brawley and surrounding areas

[island joe]

Howdy everyone. I recently discovered this site after a 24 hour turn around to Brawley. I've done pretty good on average size cats, but no monsters. Can anyone give me any tips on techniques for catching flat heads. I would really like to know how.

[daystarchis]

Welcome Chris to the BOC:wink: I ma in Fresno, so not much help from me, but there will be help coming your way I am sure. Stick around and make yourself at home:wink:

[rrssmith]

Robb is correct just wait and see,and welcome to the BOC

[Catpaw]

Chris welcome to the BOC ...I'am out here in central cali so i can't give you no advice.. But welcome to the Boc :cool2:

[bluehunter]

Welcome to the BOC. Lots of flathead guys here. There is a gathering happening this weekend in Blythe that is all about a good time and flathead fishing. Also there is a flathead derby coming up on the 20th of June that team760 and I are hosting. Whatever you want just ask it. We know many areas and know the right gear thats required. Basically its simple as to the hooks, weight, line, reel, and rods. Flatheads are the strongest cats in American fresh water and you will want the gear that can hold up for the battle. MEdium action to heavy action rod. 30-50 pound mono or little more, braided line even for heavy structure or tunnel fishing in drains. 7/0 - 10/0 hooks in J's, circles, and kahles. Bluegill, Tilapia, and goldfish. 3 ounce to 6 ounce sinkers - no roll prefered, and swivels will get you on your way to getting a flathead. Imperial valley waters all the way to the Colorado River and its canals will give you what you want. Just hit em up and you are set or meet up with some of the bros and they will get you on deck. there are many more besides myself that will chime in their welcomes and knowledge as well so stay tuned for more. Try to make some of the events as well and you will learn.

[island joe]

Thanks. I'm standing by and waiting to fish.

[island joe]

Thanks bluehunter. I've never fished with gfish, or tilapia. Do I rig fixed or do I want the bait or sinker to slide?

[bluehunter]

You want it to slide. Carolina rigg is best. Use the sinlkers with the hole in it like the no roll sinkers or a sliding egg sinker.

[desertcatrat]

joe i fished out that way last week and did well on flats to 20lbs brian is right there is some good water to fish anythingg with a mud bank and preferably some structure like tulis trees snags drain pipes ets i did well on the slow water just off the main current in the snags i sugest no less than 30 lb test i fish 50 basically just follow what bluehunter saidhes the man i used goldfish but any live bluegill or tilapia works well even cut plugs can work many who fish down that way warn to be careful if you are goin to eat any fish somw of the waters are bad i know from the boc guys that the new river is a no go on eatin or water contact be careful there i guess the closer you can get to the colorado the safer you are i am about an hour away and am up for a missin just about anytime hope i halped a little ther is a lot of good guys to point you in the right direction

[island joe]

Thanks.

[plumbertom1]

Welcome to the BOC, Chris

[dhines]

many who fish down that way warn to be careful if you are goin to eat any fish somw of the waters are bad i know from the boc guys that the new river is a no go on eatin or water contact be careful there i guess the closer you can get to the colorado the safer you are
regarding water quality there are basically three kinds of canals in the imperial valley . . .

1) source canals that come off the colorado river -- all fish from these are perfectly safe. infact, much of this water becomes drinking water for southern california. examples: AAC, central main, east highline, etc

2) canal / rivers which are fed solely from US farms -- these are safe to fish, but i wouldn't consume fish from these sources. alamo river is one of these. an easy way to determine if a canal is a source or exit canal . . . just follow it on google earth to its source. if the canal doesn't point back to the AAC, it is most likely from US farms.

3) rivers / canals with mexican source -- as far as i know, the only river / canal that meets this criteria is the new river. bottom line, this river is the main sewer system for mexicali mexico. my mother in law lives close to this river (in mexico) and it is so bad over there that the mexican government put it in a pipe and stuck it underground. never come near this river as it is very dangerous and filled with many unknown pollutants from mexican business, mexican farm runoff with US illegal chemicals, and tons of human waste . . . then add to that US farm runoff.

hope this helps.

btw, welcome to BOC

[Snagged2]

Hi Chris, Welcome to the BOC..
You can go to the library on the site, and browse around with rigs, bait, tackle, etc..
Main thing, is just get a line in the water!!

[azcataholic]

Welcome to the BOC Chris, You will get some catfish answers here. Warning, fishing for flatheads is addicting, at least you can go on the site and talk with fisherman, and women who have the same problem.:smile2:Once again welcome to the Brotherhood.

[island joe]

Obviously there is alot of talent in the BOC and I apreciate any sugestions you may have. Unfortunatley I can't fish everyday (I would if I could), and Brawley is a 3 1/2 hour drive. My plan of attack is base out of Brawley. Fish the East Highland above Calipatria, fish the AAC / 8, and some of the feeder canals in Brawley. Also fish anything that looks good.

