Channel Cats in Ponds

[Jim Gronaw]

We have had a very good week with pond cats, and largemouths, locally. Pond catties are available to us in about 8 different small bodies of water, both public and private. We have been getting them mostly on imitation crab meat below bobbers. All these from this past week are from 24 to 30 inches and are public water catches. Just a nice change of pace from other species, and October is a great month for them.

Matt with a really nice one.

Got this one today...right at 30 inches.

Yet another lean cattie.

Matt with an 8 plus pounder...fine fish!

Catfishing can be great through the fall, guys! Give it a shot if you have some near you!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I may go Friday, up to the big lake. I have some good spots near deep channels that may funnel a few cats my directio.

Thanks, Jim!

[Tony Livingston]

We have a pond setup for Channel cats, should be some good ones in there too......

Nice catches, Jim and Matt.

[Jim Gronaw]

Tony...I have notice how tough these cats are to fool once there has been consistant action on them. Seems they just wise up and get a little line/hook shy. As agressive and powerful as they are, I also think they are a bit smarter than most anglers credit them, especially in pond or small lake venues.

What's your thoughts on these guys?

[Tony Livingston]

Absolutely Jim. I stocked them in one pond so the boys could have fun tangling with something "big", and we've fished it a few times but not like we should. I feed that pond also, and they have grown pretty large. I'm sure there are 8-10 lb fish in there now, from what I see cruising the surface.

I told the boys we need to remove some of those fish, as I have other plans for this pond, but even the limited amount of  angling pressure endured by these cats has been enough to make them very cautious....you might catch one, but then the rest will scatter  and it's over.

From here on out, no catfish will be released...just too difficult to get them to bite again. 

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Fall is great for cats in the tidal rivers of coastal N.C. as well. Good looking fish Jim!

[chris kowaleski]

Damn those are some nice cats Jim!