Arkansas River catfish, Oklahoma

[caatstalker]

just back off a 3 day stay on the river . the blues are just starting to wake up . as long as they are running water the fish were killing shad. any kind of shad, from about 3.oclock until thry shut the water down. was at webber #16 lock. largest was 14. i saw a 30. but not me . but 4-10 were just wearing me out, was awful hot. but much fun . cought my eaters for a while c/r the rest. i was caching 20/30 a day . cought a few on pearch, had one break off after a good run. sorry no pix, was by myself . had my hands full going to rest up, going again, oh yeah was bank fishing . this time im going to take my boat. folks drifting the scour hole, were tearing them up . some were caching them on minners. next couple weeks should be good .

[janton311]

Where in Oklahoma is that??? I fish the arkansas is wichita

[rivrbunny]

Some friends set out some lines this weekend and I am attaching a pic of the fish. The biggest was 50 lbs average was 37lbs. Beautiful fish.

[rivrbunny]

I'm going to try and upload the pic again-----

[jholl949]

Misty,
Good to see you posting. Missed you at Keystone.

[rivrbunny]

Mike,

Thank you - I missed Keystone but have read the posts. Sounds like everyone had a great time. Seems like there is always something going on and I do check to see where the fish are biting and who is catching them, so keep up the posts!
I am attaching a pic of the fish caught last weekend. Fried some today with Uncle Buck's and it was wonderful!

[rivrbunny]

This was the last fish of the day and my favorite! He sure was a pretty catfish.

[catfishcentral]

Looks like some good eatin to me.:smile2:

[laidbck111]

I've never caught any fish like that in CACHE, OK but then agian I only fished the reervation land a few times when I was younger and visiting my G-ma. Nice fish looks like yall had a good trip.

[capt theory]

finally got out monday morning and yes, it is definatly back on. i managed one blue that weighed 32 pounds and lost the biggest flathead ive seen personally. i had him in shallow water and he just flipped out on me. 3/4s of his body was out of the water multiple times. needless to say that thing threw the hook and left me standing in aw. if you all could have seen the back half of him and felt his weight. im telling you it was big. oh well, maybe next time it wont be so lucky.. also that flat bit on a real fresh big sucker head. i know it was a flat because i saw him so well, but as to big dead bait? ive seen it before but in weird parts of the year such as early spring.

[Big Sam]

Hey captain I saw some the other day too in the shallows dorsel fin and back of the fish plum out of the water:crazy: He probably go 35lbs..He was rasing some cain...I fish the Ar. river at scranton and the blues are waking up here too.

[capt theory]

after seeing my post again i want to clarify. sounds like a monster but ive only caught flats up to 33 pounds so thats the biggest ive seen. this thing had to be at least 50 pounds. it was definatly heavier than the 55 pound blue in my pic. just cant wait until next weekend now for another chance that i probably wont get...

[capt theory]

got a call from my fishing buddy tonight. he said he was fishing a mile or so from where i fished monday. was using cut herring and caught 3 flatheads. smallest 16 and biggest 22. said he was only fishing for an hour during the 3 pm heat and nailed them on cut bait. what the heck are these arkansas river flatheads doing to typical flathead behavior? biting cut baits during the heat of the day? i would even think they are still spawning but hey, take it when you can get it. the only bad news i have is the access to the river i have is coming to an end. i know a property owner who lets me access the river through his land but hes putting big fences up so i cant come and go as i please anymore... ugh...

[TA2D]

I want to come down there and catch some of those monsters.

Aaron

TA2D

[KWSMITH]

Great looking fish looks like you all had a good time.:big_smile:

[catfishcentral]

got a call from my fishing buddy tonight. he said he was fishing a mile or so from where i fished monday. was using cut herring and caught 3 flatheads. smallest 16 and biggest 22. said he was only fishing for an hour during the 3 pm heat and nailed them on cut bait. what the heck are these arkansas river flatheads doing to typical flathead behavior? biting cut baits during the heat of the day? i would even think they are still spawning but hey, take it when you can get it. the only bad news i have is the access to the river i have is coming to an end. i know a property owner who lets me access the river through his land but hes putting big fences up so i cant come and go as i please anymore... ugh...


We have gotten some good rain the last few days and there's good current on the channel. I'm sure the flatheads are taking advantage of any food offering right now. I've been lake fishing and been catching 3 to 6 flatheads a night lately biggest being 21 pounds so...who knows maybe the spawn is over for a majority of them right now. The females will be biting at least. Oh by the way none of the flatheads I've caught recently have touched my live bait all fresh cut shad.

