Loup River Canal

[catfishjohn54]

I heard a rumor there's really good catfishing at the confluences of the Loup River and the canal, in Columbus. Anyone fish there before?

[subcook]

Are u talking bout the tail race outside of columbus? there is good fishing there when u can find the right spot. fished it once but I mainly fish around monroe and the headworks outside fullerton. but lately I've been catching small channels and drums but hopefully I find tem again soon I plan on trying out the tail race soon but gotta find time with the wife expecting and work. hope this lil bit helps

[catfishjohn54]

Yes, the tailrace. Is it a strrong curewent there? Is there easy access to the place? Exactly where is the tailrace?

Congrats in advance on the expected baby!

[Dkaup]

there is usually alot of people there. it has some easy access spots but you have to get there early to get the spot.

[fmb]

I have never fished that area but me and a buddy have talked about it many times...just like you I don't know where the access is...I will be fishing the canal this friday but not that far down, probally around monroe and work our way back to headworks......and as far as the current goes you'll probally want your no roll sinkers......let me know how it goes

[bownero]

I've fished the Loup Power Canal by Monroe and Genoa, because of hearing about the big Flatheads living there. Everybody should know the State Record Flathead was pulled out of there. 80lbs and change if my memory serves me correctly! I went with a couple of buddies and felt blindfolded not knowing the area, but had fun anyhow. This was a few years back. Didn't catch anything either. I remember the water had a very strong current. I agree with Frank on the NO-Roll sinker issue. Probably go with at least 5-8 oz. Not sure if the current flucuates that much or not.

Mark..

[catfishjohn54]

Thanks for all of the responses, guys. I had a feeling it would be a popular sight. I am not sure I want to have to squeeze in to get a spot. I did that crap in Oregon with the salmon fishing. It got pretty silly. I usually hiked upriver and found my own fish. I think I may stick around Lincoln, or make a big trip to Kansas for some good blue cat fishing.

[fmb]

me and my son got out to headworks last nite........I think the flatheads are to busy to mess around with my bait but we got some channels....and it turned out to be all channel nite on the canal.....

[Dkaup]

hey fmb, you using live bait or cut bait

[fmb]

both....:wink: hey I'm gonna be out at the canal TOMORROW all day...my bro in law is headed this way from hastings for an all day flathead quest....ANY TAKERS ?????:cool2: see ya there

[bownero]

Nice cats Frank! Looks like the kids has a big Ol' smile on the face!! That's awesome!! Congrats to you and the boys!!

[skawez]

id say them are some nice cats!! aint nothin like having a nite when the good ones are biting with the kids out .. gets them all charged up and makes a great memory!!!!

[flathead_hunter]

looks a good time... i like the 84ish mustang in the back round even better:wink:

[fmb]

well my bro in law and his 2 sons made it out this way....we were at headworks about 6:30am and fished till 4pm......well they got skunked....and I think the flatties are just to busy right now....I got 2 flatheads about 2lbs each.....both were caught on cut bullhead in DEEP water.......

[bownero]

Hey Frank!! Just a suggestion!! Might want to try the night bite and see what happens!! I would give that place a try around 9-12midnight and maybe hit it at 4:00am-6:00am in the morning! That might be some good times to slam a big-gun!! Congrats on your successful trip and hope to see ya at Calamus in a week!!:big_smile:

with the warmer temps now, I've had the best success at night now!!

Later bro!!

[fmb]

Well me and the family were going to harlan for the 4th but wife got called into work this morning.....so now were just gonna stay close to home and hit the canal again....I got a good vibe about tonite,taking the bbq,fireworks the hole nine yards....should be a great time....flathead quest 09' continues

[catfishjohn54]

lemme know how you did!

[fmb]

no fish not even a bite......but we had a perfect view of genoa's fireworks show so it still turned out to be a good time

[subcook]

me and da wife hit up the tail race last night fished from 4pm till 5 am and we used gill, crawlers, livers, and large cheek chub. we had a lot of bites but they just killed the bait and left them. u only need between 5 and 8oz of weight depending on the time of day really we caught 3 channels the whole time. 2 under a pound by an once or 2 and one 2 or 3 pounder but other then that a slow day over all.

[fmb]

yea it's slowed down alot out there.....I'm gonna take a week off and just bait fish to pass the time...

[subcook]

I think that I'm going to try tonight and see what happen's but I might go to sherman and try the inlet area but I don't know yet. I gotta catch some bait for tonight if I go haven't made up my mind yet but I need to make it up quick and get started

[fmb]

well let me know if you go out.....I got bait , I just need a spot where they are bitting

[fmb]

headed out to headworks now......I got enuff bait to go around so maybe we'll see ya there.....

