It is kind of sad.....but I'm not upset enough to find him a date! Single sex, low density stockings can be a pretty good management tool in certain applications.
Now don't go all PETA on me, LOL! I know exactly what you mean, but it's really not sad.... I'm of the opinion it's a mistake to tag human thoughts, feelings, and emotions onto wildlife or even our pets. They're not even close to being human. In all fairness we really don't know what's going on in Flat Alberts pea brain. The good Lord wired them completely different and as the good book says "God gave man dominion over them." I don't know that from just going to Sunday school. I have experienced it, as most of us have.
So don't fret over Albert. I guarantee you, he is not worried a bit about not having a mate. In fact I think it's more likely that ole Albert is probably laying there looking up at you thinking about food. I'm sure he saying to himself "I wouldn't mind choking this guy down who visits me often. I'm just wishing I was little bigger, he was little smaller & I had the opportunity" Of course you might have to move around and act a little a like a fish, LOL
Well, I'm not speaking in reference to what Albert may or may not be feeling, but in regards to myself. Compassion, in whatever form, in my mind runs hand in hand with being a good steward of the environment.I was raised in an outdoor family, have hunted, fished, and trapped since I was a kid, and was taught to respect the outdoors and the creatures that live in such. I'm not about to quit using live bait.....but I also think that having a sense of compassion for the animals I interact with serves me well. I never want to get to the point where I look at them as simply organic objects, put here for my exploitation.
To me, it's about life, and the respect for such. I don't worry about Albert in the least. But I do find it kind of sad that the circle of life that was intended for him to fulfill will never come to pass. Even if he doesn't feel that way. I suppose that's one more thing that separates me from him....compassion.
Yeah, we all know what 'ol Albert would like to doing.
He's a fish, we're not.
It'd be a huge mistake to pair him with a female. That's a given.
For controlling population, he's ideal. Probably eats his weight in fish every two weeks.
Yeah, we all know what 'ol Albert would like to be doing.
But, he's a fish, we're not.
It'd be a huge mistake to pair him with a female. That's a given.
For controlling population, though, he's ideal. Probably eats his weight in fish every two weeks.
Tony, that's a good point . I Agree completely my friend. I knew what you were saying. I was just making conversation with a little joking. I just wish more people felt as we do. Nothing wrong with compassion and respect. Very important!
I agree Rod. I also wish compassion and respect for nature were more prevalent these days. All we can do is to try and lead by example, I suppose. I'm glad to know that there are others who feel as I do!
It's all good guys! Keep after me, and keep sharing your thoughts. I've had my eyes opened more than once by what I've learned on this forum. Nobody knows it all, most certainly not me. Not even close. If we continue to share with each other, we'll all come out better for it. And "all" includes me.
Tony sure does know what he's talking about . I'm mostly self taught and didn't have a lot of guidance from a family interested in fishing ,so I poke and hope a lot .Lol
lol an expression I've used for fishing ,billiards and learning guitar .All my guitar students have heard me say it over and over throught the years ",Don't poke and hope , slow down and hear what you want to do "
speaking of Leo;; LOL;; Tony;; your right buddy!! part mad scientist;; comedian; and a computer whiz!! thankfully we have him here!! personally I owe Leo a LOT!! THANKS LEO !!!!!!!!!!
John, about your comments on not having caught any White Bullheads or "White Cats". You're in great White Cat country. I hear Spruce Run Reservoir is infested with them? If it's not that far from you? You ought to make a quick trip up there and help them with some population control.
If you ever make it up to Maine? Try the Kennebec River. I've read the Kennebec is loaded with them. There is one, or two resorts up that way offering White Catfish trips.
Now now..my brain is too hopped up on caffeine and stresses to be salvaged and used by anyone. Y'all have plenty of craziness in your life. Taking my insanity into your own life will merely cause you to have panic attack, lost of consciousness, and of course, create confusion and chaos among yourself.
However, if the brain happens to remain in this self-contained apparatus I called an aging body, you're more than welcome to hook it up to a chair (possibly solar powered electric), and grab as much info as you want. As Carl the "Certified Crazy Person" would say, "Glad to give and enjoy a little life we have with everyone.