[capt theory]

i suppose their all beat up and worn out and thats why their taking cut baits huh? were all your flats female? i just saw the one i missed so i dont know if it was male or not. also zach didnt say wether his were male or female. the blue i caught was a male and it was complety busted up and real skinny. his head looked ridiculous compared to his body. i took some good photos of it with my hand next to its head to show its size. well hopefully this weekend will bring on some good flatties for us. ah, and i completly forgot.. that blue swallowed a big circle hook and it gut hooked him so far down i couldnt see the hook at all even when i looked through the gills. i hope it doesnt screw him up. i just cut the string cause i didnt know what to do. doh! :embarassed:

[catfishcentral]

The 21 pounder I caught was a female. The only way I know that is it was still full of eggs. Some fish never get around to spawning each year is guess. The rest of the flatheads I've caught in the last week or two, I have no idea what sex they were since they were all released.

[777]

Sounds like they are about to light it up again. Good news and Misty thanks for sharing the pictures.

[rivrbunny]

Last weekends catch-pic attached. Beautiful day on the river.

[rivrbunny]

Last weekends catch-pic attached. Beautiful day on the river.
took twice to upload the pic-had to resize

[capt theory]

now that looks like fun. airboats rule that river hands down huh? beautiful flats there.

[rivrbunny]

I do love airboats and fishing! There are flats with periodic deep pockets where the fish gather up. Always fun and always an adventure. Beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife.

[capt theory]

yep, and if your lucky enough to get to one of those pockets you can have one of the best fast paced fishing experiences ever. i love the arkansas.

[Love Them Cats]

Where is a good place to bank fish on the Arkansas River?

I have never fished it, but I've heard a lot of people saying it's a good river for cat's?

Ken

[rivrbunny]

Anywhere on Kaw or Keystone. I live closer to Kaw so I would say Coon Creek channel or Trader's Bend. It depends on if you have a boat and can get to the channel. Since your asking about bank fishing I am guessing not. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife website has downloadable maps, also the Tulsa Corp of Engineers website has maps to all the camping areas. Below Kaw Dam is good depending on water release. After that alot of the land is privately owned so you are out of luck unless you know someone.

[rivrbunny]

Had a great time fishing today. Pic of the catch is attached. As pictured
the cats weigh 24 lbs, 24lbs, 15lbs, 42 lbs and 50 lbs -

[capt theory]

awesome awesome awesome. cant ask for much more than that. the waters finally looking right so im heading out the door now to see what i can catch by morning or when they let more water go.

[capt theory]

grr, when they finally stopped flows i had to go to bed for work tonight. skunked as ive ever been..

[rivrbunny]

Sorry you didn't have better luck capt. I was surprised to see several spoon bills in the deep spots last weekend. I would have thought their commute from Keystone to Kaw would have been over long ago.
Better luck next time.

[milla62]

I was woundering where you fish? I have been fishing on kerr since I moved here, but been lookin at the river below loc15, or boating up to weber falls if that is fisable!! Been having good luck by the lock in front of the spillways using shad!! I road my bike up to weber fall and look at the ramp is there any docks in the area?? Thanks
Todd

[rivrbunny]

Milla,

We fish between Ponca City and Ralston on the Arkansas River. Location varies depending upon where the deep water is and/or water release from the dam. Good Luck!

[caatstalker]

if u want or need a dock , u will have to go above #16 to webber lake , go likr u were going to lock , keep going north til the road tees off go right about 50 yds entrance to camp grounds. this canp grounds is a well kept secret all most every aria with elect/ water . has a boat dock sets on a back water off main river ramp is on river grounds are clean mowed all camps have fish cleaning stations , i always take a w/hose. great place to camp . kids can fish from bank, always calm . and u are about 1/4 mile above the lock , so it is a quick trip to lock down in a boat , sometimes i will set lines above the lock , lock down fish the gen pool , an lock back up . as it only takes about 15/20 min and does not cost anything . the camp att. is an avid cat man . and will assist u any way he can. his name is bob. he fishes yr. arround ( best camp grounds ) this portion of the river gives u axcess to greenleaf, grand river , the back of the gibson dam and verdigris. not to mention numerous , creeks islands , and awsome flats in spring and fall . rt. now u need running water, or fall in behind a tug with some shad, good luck hope this helps

[milla62]

Misty do you have any single sisters that like to fish?? I would love to have a fishing buddy like you!!!LOL

[capt theory]

you oughta stay focused on what catstalker has to say.. if your interested in catfishing in that area hes sharing some wise information..

[rivrbunny]

Thank you, but my one sister is married (happily). Good luck with the catfishing.

[capt theory]

well i managed to beat my personal flathead record. up to 35 pounds now. so im only a third of the way there. not quite as fun as a 55 pound blue but man big flats are hard for me to catch as consistantly as blues. also once again, that one was caught on a huge carp chunk. one thing that was weird about the fish was it had a big albino spot right in the middle of its forehead. almost looked like it was on purpose or something. pretty cool looking.

[TDawgNOk]

Good job Josh!!!!

Where are the pics?????

Glad to see ya floatin round the board still!

[boozer]

looks like a great time.

[Flintman]

Hey Josh, way to go, sounds like fun. CONGRATS

[223reload]

way to go rivrbunny those are some nise fish some gooduns

[mack5522]

looks like some good fishin ...