[island joe]

In regards to using g-fish or gills, back hook them or ?

[bluehunter]

Back hook them. Lower back.

[island joe]

Most of my cat fishing has been in the farm canals. Do flat cats ever get in those? Do you use a carolina rig in the tubes under the road?

[bluehunter]

Most of my cat fishing has been in the farm canals. Do flat cats ever get in those? Do you use a carolina rig in the tubes under the road?

Yes they are in the farm canals. As far as the IV area I know the Alamo has them. We caugt a baby flat from I believe theTamarack. They are in a few others too I do not know them by name though as I am new to that area myself, so some of the IV vets can speak on that.

I can speak of the tubes under the rd and drain ditches for the Blythe area. From what I hear they use either a flyline rigg - no weight - or a split shot to go thru the tubes like the drain ditches. Personally I have not done that yet as it can be a little rugged for me, however I do plan to do that a few times, just to satisfy the adventurer in me. But a long as there are flats hitting on the main canals and the river I will fish those spots. I hear those kind of fishing is best in early spring anyways. Jaq has experience on that kind of fishing and he can speak better for that. As far as the pipes for the IV - I have no knowledge on that. I just know if you fish pass the drops in a lot of those canals including the ACC that is where a lot of the flats like to hang out at.

[island joe]

Thanks for the info. Last week I was at English and ? maybe Pond, above Calipatria, fishing a hole about 20 X 20. In less than an hour we had 10 c cats and 8 carp. Additionaly we had 10-15 small ones. Good fishing for 4:oo PM.

[CatMan(Cali)]

Welcome to BOC. Can't give you any flathead info I am still a rookie at catching flats.

[daystarchis]

Welcome to BOC. Can't give you any flathead info I am still a rookie at catching flats.

You won't be a rookie much longer. I just know you'll catch a nice flat:wink:

[mangles]

Howdy everyone. I recently discovered this site after a 24 hour turn around to Brawley. I've done pretty good on average size cats, but no monsters. Can anyone give me any tips on techniques for catching flat heads. I would really like to know how.
I am new to the site, but have been venturing for flats in the imperial valley. Ihave been fishing the alamo mainly, but have found that talapia is the way to go. So far this season I have caught several, with my pb at 20+. I use a 4-6 oz weight with a 2ft leader tied to a sinker slider with a swivel tied to a 1ft6in leader tied to an 8/0 strait shank hook and it seems to work well. I usally start at the bridge near red hill rd and garst and work my way down the river from there. If you use google earth you can work down the river to find some open spots that are accessable to fish. If you need more info, let me know

[daystarchis]

I am new to the site, but have been venturing for flats in the imperial valley. Ihave been fishing the alamo mainly, but have found that talapia is the way to go. So far this season I have caught several, with my pb at 20+. I use a 4-6 oz weight with a 2ft leader tied to a sinker slider with a swivel tied to a 1ft6in leader tied to an 8/0 strait shank hook and it seems to work well. I usally start at the bridge near red hill rd and garst and work my way down the river from there. If you use google earth you can work down the river to find some open spots that are accessable to fish. If you need more info, let me know

Welcome to the BOC Chad:wink:

[CatMan(Cali)]

Welcome to BOC Chad. We will all be meeting up in Blythe at the Mayflower campground this weekend for a little flattin.

[mangles]

Welcome to BOC Chad. We will all be meeting up in Blythe at the Mayflower campground this weekend for a little flattin.
Would love to go, but already made plans to go to the imperial valley from the 6th to the 15th, but appreciate the invite

[dhines]

I am new to the site, but have been venturing for flats in the imperial valley. Ihave been fishing the alamo mainly, but have found that talapia is the way to go. So far this season I have caught several, with my pb at 20+. I use a 4-6 oz weight with a 2ft leader tied to a sinker slider with a swivel tied to a 1ft6in leader tied to an 8/0 strait shank hook and it seems to work well. I usally start at the bridge near red hill rd and garst and work my way down the river from there. If you use google earth you can work down the river to find some open spots that are accessable to fish. If you need more info, let me know
are talapia legal in the alamo?

[plumbertom1]

(c) Tilapia may be used in the Salton Sea, and may be taken for bait only within the area bounded by Highway 111 on the north and east and Highway 86 on the west and south (except as in subsection (d) below.
(d) Tilapia may be taken and used for bait in the Colorado River and its associated backwaters only within the area bounded by Palo Verde Diversion Dam south to the Morelos Dam.

[Catpaw]

Chad welcome to the BOC..It's a great place with lot's of great people and info here.