Yes Carl , he is very ,helpful , thoughtful and encouraging .Tony have you seen Bheads come thru the ice .The one I saw took a fathead minnow on a tipup.
I don't see why they couldn't be taken year round. I've caught many Channel catfish through the ice, and I would be willing to bet that bullies can be just as aggressive in the cold water.
Been hanging around you too long Carl ;-) LOL As Tony indicated, cats are year round, and all day. So far, I've observed the behaviors of the cats, thanks to the boys and girls from Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the local anglers, they're literally active year round, 24/7, regardless of the temperature condition.
When food sources are available in abundant, they will only seek food when needed. When the food sources are scarce, they will hunt, regardless of the hour of the day, nor the season. They will be slow moving in the colder (less than 48°F), and hotter (more than 96°..yep..some California waters can get that hot between Sept and Oct) periods. Dissolved oxygen can be as low as 2ppm, and they still move about like active hungry lions on the hunt.
Yea White Cats are in the Bullhead family Amerius. They are the kings of the Bullhead family. I call them the "Great White Bullhead" because they share the same demarcation pattern that White Sharks display There are a total of 7 types. The White,Black,Brown,Yellow, Snail, Flat, and the Spotted Bullhead. They can top 10 pounds or better. I think the average is around 1-3 pounds, but I hear 4 and 5 pound fish are not that uncommon.
John, I wish I could give you a better answer, but every Channel I've ever pulled through the ice has been an accidental catch. I've never targeted them purposefully, but instead have had them hit ice jigs while fishing for bluegills or crappies. Usually tipped with spikes or maggots.
Snail, Flat and Spotted Bheads are a mystery to me .I 've only caught Yellows and Browns but Blacks are in waters nearby I understand . 'Big White Bullhead " , something to look for in the waters 'round here !
Tony, it wasn't accidental nor chanced catches. You actually fulfilled two critiera:
1. Available food source.
2. It's fresh, alive, and moving. By the way, fresh and alive, while drown, spikes/maggots do release a chemical compounds that cull/request help from the friendly neighbors (other spikes).
We have infestation of maggots at time during early summer to late fall. Our dogs are know for taking out field mice and pests that enter upon our property. Of course, a few days away without taking care of the small yard, where the 3 dogs have their marking, can cause quite a bit of interesting eco-system development, including high level of maggots. When we try to clean the dead bodies full of spikes around the yard, or the compost bin in the past, we notice they scatter from ground zero where the threat occur. However, if there's any maggot near by the fleeing body, the neighboring maggot immediately follow the fleeing one. Chemical communication just like the ants. Once they found a good spot to hide, they huddle up into a giant ball (dog pile).
So, next time, before putting/exchanging a maggot onto the hook, stir the pot a little. Give a good 2 to 3 minutes before grabbing one. That way, there is plenty of chemical coating all over the lucky victim, and the future victim. Flight or fight chemical is generated constantly. So, the more got coated onto them, the better.
If you're using worms, waxworms, and mealworms, you got yourself some great live arsenal. Unfortunately, I don't see anything similar for crickets. Sorry cricket users.
No problem Tony!.My best channel Cat ( 12 lbs,30 " ) was an incidental catch . Took a tiny worm on an oversized hook for trout that I was fishing for .Went bass fishing and found there was an unannounced surplus stocking of Trout and I didn't have my trout gear .The sloshing around of the released hatchery truck trout called the Big Cat into investigate, I'm thinking . The 2nd best Channel Cat was a 29" 10 # Cat that took a chunk of Hotdog on a #1 hook Me and Art Cole targeted and did well on those channel Cats that night . They were all between 4-10# and we caught about six if I recall correctly . I chummed wet catfood and started catching a 1/2 hour after throwing it out on a spoon .
"They are eating machines. I can say however, that his presence has not been detrimental to the pond, even after all these years. Still plenty of young bluegills left,and loads of slender bass.
However......I haven't seen the Walleye fingerlings since I stocked them last year. Could be due to Albert, but could be the nature of the eyes' also."
Experiment time! Move old Albert to one of the other ponds and let's see what happens.
It seems, when I think of it, that all the catfish/bullheads I've ever caught were incidental
Try as I might to target them, I've failed. But let me put a worm on the bottom in hopes of a shellcracker - and a whisker fish is likely to show up.
