Catfishing (real fishing)

Pretty awesome when the river gives you free bait and then it works well

Church of Catfish in session again this morning.  Lonely parishioner this morning 8-11.  32 smoldering degrees with a water temp of 53 degrees.  The sermon for today was "Where are my winter cats!!".  Well fellow catfisher peeps, they are settling into their winter holes.  I put 14 on shore at the famous Catfish Corridor today.  Only yards where I will pick them off all winter through the ice.  I did bring SSS Blood out for a go even with the lower temps.  Blood put 2 on shore but shiners were the food of choice. Not a super aggressive bite, used my bait runners more today than any other day this year.  Cats would bounce and go or run a few feet of line out.  On a bonus did get an unusual contestant this morning, a nice 5 pounder, really rare to get out of the 3 pound range.

Yes.  Good eaters.

Church of Catfish in session this morning on the famous Catfish Corridor.  The front pew was held down by Mark and the back pew was held down by myself.  Hit the river about 8 this morning to a slight breeze from the north.  Hit a spot just that is usually good from shore, Mark strikes first with a chubby Small mouth on cut suckers, I only have a tap or two on stinks.  Water is cold enough that SSS is sticking like glue.  Make our move to the next spot after a hour or so of disappointment.  Jam down to 22 feet of water and let the anchors fly.  Typical catfishy looking spot, wood, current, sharp drop and wind blowing into shore.  Cut suckers up front hit the first cat tiny even by Corridor standards.  SSS Blood hits home after a few attempts.  Tried vertical jigging as plenty of fish were on the Humming bird 2-5 off bottom.  Blood hits again, normal eater.  After a few hit and runs we finally had 5 rods vertical and one out towards the wood.  8-11:30 we could only do 5 cats and one smally.  3 SSS blood and 2 cut suckers.

long shot here, asking for spots always is, but headed up to Stevens Point this weekend and debating trying to take 3/4 smaller cats for the smoker.....would be pretty much my one trip there period. 

Any suggestions for a spot for bank fishing to take the wife this Sat or Sunday?  And how has the bite been?  Feel free to pm instead of broadcasting a spot.

Thanks in advance!

CD,
Thanks very much. I used to keep some ~14-18" channel cats up on Winnebago that were excellent eating.
BG25

BG,

He does occasionally keep some smaller catfish.  I am pretty sure he deep fries them.  Not sure on the coating/ breading. I know he came to the Corridor to keep a few for a gathering a few years ago and they were a huge hit.   But, the key is to soak in milk at least a few hours, but best to do it overnight.  And, bleed them before you clean them if able.  I know Svitreum cuts the tails off to bleed them.  One of the Channel Cat Addiction Support Group members has done a catch and cook where he blackened them... can see it at MarkPro youtube channel.  Certainly are an abundant resource in these parts.  Have at it.  
Craw.

LITGUY,
Do you keep the cats for eating, or throw them back? If you eat them, how do you prepare them and how good are they?
BG25