[dhines]

(c) Tilapia may be used in the Salton Sea, and may be taken for bait only within the area bounded by Highway 111 on the north and east and Highway 86 on the west and south (except as in subsection (d) below.
(d) Tilapia may be taken and used for bait in the Colorado River and its associated backwaters only within the area bounded by Palo Verde Diversion Dam south to the Morelos Dam.
thats what i thought . . . so in other words, talipia is a no-no in the alamo.

[plumbertom1]

thats what i thought . . . so in other words, talipia is a no-no in the alamo.
That would be the way I read it.

[jagdoctor1]

Hey plumbertom.. is that from the CA regulations? It looks like what I read when I read the CA regs. He's in AZ isn't he? I may be wrong but I thought the Alamo was in AZ. Of course the regs could be the same over there. I've never looked at the AZ regs.

[desertcatrat]

chrus the alamo is in ca it may start briefly in az
if im not mistaken it comes off the all american canal and journes to the salton sea as far as i know its all ca

[desertcatrat]

also the alamo passes under hwy 111 at calipatria flowing west to the salton sea
so it is between hwy111 and salton sea
the guys i talked to in calipat said they use tilapia in tha alamo and the big canals in that area
i do not know the legality of that
next time down there i will ask my buddy at the bait store in calipat ,he is very knowledgeable on the waters down there

[mangles]

They say the legality is that you can only use talapia if is caught out of the sea itself. Im not sure why that is, since they are so abundant, but who knows? This is just what I have heard but everyone that I know, even the regulars, use this bait every time they fish the alamo. I am interested to hear what desertcatrats local friend say, please keep us informed. Thanks

[bluehunter]

Yes Mangles that was brought to my attention by the DFG but I believe it can be used in certain areas according to the regulations adjacent or close to the Salton Sea. There sure is a lot of Tilapia around there though wayyy abundant. Nice size ones too perfect for bait.

[mangles]

Yes Mangles that was brought to my attention by the DFG but I believe it can be used in certain areas according to the regulations adjacent or close to the Salton Sea. There sure is a lot of Tilapia around there though wayyy abundant. Nice size ones too perfect for bait.
For bait, and some nice ones to eat as well lol

[dhines]

one thing that i have never been sure of . . . when they are talking about using tilapia as bait, are they referring to live bait only? for example, what if a person bought tilapia from the store and used it as cut bait in the AAC . . . is that illegal?

[jagdoctor1]

Hey Mangles.. the reason alot of those rules say that you can only use bait caught from that water is to try to keep people from spreading diseases and parasites between bodies of water. One body of water may have fish immune to a disease that may devastate another body of water. I think our carp regs say they can only be caught on location as opposed to the same body of water. Not sure.

[mangles]

Hey Mangles.. the reason alot of those rules say that you can only use bait caught from that water is to try to keep people from spreading diseases and parasites between bodies of water. One body of water may have fish immune to a disease that may devastate another body of water. I think our carp regs say they can only be caught on location as opposed to the same body of water. Not sure.
thanks for bringing that to my attention, it makes sense. But quite a few of the canals that i catch my talapia in drain into the river so that is mainly why I don't have a problem with it. The river also drains into the sea, which is loaded with talapia, so I am sure some of them end up stream.

[bluehunter]

one thing that i have never been sure of . . . when they are talking about using tilapia as bait, are they referring to live bait only? for example, what if a person bought tilapia from the store and used it as cut bait in the AAC . . . is that illegal?

The cut bait also applies to what you can use. Ther DFG do not know if its store brought or caught from the body of water you are fishing but if its not allowed it applies to all.

Example years ago around 2001 when I first started to fish San Vicente I would keep trout guts and heads that I would catch from Sarl or Irvine and use them for bait. Sarl use to be killer on trout guts and they use to even advertise trout guts worked well for cats but its a private lake. I took trout to San V and left it out on my cutting board like I was cutting mac. I was approached by staff and told not to use trout even the ones from another lake or the store because they stocked trout at that time and they were gamefish. I could have been ticketed but they just warned me about that fact. Even the guts...

[desertcatrat]

mangles, i am goin down to a r on fri nite i have g fish but i do know of a few spots for gills, i do not know if they are sanctioned but i believe they are not
where on the a r is your spoit , dwn at the bottom by red hill or up by weist and further, i know a few areas i have looked at
i will be down all wkend so if you are in the area pm me n i will give u a call
i will check into the tilapia situ w the peaople i know down there
i talked to one local who uses them,older cat, but i did not get into detail w him
fri nite ,watch out

[dhines]

The cut bait also applies to what you can use. Ther DFG do not know if its store brought or caught from the body of water you are fishing but if its not allowed it applies to all.