We usually target cats 6-8 times a year from local, small lake venues where we know there are some fish in the system. I have only caught 5 this year, my son got three and my bro-in-law has done very well catching 16, most from 5 to 8 pounds...all released. Most caught on bobbers with some kind of bait and several caught on liver sacs using European bite-alarm strategy. Best fish of the year was Matt's sensational 32 incher that we estimated at 13 to 14 pounds...
We released this fish after removing the stainless circle hook. A few more...
Baits varied...I took Tony's advice that cats were very savvy to a bait once they were caught and released in small water venues like we fish. So...we switched it up, using chicken livers, cut herring, cut bluegills and bluegill heads and various flavored hot dog pieces. Also, several 7 pound plus catties took small live bluegills for bait.
I've only had a couple incidental cats that I can think of right off the bat. One was a nightcrawler on the bottom while fishing for anything that'd bite and the other was while using a live minnow under a cork. I had left the rod and walked off to fish another area only to find the big cat on it when I returned.
Tony Livingston
It is kind of sad.....but I'm not upset enough to find him a date! Single sex, low density stockings can be a pretty good management tool in certain applications.
Nov 14, 2014
Leo Nguyen
PETA = People Eat The Animals..go PETA on you? Yep..we love eating them. LOL
Nov 14, 2014
Rod Herington
Now don't go all PETA on me, LOL! I know exactly what you mean, but it's really not sad.... I'm of the opinion it's a mistake to tag human thoughts, feelings, and emotions onto wildlife or even our pets. They're not even close to being human. In all fairness we really don't know what's going on in Flat Alberts pea brain. The good Lord wired them completely different and as the good book says "God gave man dominion over them." I don't know that from just going to Sunday school. I have experienced it, as most of us have.
So don't fret over Albert. I guarantee you, he is not worried a bit about not having a mate. In fact I think it's more likely that ole Albert is probably laying there looking up at you thinking about food. I'm sure he saying to himself "I wouldn't mind choking this guy down who visits me often. I'm just wishing I was little bigger, he was little smaller & I had the opportunity" Of course you might have to move around and act a little a like a fish, LOL
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
Well, I'm not speaking in reference to what Albert may or may not be feeling, but in regards to myself. Compassion, in whatever form, in my mind runs hand in hand with being a good steward of the environment.I was raised in an outdoor family, have hunted, fished, and trapped since I was a kid, and was taught to respect the outdoors and the creatures that live in such. I'm not about to quit using live bait.....but I also think that having a sense of compassion for the animals I interact with serves me well. I never want to get to the point where I look at them as simply organic objects, put here for my exploitation.
To me, it's about life, and the respect for such. I don't worry about Albert in the least. But I do find it kind of sad that the circle of life that was intended for him to fulfill will never come to pass. Even if he doesn't feel that way. I suppose that's one more thing that separates me from him....compassion.
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
He's a fish, we're not.
It'd be a huge mistake to pair him with a female. That's a given.
For controlling population, he's ideal. Probably eats his weight in fish every two weeks.
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
But, he's a fish, we're not.
It'd be a huge mistake to pair him with a female. That's a given.
For controlling population, though, he's ideal. Probably eats his weight in fish every two weeks.
Nov 14, 2014
Rod Herington
Tony, that's a good point . I Agree completely my friend. I knew what you were saying. I was just making conversation with a little joking. I just wish more people felt as we do. Nothing wrong with compassion and respect. Very important!
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
I agree Rod. I also wish compassion and respect for nature were more prevalent these days. All we can do is to try and lead by example, I suppose. I'm glad to know that there are others who feel as I do!
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
It's all good guys! Keep after me, and keep sharing your thoughts. I've had my eyes opened more than once by what I've learned on this forum. Nobody knows it all, most certainly not me. Not even close. If we continue to share with each other, we'll all come out better for it. And "all" includes me.
Thanks for being a part of this site!
Nov 14, 2014
Rod Herington
PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals! lol
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Tony sure does know what he's talking about . I'm mostly self taught and didn't have a lot of guidance from a family interested in fishing ,so I poke and hope a lot .Lol
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Yes Rod , Leo is the funniest guy here in my estimation ,also one of the smartest!
