[RizonHero]

I live in the Denver Metro area and I've recently become extremely addicted to cat fishing. For the past two or so years I've been fishing at some close by ponds and lakes but the biggest catfish I've managed to catch was maybe 2 and a half pounds. So I was wondering if anyone could give any tips on locations or baits or anything like that to catch some bigger sized catfish. BTW I release all the fish I catch.
Thanks

 

[slayerfish]

The denver zoo?

 

[Grumpie.]

Sloans lake

 

[tl1000r]

granby

 

[tailchaser]

White River and Kenney Reservoir near Rangely.

 

[bobys]

Been addicted to catfishing for 2 years and biggest fish is 2 1/2 lbs ?? Anyways, most bodies of water in CO have catfish in them. They are stocked everywhere, and not frequently fished for. Therefore, at least most of the larger bodies of water have a population of very big catfish. Those fish aren't going to eat the baits that the 2 1/2 lbers you've caught are eating though...

 

[Grumpie.]

Been addicted to catfishing for 2 years and biggest fish is 2 1/2 lbs ?? Anyways, most bodies of water in CO have catfish in them. They are stocked everywhere, and not frequently fished for. Therefore, at least most of the larger bodies of water have a population of very big catfish. Those fish aren't going to eat the baits that the 2 1/2 lbers you've caught are eating though...

Beg to differ. Ive fish small baits at night and caught plenty of nice ones... ive almost broke the 15lb mark but not yet. If i was targeting massive catfish id be using live bait for sure. That big sow is going to just laugh at your chicken liver. Both of these came on ring bologna.

 

[RizonHero]

Been addicted to catfishing for 2 years and biggest fish is 2 1/2 lbs ?? Anyways, most bodies of water in CO have catfish in them. They are stocked everywhere, and not frequently fished for. Therefore, at least most of the larger bodies of water have a population of very big catfish. Those fish aren't going to eat the baits that the 2 1/2 lbers you've caught are eating though...

Yeah I know 2 and a half pounds is pretty sad, but I've only seem to have been able to catch them out of small ponds and every time I've tried a bigger body of water I haven't had much luck. But I'll try and get back out there and try some new baits. Thanks for the tips

 

[RizonHero]

Beg to differ. Ive fish small baits at night and caught plenty of nice ones... ive almost broke the 15lb mark but not yet. If i was targeting massive catfish id be using live bait for sure. That big sow is going to just laugh at your chicken liver. Both of these came on ring bologna.

Those fish are monsters compared to anything I've caught. Did you catch those out of a reservoir or something like that?

 

[bobys]

Beg to differ. Ive fish small baits at night and caught plenty of nice ones... ive almost broke the 15lb mark but not yet. If i was targeting massive catfish id be using live bait for sure. That big sow is going to just laugh at your chicken liver. Both of these came on ring bologna.

I agree big cats will eat small baits occasionaly, but that isn't the way to target them. Plus you waste time with smaller fish. I prefer cutbait, big pieces of it

 

[Grumpie.]

Keep a fork in your backpack. Violently stab the gill till it looks like hangabur meat. Hook it in the face and send it out.

 

[Grumpie.]

Those fish are monsters compared to anything I've caught. Did you catch those out of a reservoir or something like that?

Local lakes in town yes. You have to entice the barbels! I generally give a quick rub or scratch to them before release.

 

[dallasdb]

Keep a fork in your backpack. Violently stab the gill till it looks like hangabur meat. Hook it in the face and send it out.

 

[mogul buster]

The biggest cat I caught in Colorado was around 28 lbs....she came from a public pond about 5 acres in size.....she ate fresh cut bluegill. My biggest on liver is around 12 lbs. Always try to make time to catch bait from the water you're fishing......net shad....catch gills or carp.

 

[kirbydog]

I've heard it helps if you sing to them. No rough stuff, more like nursery rhymes.

 

[dallasdb]

Always try to make time to catch bait from the water you're fishing......net shad....catch gills or carp.

Would fresh cut bait work better than cut bait that you allow to get a little rot/stench to it?

Any tips on using/cutting cut bait?

I threw out a fresh trout head on my extra rod a few times but never got anything.

 

[Grumpie.]

Would fresh cut bait work better than cut bait that you allow to get a little rot/stench to it?

Any tips on using/cutting cut bait?

I threw out a fresh trout head on my extra rod a few times but never got anything.

They never want the same it seems like. Last year the best bait for me was hotdogs. This year i havent even had a bump on it. Suckermeat and cutbait has been best so far this year. I usually wrap my baits in either spawn sacs or pantyhose so if i do get a run or a powerhouse cast i dont have to worry about it coming off. Heard a guy say vienna sausage works but i think a natural scent will typically have the best results. Sloans lake is aways fun. Ive had 30 cat nights but nothin over like 13". People say not to run tight lines for cats or carp. You can if you carolina rig and not reel in one it hits the bottom. Gives them about two feet but by then they have felt the hook and are leaving the scene. Maybe i need to show you how its done.

 

[golden rod]

Would fresh cut bait work better than cut bait that you allow to get a little rot/stench to it?

Any tips on using/cutting cut bait?

I threw out a fresh trout head on my extra rod a few times but never got anything.

That's illegal, Bud.

 

[dallasdb]

That's illegal, Bud.

Just looked it up. Looks like I was in the wrong.

I believe this is what you were referencing:

The only species allowed to be taken and used
for consumption or used as bait (either alive or
dead) by fishing, seining, netting, trapping or
dipping are minnows, bluegill, hybrid bluegill,
carp, sunfish, gizzard shad, sculpin, white and
longnose suckers, yellow perch and rainbow
smelt. Statewide bag limits apply to sunfish,
bluegill, hybrid bluegills and yellow perch.

The two times I did it, sweet corn wasn't working and I happened to just clean a trout that went belly up. Figured instead of wasting the head I'd throw it out on an octopus hook. Won't do that again

 

[bobys]

LOL Dallas, I was gonna comment the same thing when I read your comment To answer your cutbait question, I absolutely prefer fresh cutbait vs old freezer kept bait. However, the freezer stuff can get the job done just fine. If I'm using bluegill as bait I will either cut in half, or slice there stomach open and leave the whole thing on there. Fresh blood is crack to catfish