Example years ago around 2001 when I first started to fish San Vicente I would keep trout guts and heads that I would catch from Sarl or Irvine and use them for bait. Sarl use to be killer on trout guts and they use to even advertise trout guts worked well for cats but its a private lake. I took trout to San V and left it out on my cutting board like I was cutting mac. I was approached by staff and told not to use trout even the ones from another lake or the store because they stocked trout at that time and they were gamefish. I could have been ticketed but they just warned me about that fact. Even the guts...

good point . . . i always took for granted that store bought was exempt, but you are right . . . how are they to know.

[island joe]

Looks like you guys had fun at Blythe. I got back from my excursion at the IV, and developed the plaque. As for the fishing, found a hand full of ok fish no flats. Did mostly recon. Some good blue gill spots on cannals at the highline cannal. Also talked to the care taker at red hill on tilapia spots and he says go to black rock marina.

Bugs were bad

Lastly I learned that skunks swim.

[dhines]

Lastly I learned that skunks swim.
is there a good story attached to this lesson?

:wink:

[island joe]

Luckily not. Only a close observation. It was too wet to raise his tail. It sure be a stinky story to tell though. Imagine trying to net the big only to find a mad skunk, or something along that line. Too many puns.
Good fishing everyone. I have to work this weekend.

[mangles]

would have loved to get together, but i left to fish on the 6th and just came home today. how was your trip? Mine was good, no big ones but caught 24 flats to 12lb10 oz and missed quite a few runs, but had a good time. I kept three to eat and released the rest. My buddies son caught his first at 4lb6oz and second at 11lb 10 oz. I am thinking of going next month so if you want to get together just let me know and we can set up a date.
mangles, i am goin down to a r on fri nite i have g fish but i do know of a few spots for gills, i do not know if they are sanctioned but i believe they are not
where on the a r is your spoit , dwn at the bottom by red hill or up by weist and further, i know a few areas i have looked at
i will be down all wkend so if you are in the area pm me n i will give u a call
i will check into the tilapia situ w the peaople i know down there
i talked to one local who uses them,older cat, but i did not get into detail w him
fri nite ,watch out

[desertcatrat]

got back last nite from iv, i fished solo which is freaky sometimes whan your out in the stix, fri nite fished alamo around drop 3 and up behind weist caught 5 or 6 to ten lbs ,then at about midnite i got a run that burned the line off my reel, so i pick it up , turn off clicker and lettin him do his thing but he wasnt stoppin till he hit the salton sea, so i ease my thumb onto the spool to feel what kind of power this fish had, hes runnin cross and down river, so (i use circles) i throw this baby(quantum clw20, no weak reel mind you) into gear and crank down and he didnt even stop, he just kept peeling and about 5 seconds later... POP,BINK,SNAP!!! let me just say one thing, if u feel u should retie a knot or leader, do it, i had caught 4 fish on this 40lb leader and i said i would retie next fish, my leader was broke about an inch up from the hook, tough lesson but i knew better.
so sat i ran around iv from seeley to holtville and every where in between ,found a few drains lost two fish in there, but found many bait holes, and i had more good bait for sat nite than 4 people could have used
all day sat i couldnt stop thinkin bout"the one that got away", so i went back to that spot sat nite and caught 5 or so to 8lbs and then i got my new pb, 27lbs! i was hootin n hollerin all by my lonesome out ther i was so happy when i put that guy on the digital, it was tough , i fishied down a 15 ft rock n sabd bank that was TREACHEROUSalmost killed myself and then he didnt want to get in the net, so i yelled at him"get in the net!!"
he surrendered. wish i could have shared that with a boc bro or even if they got him
so i dragged him up a cliff and got a few pics on my timer, not the best as i have not mastered that yet, he has some sand on him which sucks for fotos but ill get better
i did a lot of prospecting and have a good bearing on upper iv spots
if i hadnt read brian (bluehunters)thread on his iv hodown i probably wouldnt have fished it, also, important note to those who fish the alamo, i saw signs out off rutherford road that said do not enter water it is polluted, so take it how u want it but i can verify that, that is the lower end, or upper depending on how u look at it, towards the salton sea
27lbs cat rat out
ps my attempt to upload fotos failed, any help
is the file too big ,what should i do?

[island joe]

Good Job. Sure better than my wet skunk story. I might be going down on the 22nd. How bad were the bugs?

[desertcatrat]

no bugs or skeeters, just those green gnats , no biters
did see a scorpion, i had a nice breeze all nite off the sea
always be prepared though

[bluehunter]

Man that is awesome. Great job on the pb. Sorry bout that one u could not stop. I had happen to me before too a few times at that for flats and blues. Glad to hodown on the IV sparked your interest. I am glad I went there because I found a new place for flats without driving all the way to Blythe. I still love Blythe but it always pays to venture elsewhere sometimes.

