Noodling for Catfish in Oklahoma

[NoodlingOkie]

Who all out there hand fishes??:confused:

[catmanofohio]

I live in ohio where it is illegal to go grabbing, but imma try it later on this summer, my uncle and cousin went about 5 times and got about 400lbs and let about 100 lbs go back lol

[catmanofohio]

:) Btw i didnt mean i was gonna try it here in ohio where it is Illegal lol

[mtrimble]

Right here buddy. Probably my most cherished activity. I noodle rivers and tributaries mostly. I started a thread on noodling awhile back. You should check it out.

[NoodlingOkie]

Yea, I'm down in Altus. 5 Minutes from the Red River. My buddy and I go noodling almost everyday in the summer. Last summer, we probably caught at least 800 to 1000 pounds of catfish!!;) Pretty freaking awesome, biggest one we caught was a 78 pound flatty, that was scary.

[NCvacationer]

Have you ever been injured? I've heard horror stories about snapping turtles and other undesirable surprises.

[NoodlingOkie]

Nah, not really, just the occasional barb stick, which burns for a while. If you get into big fish, their sandpaper like teeth will play hell on your forearm. One of my friends, got his skin torn off, from the upper bicep to the hand, from the flathead rolling in his hole. Never been bit by a turtle, or got into a beaver. Knock on wood. Where I go there arent that many turtles or beavers. Where i usually go you can catch 30 fish in about 45 minutes. It is an all clay river bottom with two channels on both sides that are about 4 to 5 foot deep with holes all along the channels.

[skeetermagnet]

You know, I'll do a lot of things which I consider brave. Like eat a sandwich from the cooler at Texaco or tell my wife that yes that dress does make her look fat. But there is no way I'm doing that! You guys have some serious guts!

I've been invited several times but I've never gone. I like to watch guys noodle, though. It is absolutely amazing that 1)they can get so close to big fish, and 2) they can get them out of there with their hands.

[mtrimble]

Same here Ive never been injured but I have gotten sick from swimming around in water with a pig carcass in it. This particular creek is like red chocolate water. I saw what looked to be a sack hanging from a stick. I swam over to it and poked it with my stick and it was a freakin' pigs gut. That was about the nastiest thing ive ever experienced and I got sick as heck.

I always hold a stick out in front of me as I swim. Most of the water I swim in is completely red. Re-bar is the devil in the water. That stick tactic I use has saved me from getting gored by re-bar and metal crap in the water on a few occassions.

Losing some skin to those flatheads is a small price to pay for the ultimate joy of noodling. I think channel and blue cats have a much sharper bite. One channel cat last year would bite just the very tip of my fingers like a mouse trap or something. The male channels turn into a completely different fish when they are holed up. There heads gets really swollen up and they are just plain mean. Of course its illegal to keep channels and blues by noodling them so I always put them back in their holes and usually they go right back in there.

Just a word to fellow noodlers: try and return the females.
They take alot longer to mature than males (about 7-10 years!) and as the females grow larger their egg production doubles and triples. You can roughly tell them apart cause' they are the stubbier of the two. They have a larger girth for their size. The males are longer and a bit narrower. I love noodling so much that I hope we will always have that right and ability here in this state. Returning the females and ultra-top-dog males will help.

Man we need to lobby the state to start stocking flatheads!
I think it should be our state fish.

-Matt

Wow I cannot wait till May!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NoodlingOkie]

Yea, mtrimble, we need to hook up this summer or something, make a day or two out of it. You ever noodled at night?? its really scary, but a rush. I go almost everyday in the summer starting in late april. When they start to spawn. Blues hurt the worst, they bite so hard. Those are the only ones that really hurt, some male channels can get ya, but you gotta watch out for the Blue's, especially the pissed off females.

[mtrimble]

Hey Logan.
Are you down in the south? Id like to try some of the streams down there. Ive noodled a little in the blue river but didnt have much luck. I know the streams fairly well up here.

[mtrimble]

Those blues really are their own catfish. If you said your in the Red River that is blue country down there. I come by one every once in awhile here in the cimmarron river but I dont think there as many as in the Red. Imagine noodling one of those big big blues at night. I dont know if I would mess with that (but I probably would). Ive noodled into the night on a few occassions but it was because i was occupied with a big one that hard to get. It does get quite a bit creepier at night.

[NoodlingOkie]

Yea man, I know what your talking about. There are some really good sized blues, which of course I don't "Keep". Yes, I'm down 5 minutes from the salt fork and 15 from the North fork of the Red River. Me and my buddy are gonna start noodling Tom Steed, a Lake 30 minutes away from Altus. The banks are rock lined so hopefully they'll be in there. In the red you don't noodle many channels, but Blues and Flattys are king. Maybe a carp or two once in awhile. That is weird, noodling a carp, or a sand bass. Yea good stuff.There are so many holes, my friend has a awesome bass pond 5 minutes away from a good spot on the river, we go catch about 20 to 30 small to medium size largemouths and put them on a trotline and do that every morning and nite.