[subcook]

I was planning on heading out but the wife is upset and throwing one of her fits so I'll have to wait till tomorrow or sumthing. good luck hope they are biting better then the last few nights. u might wanna try the tail race northeast of colubus they were hitting my bait pretty good but the only thing I caught a few small ones.
let me know how u do

[fmb]

I fished the canal last nite.....I got 2 channels and 1 flathead(not a keeper)....all fish were caught on cut bluegills...

[subcook]

when u use cut bills how do u cut hem like in half or what? I've only tried cutting them in hale and using the 2 half's and I get little luck if any. but I hit the tail rece monday night and had a few bites but nothing big just a few bait sized channels nothing more. but I'm thinking bout going again in a week or 2 I'll let u know when I'm planiing on heading out to c if u wanna go or what ever. I usually fisn above the water rejoining teh river and one line in the rushing water but that's usually get my fish but I gotta get more 5 and 8 ounce wieghts so.

[fmb]

yea let me know when your gonna head out there....I don't live too far away so I can make it anytime....

with out sounding like an a-hole , everytime I cut bait it seems too be different...but I usually have a pretty BIG chunk....

[fmb]

Well my son and I got out to the canal tonite.. Pretty slow nite...I had a HUGE bite I'm talking glow stick was in the grass kinda bite...well by the time I got over to it there was slack so I figured it was gone...Nope reeled in and there he was..and he was not happy...I was:smile2:

[Dkaup]

nice fish. If anybody is interested there is a fishing torney on the canel next weekend. 2 man teams. If you want in let me know and i can give the number to call to get entered....

[fmb]

nice fish. If anybody is interested there is a fishing torney on the canel next weekend. 2 man teams. If you want in let me know and i can give the number to call to get entered....

ohh yea any info you have you should post here...what part of the canal is it at?????

[sattv]

Nice catch......What did it take?

[fmb]

Nice catch......What did it take?

I got em off a whole sunfish 4 or 5 inches

[Dkaup]

Fishing starts 7:30 pm Friday ends 9:00 am on sunday
valid fishing license
must follow all ngpc regs
between highway 81 bridge and highway 39 siphon
any species of cats
15 alive fish at weigh in per team
prizes for top 3 and heaviest fish
weigh in sunday 9:30-10:30 sunday
both teammates present for weigh ins.
fish fry following weighins

ROD and REEL only

[fmb]

well I just touched bases with Craig....It's a $50.00 donation for a 2 man team...Meeting at the Monroe power station on friday...2 poles per person...sounds like a good time....

Count me in.......

[sattv]

All my gear is at the mighty mo......But I want to go hit the canal BAD:sad2:

[sattv]

Anyone hittin the canal tonight?:smile2:

[fmb]

yea me and my son probally unless something better comes up

[subcook]

I'm thinking about taking the family down to the canal or the tail race for a lil camping trip but I don't know which one for sure yet but it will probly be the tail race. I just gotta get sum bait when I get off work and then head out. the wife wants to hit up sherman at the inlet which is also a possibilty so she can through out for sum white bass or sumthing she not quite into the whole toss out the line and sit back and enjoy the area and the peace. but she's totally determened to catch more fish then me but I told her to go ahead and try but in the end mine will be bigger and taste way better. I'll let u all know how it goes and where we are going if anyone wants to stop by and chit chat or whatever

[fmb]

well I headed out to the canal last nite.....I met up with another boc member and his son....It was a pretty slow nite again......this spawn needs to be done with.....

anyways I got another channel...and whats wierd about it is.....both fish were caught in the same spot (maybe 10 feet away)...caught on the same bait.....and were the same size....I only got 1 bite and 1 fish both nites.....

well thanks for meeting me out there....always a good time meeting a new catfisher....

well I don't count the softshell turtle but I got 1 of them last nite to:smile2:

[sattv]

Another nice catch:cool2: Nice to meet ya,Thanks for all the tips on the canal. Tight Lines, Darren

[kyhawk]

thanks for all the post's...ive fished the canal for a bout 5 yrs now, and its the only place i like to fish...for the channels i like to use cut chub, shad guts, and grass frogs...for the flathead i use live chub, bullhead, and frogs...but overall success has come from chub {live or dead} and frogs have to be the top bait in the canal...ill be at the tourney thnks for the info, didnt no there held tourneys there but must say im pretty excited for that....if any more ?s just hollar have gotten to no the canal pretty well...goodluck

[flathead_hunter]

nice fish:wink:

[camochris2]

nice fish man good job