I will be at the alamo when schools out maybe in a few weeks. I have some filming I want to do in the area plus get that flat that snapped your line. Lol. That is what keeps us coming back. Have to lose some to get some. IVflat lunker seeker out!

[desertcatrat]

true true, i still think about that one, thats the first time that i was like"whoa"
where iwas at was snag central, not bushes imean full on trees and logs in the current all over the place
like i said im an hour from iv
tryin to get pics up , gues i have to resize , i do not konow how but im gonna try, i will put up new album cuz i have pics of spots too

[bluehunter]

true true, i still think about that one, thats the first time that i was like"whoa"
where iwas at was snag central, not bushes imean full on trees and logs in the current all over the place
like i said im an hour from iv
tryin to get pics up , gues i have to resize , i do not konow how but im gonna try, i will put up new album cuz i have pics of spots too

Yea that is what the flats like though. Find those spots and you will find those flats. Sounds like a spot for braided line.

[torment_hack]

That would be fishing in the alamo for ya haha..i use 80lb power pro and ive been broken off plenty of times...There are some monsters in there..Recently pulled a near 40lber for the tournament and a 55lber last year

[desertcatrat]

Yea that is what the flats like though. Find those spots and you will find those flats. Sounds like a spot for braided line.
i agree they are tuff in there, braid is not a bad idea but i wonder,
i can break 50# mono off, 80# braid is just stuck , if ur snagged ur snagged most of the time, am i wrong, there always is the chance u can pull it through,
but i have not felt like any of the snags i have been on would have come out any differently if i had braid
any where else, id probably go swimmin after it if i felt it was a monster
to torment: there are MONSTERS in that muddy ol river, that is flat out custom built smash down an dirty sick ol flathead water
1st trip ,one nite-10 flats to 20, 2nd trip-2 days 15 or so to 27, if u seek the almighty flat it shall be given unto you, hard work pays off

[bluehunter]

Yea I found that out last tournament about the hoggs. Some participants showed me pictures of 60 pounders and 70 pounds for that river for flats. The All American is good as well for the flats in the IV too. Just some good fishing overall on that area period.

[mangles]

i agree they are tuff in there, braid is not a bad idea but i wonder,
i can break 50# mono off, 80# braid is just stuck , if ur snagged ur snagged most of the time, am i wrong, there always is the chance u can pull it through,
but i have not felt like any of the snags i have been on would have come out any differently if i had braid
any where else, id probably go swimmin after it if i felt it was a monster
to torment: there are MONSTERS in that muddy ol river, that is flat out custom built smash down an dirty sick ol flathead water
1st trip ,one nite-10 flats to 20, 2nd trip-2 days 15 or so to 27, if u seek the almighty flat it shall be given unto you, hard work pays off
Amen, you have to put the time and effort, read the articals, books and do the driving and searching and the cat gods will pay you.....eventually.

[bluehunter]

Hey Mangles I been there and done that with jumping in the water and going after a big flat a few times on the palo verde canal. The only thing that worries me about the alamo is the thought of getting in polluted water in some stretches. I dont think its a problem for the AAC but just wondering if it is at all plausibe to do that in the Alamo. I guess if you are in the heat of the moment and you know its a bad mother F the adrenaline will take over and you would just hop on in. Definitely would not do that on the New River though, but then again I would not even fish it.

[desertcatrat]

blue i wouldnt fish the new as good as it looks if it was the last river out there
i think the aac and highlin ok but th eend of alamo, even thuogh i saw signs , next time i will snap a foto, but go look at where it goes under rutherford
i might if it was a bad mofo ,sometimes the reward is worth the risk
the challange is knowing what risks are worth the rewards

[mangles]

Hey Mangles I been there and done that with jumping in the water and going after a big flat a few times on the palo verde canal. The only thing that worries me about the alamo is the thought of getting in polluted water in some stretches. I dont think its a problem for the AAC but just wondering if it is at all plausibe to do that in the Alamo. I guess if you are in the heat of the moment and you know its a bad mother F the adrenaline will take over and you would just hop on in. Definitely would not do that on the New River though, but then again I would not even fish it.
To tell you the truth, there are so many snags in that river, and with the heavy current it would most certainly be death if you went into that river. The only pollution that is in that river, that i know of is DDT which is a pesticide that was banned in the 90's, 1992 I believe. Other than that I would stay away from eating any large fish, get some weight take a pic and let her go, but the small flats that i ate this past week were super tasty and wouldn't hesitate on eating them in the future. I thought about fishing the new river because no one probably fishes it, but who knows what you will pull up might be the fish Blinky from the simpsons haha

[desertcatrat]

could be a body

[mangles]

could be a body
you never know in there, could be

[bluehunter]

I will keep that in mind about the snaggs. I may sneak in a trip next week there in check it out. I am about so have so much free time I do not know what to do with myself. LOL. Too bad there is no summer school due to the budget. Last day of work is on Monday until after Labor day. Will be a lot of Magic Johnson gym days, venice beach walking, Reggae spot goings - plus some added fishing in between. :big_smile: I know I will hit the IV quite a few times during this off time. May venture up north for a day or so too and hit down south for a 3 week or so time. Man what to do. LOL.