[mtrimble]

Here is a pick of a bite mark left by the biggest flathead Ive noodled. Those bite burns sting pretty good when you put alcohol on them. check out my leg. i was pretty proud of that.

[mtrimble]

ok I figured out the attach thing

[catmanofohio]

:) Wow how big was that fish? It bit ur leg? what a whopper

[NoodlingOkie]

Every bite stings for a couple of hours, especially if your are noodling in really dirty water.

[mtrimble]

That particular fish was probably around sixty or so lbs. I dont know beause I never weighed it. Thats just judging by other fish that I have weighed and his size compared to him. This fish was too far back under this red slab of rock for my arm. So I put my leg in there in an attemp to scoop him close enough for me to get a grip on him. That mad him pretty mad to say the least. He basically had his own under-water cave. He fought me and my cousin off for quite awhile. It was a small opening but huge inside. The red rock skinned my arm up pretty good also. I took a picture of that bite because it shows the outine of his teeth pads really well. Im six foot tall so that may give you guys a better idea of his size.

[NoodlingOkie]

Man, Thats pretty harsh! That 78 pound flathead tore up my buddy's arm bad. His whole arm up to a little bit past his elbow was a scab for a few weeks.

[catfishinfordman]

I have never gone noodleling but would like to go once not even to noodle. But to watch at first. After seeing it up close I would then consider trying it.

[AwShucks]

I believe the state wildlife department is aware of the situation with the flathead. That is one of the reasons why, about 10 years ago, they put the size restrictions on Flatheads. It takes them about 7 years just to get to a spawning size and the hungry okies were about to deplete them. Once I understood the problem is when I started to CPR the catfish. Still do, and reckon I always will.

[jlingle]

Hey there NoodlinOkie,

I betcha I can name the place where you guys noodle. Heehee hee. I've caught a truckload out of those 2 channels myself, if it's the place I'm thinking of. PM me and we'll discuss it. BTW, I live in Altus too.

[sem21]

I Would Like To Know When To Start This Year Since We Had The Warmest Winter Ever. I Would Think Early To Mid April

[wynn2wynn]

Hey Everyone,

I am working on a project about noodling. It is apart of a larger project that my professor is heading up concerning Oklahoma folkways (to be used for the upcoming Oklahoma Centennial). I'm looking for any individual who noodles, who would like to contribute to my project on what noodling means to them. I'm interested in any and every aspect on noodling that you would be willing to share, and pictures or short video clips of you or someone you know noodling. I have a short questionare that I could email to you. If you are interested, please private message me and I'll give more details. Thanks so much and happy noodling!
;) wynn2wynn

[caatstalker]

great thread guys, used to noodle as a teen in deep fork around bristow /depew aria , glad to know it is alive .an all is well in okla. keep it going !!

[mtrimble]

Megan,

Id like to help but unfortunately im reluctant to do anything that helps popularize noodling or makes it look glamorous. I kind of believe that if someone wants to noodle they need to be serious about catfish already. Due to all the recent press and movies about noodling there are many dudes out there giving it a go who dont know anything. They just like the "extreme" aspect of it. I think this could be dangerous for the fish and the people.

[catfishcrazyjr]

i would relly like to go but i aint got a clue how to start but i am looking for a master noodler that needs a good apprentice how bout it!

[odominioncatter]

Hey Mtrimble,

Saw your pic on the "mark of the beast" and wanted to add one of ours. Our friend Blain went with us 2 years ago and got the katfish kiss so to speak. Enjoy the pic and wear jeans for Lords sake. Hope this pic works.

[Lil Hooker]

I just saw a tv show on noodling it was called Okie Noodling these guys where going pretty far down these holes. Some of them where talking about getting bit by snakes and beavers. I think I'll stick to the rod and reel they said it was only legal like in 4 states LA, OK, MI and I forgot the last one. I've been wanting to do some diving in the local rivers but just to get a better idea of the layout not to get bit. Did anyone else see that show?

[mtrimble]

Your on the Oklahoma thread buddy. Most of us live here. They played that show many times on our local PBS. Snakes and other animals wont bother you. Watch out for metal and rotten animals floating in the water. Actually your biggest threat is being lodged under a rock or something heavy while under the water. The threat from wildlife is overblown in my opinion. Your more likely to get sick, gored or drowned than beat up by some animal (other than a catfish.)

[mtrimble]

Yea thats a nice one. Looks like it might burn a bit at night. It would be cool to see some other injuries from noodling, too. Anyone have anymore noodling injury pics?

[catfishcrazyjr]

no but i shure like to get a few !

[NoodlingOkie]

Jeremy where are you living in Oklahoma??

