. do not forget about Alamo in the end of april - not uncommon to catch lots and lots of cats fish - if you can time the shad run 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted June 10, 2016 Yup Circle hook and just freeline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted June 10, 2016 The best bait is a carp minnow if you can find some. Bluegill and tilapia are good. We used to do pretty well on large goldfish too. Then again we have a lot more baitfish options on the lower Colorado so be sure to take this advice with caution and read the regs for your fishing spot. Egg sinkers that the line can slip through some are good to have, upstream of a swivel with leader of line tied below of course. I also used to use 3 way swivels with the weight on the bottom of the 3 way so that if you get hunt up you would only lose the weight instead of your whole rig. Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhedg Report post Posted June 14, 2016 Lol I don't know if I'd want to be floating in the dark out there. During the day that would be pretty cool. I hook it on the back being careful not to break it's spine but when I cast, I lose the bluegill. Maybe I'm doing something wrong... Thought about using a small rc boat to drive my bait out there and drop it... Whats the difference floating around at night compared to the day .floatins/floatin, no big deal really here not to much mean stuff in the water out here compared to other parts of the country. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASUOutdoorsman Report post Posted June 15, 2016 True. I'll have to try it sometime. I hope to get a longer pole and I'll have to start practicing lobing the bait. If I find tilapia I'd be tempted to just keep it and cook it at home. Thanks for all the advice guys, can't wait to get out and put some lines in the water! I think I have a couple days off from school in two weeks, thinking of getting out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterjohnny Report post Posted June 15, 2016 Lol I don't know if I'd want to be floating in the dark out there. During the day that would be pretty cool. I hook it on the back being careful not to break it's spine but when I cast, I lose the bluegill. Maybe I'm doing something wrong... Thought about using a small rc boat to drive my bait out there and drop it... Whats the difference floating around at night compared to the day .floatins/floatin, no big deal really here not to much mean stuff in the water out here compared to other parts of the country. It's just creepy in the dark! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted June 15, 2016 Lol I don't know if I'd want to be floating in the dark out there. During the day that would be pretty cool. I hook it on the back being careful not to break it's spine but when I cast, I lose the bluegill. Maybe I'm doing something wrong... Thought about using a small rc boat to drive my bait out there and drop it... Whats the difference floating around at night compared to the day .floatins/floatin, no big deal really here not to much mean stuff in the water out here compared to other parts of the country. It's just creepy in the dark! And hard to see swimming snakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missedagain Report post Posted June 16, 2016 anyone on the lakes at night whether you are in a float tube or kayak or whatever needs to have navigation lights. It would only be a matter of time before you were run over by a boat if you are sitting out in the dark with no lights Plenty of flatheads are caught off shore, they will feed in very shallow water 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