[mangles]

I will keep that in mind about the snaggs. I may sneak in a trip next week there in check it out. I am about so have so much free time I do not know what to do with myself. LOL. Too bad there is no summer school due to the budget. Last day of work is on Monday until after Labor day. Will be a lot of Magic Johnson gym days, venice beach walking, Reggae spot goings - plus some added fishing in between. :big_smile: I know I will hit the IV quite a few times during this off time. May venture up north for a day or so too and hit down south for a 3 week or so time. Man what to do. LOL.
Sounds like you are going to have my kind of schedule. Any ways if you need a partner down there hit me up.

[bluehunter]

Hey Mangles we have to make it happen. I will hit you up in the next week or so to make a plan. Plus we are also thinking about having another IV event in August so we will see whats up. Been doing a lot of events so far for the 09 so looking to bring it to an end soon and get into some other things. No more than 2 for the remainder of the year likely.

[mangles]

Hey Mangles we have to make it happen. I will hit you up in the next week or so to make a plan. Plus we are also thinking about having another IV event in August so we will see whats up. Been doing a lot of events so far for the 09 so looking to bring it to an end soon and get into some other things. No more than 2 for the remainder of the year likely.
I'm down. Wish I could make it to the event, but Julies bday is the 22nd so i dont want to be in the dog house if you know what i mean.

[bluehunter]

Definitely don't want to be in the dogg house so I understand. It should be pretty good this weekend we got the peeps, the permits, and hopefully the flatheads to follow. The August event will likely be early to mid aug. We have not come up with a date yet will think about it over the weekend or next. We had a good time at the last IV and with the turnout of flats we had i sure we will have a better turnout for this one likely especially with the locals. Other than that we can swing a few trips real soon i will hit you up likely hitting the area after 4th of julu and maybe before depending on the benjamins in my pocket.

[desertcatrat]

i think igot my pics set to post from last weekend in imperial vally
i was alone so the pics are not best, i tried w the timer
so thats my new pb 27# all sandy from draggin him up the bank, which is bascally a cliff
and a pic of the spot, there are so many snags in this water its rediculous64452

64453

64454

[desertcatrat]

heres a few of the spot and other fish from trip64455

64456

64457
thanx mangles

[bluehunter]

Nice. I will be in that area real soon. Maybe next week or something.

[mangles]

i think igot my pics set to post from last weekend in imperial vally
i was alone so the pics are not best, i tried w the timer
so thats my new pb 27# all sandy from draggin him up the bank, which is bascally a cliff
and a pic of the spot, there are so many snags in this water its rediculous64452

64453

64454
Right on it worked sweeeet

[desertcatrat]

hit me up, i might just be down there

[CatMan(Cali)]

heres a few of the spot and other fish from trip64455

64456

64457
thanx mangles
Congrats bro! You're gonna end up pumping me up and having me back down there pretty quick. Does the AmTrak go to Palm Springs? How was the weather? I can't wait to get back down there.

[island joe]

Brian have you tried the cannal that is before the coachela cannal?

[desertcatrat]

east highline?

[island joe]

Ya the east highland. Any good?

[desertcatrat]

i had a look during the day and soaked a few baits for an hour or so and yeah it looks good
lots of weeds in the first 15 feet out, water is movin quick
i would recomend 8oz or more of lead
less you can find slow water, i know of big flats out of there and access is great
i prefer the snags and such of the alamo, but im sure u can do well in the canal
water is clear, there are a few diversions and siphons which i would look to fish, anything with structure or obstructions
the bottom seems sandy, give it a go at nite and you should do well
with that current make sure u have good bait
i know several good bait spots out that way,
where i looked was from holtville up to calipatria

[desertcatrat]

catmann, the trak does come to palm springs
you just say the word and ill get you to some flatttin waters
im pumped on imperial valley
i kill it out there
now i just hope i get back before blue gets the one that snapped me off.lol
weather:hot for the next 6 months,hot hot

[bluehunter]

Congrats bro! You're gonna end up pumping me up and having me back down there pretty quick. Does the AmTrak go to Palm Springs? How was the weather? I can't wait to get back down there.

Now that is a good looking spot there. Gotta love the flathead zones. It goes to show that you dont always need a boat to get into some nice flats.