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
I wish I had Leo's brain! Part philosopher, part comedian.....part technical genius, part mad scientist...... he's got all the bases covered!!
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
lol an expression I've used for fishing ,billiards and learning guitar .All my guitar students have heard me say it over and over throught the years ",Don't poke and hope , slow down and hear what you want to do "
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Tony , if I had Leos brain it would malfunction .Very happy to be who I am ,but Leo is to be admired for sure!
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
The poor thing would shrivel up from disuse in my head, clogged with all the cobwebs and dust.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
ha ha you are as funny as Leo ! You sell yourself short in jest though . Ah the hell with it we're all great ! lol
Nov 14, 2014
carl hendrix
speaking of Leo;; LOL;; Tony;; your right buddy!! part mad scientist;; comedian; and a computer whiz!! thankfully we have him here!! personally I owe Leo a LOT!! THANKS LEO !!!!!!!!!!
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Who here has caught Bheads in every month of the calendar?
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Cant wait for Leo's response .What ya wanna bet he gets hilarious on us?
Nov 14, 2014
carl hendrix
not me John!!
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
"Who here has caught Bheads in every month of the calendar?"
Not I, said the guy who was NOT Leo..
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
If I had a copy of an MRI scan of Leo's brain, I would totally plaster it over top of my sunfish identification poster.
And if he autographed it.....well.....
Nov 14, 2014
Rod Herington
John, about your comments on not having caught any White Bullheads or "White Cats". You're in great White Cat country. I hear Spruce Run Reservoir is infested with them? If it's not that far from you? You ought to make a quick trip up there and help them with some population control.
If you ever make it up to Maine? Try the Kennebec River. I've read the Kennebec is loaded with them. There is one, or two resorts up that way offering White Catfish trips.
Nov 14, 2014
Leo Nguyen
..This is Leo's voicemail..Please, leave a message..
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
One VERY memorable BH from a local pond, though, has had me hooked for life.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
I I've caught them every month from august to December and one through the ice in Feb 2010. I think it can be done without too much trouble .
Nov 14, 2014
Leo Nguyen
Now now..my brain is too hopped up on caffeine and stresses to be salvaged and used by anyone. Y'all have plenty of craziness in your life. Taking my insanity into your own life will merely cause you to have panic attack, lost of consciousness, and of course, create confusion and chaos among yourself.
However, if the brain happens to remain in this self-contained apparatus I called an aging body, you're more than welcome to hook it up to a chair (possibly solar powered electric), and grab as much info as you want. As Carl the "Certified Crazy Person" would say, "Glad to give and enjoy a little life we have with everyone.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Yes Carl , he is very ,helpful , thoughtful and encouraging .Tony have you seen Bheads come thru the ice .The one I saw took a fathead minnow on a tipup.
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
I don't see why they couldn't be taken year round. I've caught many Channel catfish through the ice, and I would be willing to bet that bullies can be just as aggressive in the cold water.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
What'd I tell you guys! You crack me up Leo!
Nov 14, 2014
carl hendrix
hey Leo;; your learning how to talk redneck buddy! I knew I would get you to !!! hahahahhahahahhah
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Thanks Rod! How big do those White Cats get (you referrer to them as Bullheads ! ) I gotta look them up and learn more .
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Channels thru the ice is something I'd like to do Tony .How big of a bait /what kind of bait .Let me guess ,a tip up shiner , a cut chunk?
Nov 14, 2014
Leo Nguyen
Been hanging around you too long Carl ;-) LOL As Tony indicated, cats are year round, and all day. So far, I've observed the behaviors of the cats, thanks to the boys and girls from Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as the local anglers, they're literally active year round, 24/7, regardless of the temperature condition.
When food sources are available in abundant, they will only seek food when needed. When the food sources are scarce, they will hunt, regardless of the hour of the day, nor the season. They will be slow moving in the colder (less than 48°F), and hotter (more than 96°..yep..some California waters can get that hot between Sept and Oct) periods. Dissolved oxygen can be as low as 2ppm, and they still move about like active hungry lions on the hunt.