[Rajun_Cajun]

i here of guys noodling some local rivers here in kansas

[catfishcrazyjr]

i am in midwest city but i will drive as far as i got to, to get me hand chewed up!! lol

[TeamPunishment]

I have noodled anything big but just a few, didnt get to go like I wanted to last year, but its definetly gonna be happening a bunch this year

[NoodlingOkie]

Well man, I'm in Altus. It's like 2 hours from OKC. I live 5 minutes from where I noodle. My buddy and I go just about everyday in the summer.

[TeamPunishment]

well boys, we finally got some rain around here and finally got our lake back above normal and creeks and rivers flowing... and we only have about two weeks left til noodling season starts!

[caatstalker]

u kid have at it . sometime i will tell u a snake story about the deepfork. pix is at the bristow rangersstation . it was in the bristow paper too. about 15 yr ago. 98lb cotton mouth bit a friend of mine he is singing hemynols . at the big place in the sky now. true story folks largest w.m. ever cought in okla. out of a hole we noodiled when i was about u age. after he got bit they dinimited the hole an got the snake . we used to go there with all the men in church on sat. an stay all day we would put a net across river , go up stream about 1/2 mile with another net we would walk abrest pocking fish out of holes with long sticks they would follow ui down . at about 100ft apart we would start grabbing the fish, big fish fry . next sat.

[mtrimble]

Thats a big snake! Im a bit too far west for those cotton mouths. Got diamond back water snakes around here. They're mean but not poisonous. Ive come across a couple cotton mouths out south east but never had trouble with them.

[NoodlingOkie]

down here there a a lot of water moccasins.

[rivrbunny]

Tonite at 9pm on OETA Okie Noodling will be shown. Thought all you noodlers might like to watch since it is a little cool to get in the water just yet.

[TeamPunishment]

thank you very much for informing us of that... I have been wanting to see it again for a long time

[Shane_Falcon]

Hey bro this is making me ready to go noodlein again it is really a rush even when you are watching and helping out when we are catching the big ones in the river.

I remember when we saw that pig it wasent a pretty site. lol cleo just wanted to roll around in it, im glad we didn't let her.

[mtrimble]

Typical dog behavior stink is like fine perfume to her. She is a darn good noodling dog though.

[catfishcrazyjr]

is it time to go yet?

[bowfin]

I will never put my hand in a hole to get a cat

[mtrimble]

Im going to noodle Arcadia Lake this week. I noodle and release. Ill keep you guys posted and take some picks if I can manage a camera.

[Shane_Falcon]

I cant wait. bro

[catfishcrazyjr]

lets go i dont know how but i am ready to learn

[bartmccollum]

I've got two perfect noodling spots in Mayes County near Pryor but I don't have anyone to help me. Anybody ever make out this way?

[Flatheadhunter33]

Heck no!!! The closest I ever came was one of my buddies payed me to reach into a box and pick up a huge camel spider while I was Iraq. I picked it up and that thing moved faster than I react and ran up my arm and down my flight suit! Every laughed their butts off while I danced around trying to get that thing off me!

[catfishcrazyjr]

just give me a meet site and me and my brother are on are way!

[PRITCHETTK]

I live in Salina

[kccats]

Gotta tell ya, sticking yours hands in holes in the water is something that I have no desire to do, or even understand why someone else would do it.

[MAN12]

NoodlingOkie (http://www.catfish1.com/forums/member.php?u=4458) http://www.catfish1.com/forums/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif vbmenu_register("postmenu_155844", true); I also live and Altus and would like to go out and watch and learn how noodling is done. Email me at guzmark@yahoo.com

[katcatchingfool]

skeeter im with you on this one lol

[catfishcrazyjr]

has any1 done any good?

[catfishcrazyjr]

guess not! i am still hard at it but still aint got bit, really dont know what i am doin but still tryin like hell, lol any help or advice wold be great thanx

[FishMan]

and on this very boars almost weekly someone will ask the following question.

What has happened to all the big fish.

[HuntinforCats]

You guys are crazy

[mr. flathead]

im a noodler myself i live out at erick oklahoma. my old buddies moved so i havnt been in a while. any other noodlers out in my area. i know a good place where we used to go over by altus.

[hangemhorns]

i am a beginner went out for the first time and ot a 47.5 and 25lber...

[mtrimble]

Well the fish have left their nests. I been trying to run them down under brushpiles. I had my hands on 6 different catfish yesterday that I found under brush, logs and what not. Non spawn noodling is kind of a different game. It is alot harder. Not to mention the snakes are more active in the warm water. Anyone noodle in the off season? I think Im going to keep at it till the water is too cold.