[desertcatrat]

you refering to the pics blue?

[bluehunter]

you refering to the pics blue?

Yes the one in between those bushes looks like some goos vegetation flows along the wall of the banks. Kind of what I like.

[Ecfool]

Ya know guys I am a local here (50+ years) and I swear isn’t anyway in hell you will ever catch me fishing in Alamo or especially New River, literally way to much crap in New River and Alamo still has very high concentrations of prior to being banned nasty pesticides (IE: DDT) and other farm runoff chemicals. Is your health worth the fish? Even from incidental contact with water and mud from bottom or bank, really ask your self is it worth it.
Now as for feeder canals (IE: All American, Central Main, East Highline, West Side Main or Coachella Main) really good fishing in there. Went out last Saturday night, did not have time to catch any Bluegill so just fished sticky nasty smelling stinko bait, and managed to get a 12lb, 8lb, 6lb and four other smaller Channel Cats from East Highline. This was just fishing from bout 8pm to 1AM so fishing is good. I have also pulled decent sized flatheads from all the above-mentioned canals as well as from smaller laterals. In addition, best part is any fish you catch in main canals are dahhhmmmmed fine eatin. Nothing like big ole helping of fried Cfish n smashed taters with cornbread.

[desertcatrat]

i have put some miles in exploring that river b, a lot of areas have a main current and overhang trees and bushes that have a slower flow
i like the off current, also lots of tree trunks and logs stuck in the water
i use 20-50 gear and haven't had too much trouble
yhats the heaviest i have w/o goin military
u gotta look at maps and take off on dirt roads ,out of the pressure zone
i haven't seen too many people flattin out that wy
i try to get off the path do to say, i think thats the best chance of gettin quality fish, but they are in common spots too
thats where i got the 27

[desertcatrat]

i know of the ddt in alamo, i dont fish the new
thanx for input ,but i only catch and release
is the mud any worse than what is in the air, or our foods
im not worried about incidental contact, i dont bathe in it

[bluehunter]

That was one of my concerns fishing the Alamo. Really though my plan was to release those fish anyway. As far as the AAC,I know they have pig flats too from the results of the last event. The cats from that area as well as the highland will be the ones for the table fare for me likely.

[Ecfool]

I will admit in my younger dumber days I used to float hunt the Alamo as well as New river for ducks but that was a good 30+ years ago and it was actually polluted then as well just we were too naive to know better.
By the way, I did drive by when you had last tournament HQ in Westmoreland but ole lady didn’t want to get out of car as we were on trip to Modesto and I really wanted to stop and at least meet you all and see how ppl did fishing. I have fished this area all my life and still don’t know all the tricks or really good spots but never give up and very seldom get skunked and mostly fish Catfish and strippers.

[Catpaw]

Earl you should of made a early post that you and the wife where heading to modesto me and my son could of meet the both of you and bought you two dinner.

[Ecfool]

Thanks may take you up on offer next time we head that way she has familly that lives in Oakdale so we drive up there bout 4 times a year.

[Catpaw]

Thanks may take you up on offer next time we head that way she has familly that lives in Oakdale so we drive up there bout 4 times a year.
Feel free to to send a im when your heading this way again i live in merced county but my son lives in modesto with his mom so i'am always there and we know alot of great place's to have dinner or lunch at/

[bluehunter]

i have put some miles in exploring that river b, a lot of areas have a main current and overhang trees and bushes that have a slower flow
i like the off current, also lots of tree trunks and logs stuck in the water
i use 20-50 gear and haven't had too much trouble
yhats the heaviest i have w/o goin military
u gotta look at maps and take off on dirt roads ,out of the pressure zone
i haven't seen too many people flattin out that wy
i try to get off the path do to say, i think thats the best chance of gettin quality fish, but they are in common spots too
thats where i got the 27

I like the off current too. Slack water off of the current is exactly what I look for especially in the main river. Its the area that holds the most bait and is the area where the flats go to get their munch on. Find an area like that with lots of structure and you will have yourself a honey hole. You can also catch somke bait in some of those area too. I done that on tha palo verde canal a few times. Same places where i picked up some gills was the same places that had some exploding flats come night time.

[bluehunter]

I will admit in my younger dumber days I used to float hunt the Alamo as well as New river for ducks but that was a good 30+ years ago and it was actually polluted then as well just we were too naive to know better.
By the way, I did drive by when you had last tournament HQ in Westmoreland but ole lady didn’t want to get out of car as we were on trip to Modesto and I really wanted to stop and at least meet you all and see how ppl did fishing. I have fished this area all my life and still don’t know all the tricks or really good spots but never give up and very seldom get skunked and mostly fish Catfish and strippers.