Nov 14, 2014
Rod Herington
Yea White Cats are in the Bullhead family Amerius. They are the kings of the Bullhead family. I call them the "Great White Bullhead" because they share the same demarcation pattern that White Sharks display There are a total of 7 types. The White,Black,Brown,Yellow, Snail, Flat, and the Spotted Bullhead. They can top 10 pounds or better. I think the average is around 1-3 pounds, but I hear 4 and 5 pound fish are not that uncommon.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Good info Leo .
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
John, I wish I could give you a better answer, but every Channel I've ever pulled through the ice has been an accidental catch. I've never targeted them purposefully, but instead have had them hit ice jigs while fishing for bluegills or crappies. Usually tipped with spikes or maggots.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
Thanks again Rod!
Snail, Flat and Spotted Bheads are a mystery to me .I 've only caught Yellows and Browns but Blacks are in waters nearby I understand . 'Big White Bullhead " , something to look for in the waters 'round here !
Nov 14, 2014
Leo Nguyen
Tony, it wasn't accidental nor chanced catches. You actually fulfilled two critiera:
1. Available food source.
2. It's fresh, alive, and moving. By the way, fresh and alive, while drown, spikes/maggots do release a chemical compounds that cull/request help from the friendly neighbors (other spikes).
We have infestation of maggots at time during early summer to late fall. Our dogs are know for taking out field mice and pests that enter upon our property. Of course, a few days away without taking care of the small yard, where the 3 dogs have their marking, can cause quite a bit of interesting eco-system development, including high level of maggots. When we try to clean the dead bodies full of spikes around the yard, or the compost bin in the past, we notice they scatter from ground zero where the threat occur. However, if there's any maggot near by the fleeing body, the neighboring maggot immediately follow the fleeing one. Chemical communication just like the ants. Once they found a good spot to hide, they huddle up into a giant ball (dog pile).
So, next time, before putting/exchanging a maggot onto the hook, stir the pot a little. Give a good 2 to 3 minutes before grabbing one. That way, there is plenty of chemical coating all over the lucky victim, and the future victim. Flight or fight chemical is generated constantly. So, the more got coated onto them, the better.
If you're using worms, waxworms, and mealworms, you got yourself some great live arsenal. Unfortunately, I don't see anything similar for crickets. Sorry cricket users.
Nov 14, 2014
John Sheehan
No problem Tony!.My best channel Cat ( 12 lbs,30 " ) was an incidental catch . Took a tiny worm on an oversized hook for trout that I was fishing for .Went bass fishing and found there was an unannounced surplus stocking of Trout and I didn't have my trout gear .The sloshing around of the released hatchery truck trout called the Big Cat into investigate, I'm thinking . The 2nd best Channel Cat was a 29" 10 # Cat that took a chunk of Hotdog on a #1 hook Me and Art Cole targeted and did well on those channel Cats that night . They were all between 4-10# and we caught about six if I recall correctly . I chummed wet catfood and started catching a 1/2 hour after throwing it out on a spoon .
Nov 14, 2014
Tony Livingston
Mmmmm....maggot secretions. I can hear the fish licking their lips already.
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
However......I haven't seen the Walleye fingerlings since I stocked them last year. Could be due to Albert, but could be the nature of the eyes' also."
Experiment time! Move old Albert to one of the other ponds and let's see what happens.
Nov 14, 2014
David, aka, "McScruff"
Try as I might to target them, I've failed. But let me put a worm on the bottom in hopes of a shellcracker - and a whisker fish is likely to show up.
Nov 14, 2014
Slip Sinker
Nice article from InFisherman on ice fishing channel cats
http://www.in-fisherman.com/ice-fishing/ice-fishing-catfish/
Nov 14, 2014
Jim Gronaw
We usually target cats 6-8 times a year from local, small lake venues where we know there are some fish in the system. I have only caught 5 this year, my son got three and my bro-in-law has done very well catching 16, most from 5 to 8 pounds...all released. Most caught on bobbers with some kind of bait and several caught on liver sacs using European bite-alarm strategy. Best fish of the year was Matt's sensational 32 incher that we estimated at 13 to 14 pounds...
Nov 14, 2014
Jason Preslar
Nov 15, 2014
John Sheehan
Great Cats Jim!! Ken, Thanks for the In Fisherman article .I know a lake and spot I'd like to try channel Cat ice fishing .
Nov 15, 2014