[nathan king]

went sat the water is way down and hot we covered alot of river between north and south fork found some good holes but no kickers,, caught alot of flats from 2 to 6lbs man they were just piled up in some wholes and even pulled a few 3lb channels out threw them back but it was fun i havent noodled in a lot of years and it sure brought back the memories anyone in the vernon tx area altus ok area give me a shout if you know of any spots or need a hand i'll gladly go with

[rivrbunny]

It is alot of fun-this was my 1st year to try noodling. It is exciting even if you don't get any. It is soooo hot it is fun just to go swimming in the river. Good luck on your next trip.

[WOOD18]

Hey I Am From Mangum. Me An Jlingle Go Sometimes Down South Of Altus. We Usually Just Bank Fish But Sometimes We Get In. Is There Any Water Up By Erick? Not Much Down Here.
NATHAN WE'LL HAVE TO GET TOGETHER AND TRY OUR LUCK WHERE DO YOU PREFER TO GO, NORTH OR SOUTH OF THE RED.

[nathan king]

doesnt matter to me like i said its been along time since i went and when i went last week it just rekindled the flame so just holler and if its not too far we'll meet up and go.

[WOOD18]

Hey This Is Off Of The Forum Topic But The Blues And Channells Are Biting At Lugert. Went A Couple Of Times This Week And Caught Some Pretty Good Channells There Were Some Guys Around Us That Caught 15lbs Blues. We Are Probally Going Nex Monday Or Tuesday.

[Cutshad]

Hey Matt, Caught two out of the N. Canadian last Sat. Small, 8 and 12..good luck.

[nathan king]

well i noticed the water is on the rise. my father-in-law crossed it the other day and said it was bank to bank praise the Lord for the rain anywho plans have already been made to hit the red in 2 weeks give it time to fall some again unless we keep getting rain kind of hard to travel the river when it full lol but i'll keep up to date when we go.

[aggie80]

I'm new here. I live in Texas but have always wanted to try noodling. I travel to Oklahoma City and Tulsa on business.
Is there anyone out there that would want to take a "newbie" out noodling?
Or maybe a guide?

[winston61]

deliberate destruction of a natural resource.

[mtrimble]

That is a mean thing to say winston. Id say your ignorant of noodling. It ain't easy and it is alot of work. You wouldn't say it is not a sport after you've dodged a few snakes and got tore up by a big cat. You learn more about cats, how they live, what they like and how they act by noodling than any other type of fishing. Many noodlers catch and release also.

[mtrimble]

Just curious if any of you guys noodle other types of fish other than cats?

Ive ran a couple of longnose gar down before. Chased around a few carp spawning in the shallows. Just wondering about other species that are conducive to hand fishing.

[papasfishing]

yeah babey,thought i was one of the few crazies left!!!!!

[papasfishing]

forall who's SKEERED,if you cant take the heat stay out of the water,no hook no bait no problem

[baptistpreach]

I'd love to do it some time! I personally get annoyed by guys who dog noodling and call it wasting resources:angry:. Just what is it that happens when guys use trotlines or jugs? Or when they are fishing with 6 rods and reels at a time? It is the desire of fisherman to catch fish! Just because someone does it in a way you don't like, give a little respect.:wink: And by they way, if you want to bass fish while they are bedding, I guess that that is your right as well!

[South Grand Laker]

there's nothing wrong with noodling, it's a natural god given art, any native has noodled to provide fish for their family's, and alot of animals noodle to, but anyways, i love to catch fish rod n reel, but also love getting my knuckles a little bloody from time to time, but i really love trying to keep a big ole blue in hole from busting out from all the rocks on you and the clamp down i love that feeling

[papasfishing]

NO HOOK NO BAIT NO PROBLEM!!!!!!!! MAY AN JUNE WILL BE BACK SOOOOOON!!!!!!!

[AwShucks]

There always seems to be some bad sentiments on the board against noodlers. Part of it is because we have a perception of not being sportsmen. We pay the same fees for license, the same taxes on equipment, and enjoy the outdoors as do the pole fisherman, the trot lines, the jug liner, but we are the ones to get black eyes. Part of that is our own fault...we need to police ourselves. Don't keep a fish, throw it in the bed of the truck to brag about, and then discard it in the bar ditch. If you love to noodle, make sure you leave some resources there for your kids to noodle.

[Katmandeux]

A couple of years ago, several of us were bank fishing here behind my house. A couple of noodlers came down river, and checked out the rocks right where our lines were.

I've never wished for a cherry bomb so much in all my life. I hate 'em.

[channelkatman]

i do a little bit here in kansas

[scott_2o]

Im all for noodlers and their choice of fishing but I would like to se some regulations specific to noodling. maybe some slot limits or even a specific season to help protect some of the big females. How would some of you feel about this?

[South Grand Laker]

i'd say all for it , woudn't make a diffrence on my lake. there's hardly anyone that catches on rod and reel flatheads as it is, or worth talking about, the only good flatheads come from noodling, and their's only about a handful of real noodlers on grand lake left