Thanks. Would have loved to have met you. We had a lot of people show up for that one I was surprised. With the exception of the unfortunate incident everything went well. We are actually thinking about doing another one in August. Maybe if you are able you can make that one. Same location likely and same details as last.

[island joe]

Bluehunter keep that tourne 2 weeks away from dove opener and I'll be there. By the way have you checked out the brawley inn? They have a fish cleaning table.

[bluehunter]

Bluehunter keep that tourne 2 weeks away from dove opener and I'll be there. By the way have you checked out the brawley inn? They have a fish cleaning table.

Never been to the Brawley inn but maybe will look into it as a place to stay on day while I am out there. I will be that up about the Dove opener that will likely make a difference in the amount who are willing to go.

[desertcatrat]

Thanks. Would have loved to have met you. We had a lot of people show up for that one I was surprised. With the exception of the unfortunate incident everything went well. We are actually thinking about doing another one in August. Maybe if you are able you can make that one. Same location likely and same details as last.
b iam very interested in doing the tourneys, how can i get the info
i am a for sure in august iv, what else u got cookin
the cat rat is on a mission

[bluehunter]

Thanks B.

I have a West Coast Cat Masters thread here on the BOC under the tournaments section. I post the information there. I also have the web page for that as well under same name where I post info too. Would love to have you in the derbies. I been doing that now for about 6 years having events they are getting bigger now.

[island joe]

wow its great to be off the black berry and on the lap top.
regarding dove opener, its september 1 and the prices at the hotels almost double.

[CatMan(Cali)]

catmann, the trak does come to palm springs
you just say the word and ill get you to some flatttin waters
im pumped on imperial valley
i kill it out there
now i just hope i get back before blue gets the one that snapped me off.lol
weather:hot for the next 6 months,hot hot
Cool, I will look into the AmTrak fees. If you can pick me up I will help out with food, bait, water, gas, etc. I would love to hit up the IV for a night or two. I can deal with the heat as long as I have some cold water and a couple cold brews. I'm determined to catch a nice flat with my spinning rod.:smile2:

[desertcatrat]

u probly dont remeber b but i met u last year at oxbow, sept or aug, i was out bassin for a few days and met reese and his buddy, iwent to the weigh in at the boat launch and that guy won w a 27 lb flat, that was the beginning of the end for me, i still love bassin but when i saw that flattie and pics in wheelies of bigger and found out i could catch them locally, i was on a mission, fished my whole life so i just changed gears
i have all the neccesities to make my trips comfy, and i think ican make a sjhowing in a tourney, im in
so yeah, i have a siver lifted dodge ram and came to thew weigh in at oxbow boat launch, that kid caught a nice channel too, was it 9lbs?
so ,expect to see me at the next tourney
sean, make it happen u have my number, u know i have all the gear and set up, just get here, ill pick u up and well go hit iv, we're gonna get u on a nice flat

[bluehunter]

That was around August at Oxbow for the Canal Expeditions. That fish was released back into the water.


Look forward to seeing you at the next one. Especially for the IV you stand a chance of winning that one with the skills you have of the area. But we seem to have some guys that always gets 30's to 40's so it should be a good one. I will likely fish the Alamo for that one. If you plan to release your catch which I am sure you will for the Alamo keep that fish alive in a cooler or well if you have one and bring it to the location - likely in El Centro and release it back into the same river you caught it from or area. We had some guys do that last time while others kept theres but the DFG will likely be out there observing and will give tickets to those that do otherwise. That is why they were on duty to make sure they were kept and that others who wanted them to be released take them back to spot of where they caught it. We will be fishing a wide range of area to cover those canals so people will be coming from every canal around that area with catches for flats and channels. Should be on and cracking again for that one.

B

:big_smile:

[mangles]

That was around August at Oxbow for the Canal Expeditions. That fish was released back into the water.


Look forward to seeing you at the next one. Especially for the IV you stand a chance of winning that one with the skills you have of the area. But we seem to have some guys that always gets 30's to 40's so it should be a good one. I will likely fish the Alamo for that one. If you plan to release your catch which I am sure you will for the Alamo keep that fish alive in a cooler or well if you have one and bring it to the location - likely in El Centro and release it back into the same river you caught it from or area. We had some guys do that last time while others kept theres but the DFG will likely be out there observing and will give tickets to those that do otherwise. That is why they were on duty to make sure they were kept and that others who wanted them to be released take them back to spot of where they caught it. We will be fishing a wide range of area to cover those canals so people will be coming from every canal around that area with catches for flats and channels. Should be on and cracking again for that one.

B

:big_smile:
You know I am going to be out there, and maybe this time I will win some cash. I am glad you guys had a good time at the tournament cant wait to see those pictures.