Catfishing in Baton Rouge Area - Mississippi River Catfish Tips PART II

[EdS]

Denny:

Hey, old pardner. Yesterday was the best day I've had in a while. A dozen fish or so and I believe I've caught well. Honestly, this is the worse year I've had fishing The Old Girl in 30 years or so. Anywhere we went were bunches of fish...4 to 6 inches or so. Hard to get a bite from a decent fish.

What I do is put out about 4 jugs with 3 stages and bait for big fish, go tight lining and come back a couple of hours later and pick 'em up. Yesterday caught 2 on the jugs, one about 1 1/2 and the other about 1 or less. Used some of that jumping carp that hit me in the head. Not worth a damn as cut bait. The skin is tough as a nail and the meat washes away quickly. Had to cut the skin off when un-hooking. Tough skin...weak meat!!! Not good bait...but a great attack fish. I can vouch for that.

Looks like the river will be too low (again) for me to put in my boat. Thinking on chasing some young women instead of fishing.

Bet my luck will be better at fishing!!!

[EdS]

I anchor the jugs. Good thing I do in that after 4 or 5 root beers I'd never find them. I use any old kind of jug...Clorox bottles, Coke 2 liter bottles, etc. The important part is the weight. Should you mess-up and hook on to a big boy you don't want him to drag it out into the channel, which is what they always try to do. Its like hooking-up with a young woman...you always try to drag her into deeper waters.

Just make sure you have a heavy anchor!!!

[mullyden]

What's the scoop, Ed? Been out? If you can miss the rain and lightning you might be doing alright. I haven't heard of anything much being caught. My problem is that I haven't been out to try. Is your boat still able to get in and out at St. F. I don't know whether I can get in or not. Maybe I'll get to go this weekend. My Salmon/Halibut trip starts a week from Friday. I suppose we'll learn a lot during this trip.
Talked to Conan today. He's all moved into a house in S. Texas. He expects to get internet next week. I'm sure he'll post then. He's fished much more than me since he left but he's still just checking places out.
Take care.

[EdS]

Don't know if its good news or bad news...but its bad news for me. Sold my boat last Sunday. Seems like health problems have finally taken their toll on this old poot. I'll still be going fishing though, when the weather gets a little cooler, with some old partners, if they invite me. This is the first time I've not had a boat in the past 53 years, had one since I was 12, but at 65 one has to face-up to the reality that when the mind has the desire, sometimes the old body just can't take the presssure as it once could. I'll still be in touch and will be looking forward to hearing from you guys as to your successes. When the word gets out to the "cats" I imagine they'll have a helluva party. God knows I've caught a bunch in the river and some big uns, too, over the years.

Some of my fondest memories are of the many, many times I've taken kids "up the river" and taught 'em how to bait a worm, how to cast an open face reel, how to clean one of 'em and all of the other stuff that goes with it. Anyone can take a friend, but to take a kid is truly an investement in the future of that child. Better cat than crack.

So, I will remain a faithful BOC member and will anticipate and look forward to your reports.

[mullyden]

Ed,
I'd say it's bad news... not really. I'm sure you hate getting rid of the boat, cause it was a dandy outfit. You can always go with us assuming we get back out there. It'll probably be a little easier on you not having to mess with the boat, but I'm sure with the number of friends you have you'll still spend lots of time on the river. Who knows, you might just get another one some day. I'm sure you brought lots of joy into the lives of the folks you took out there. I know I enjoy it, and when they're biting there's nothing quite like getting out there catchin them with friends. Hell, look at it this way, you can watch out for the flying carp now that someone else does the driving!!!
Take care.

[bself]

Well I am back from Arkansas had a pretty good trip but I will now be spending all my time trying to get this new house set up. Maybe we will get back out there in a few weeks.

Hope your salmon trip goes very well.

[mullyden]

We so need to get out there again. I am kinda attracted to the jug fishing. I think we ought to try it!.. I leave in the am for Alaska. I'll try to post while there.

[CrawDaddy]

Denny,Bself, and Eds...I am finally online. Can't get broadband where I am at so I won't visit as muh but I will still be around!!!

[bself]

Connan it is sure good to have you back!!

[Catfish_Commando]

New thread Created:

[CrawDaddy]

Eds,

Sorry to hear about your health problems. Hope everything works out for the best. And I am sorry to junk up the catfish Tips thread. I didn't realize it was new thread until now :)

I have been fishing here, but haven't had any luck. I am finding it very difficult to find catfishermen around here. The locals I have talked to don't care for catfish and instead fish for what most of us would label trash fish i.e. gar,carp. There is a lake about a mile from my house and I talked to a guy there. He said that he fishes for gar and sometimes he will catch some cats, but he throws them back and only keeps the gar!!!! Can you believe that?!?!?

So far I haven't had any luck there. My wife doesn't like me going out there because my brother-in-law keeps telling her stories about how dangerous it is because, according to him, alot of drug dealers work out there. So far, I haven't seen any evidence of it, but I always carry my fillet knife and box cutter just in case!! But I am determined and will eventually solve the mysteries of catfishing here, unless I find a partner in the meantime!!

[mullyden]

I got back to town this afternoon after a great week of fishing in Alaska for Halibut and Salmon plus whatever else bit. We stayed at a really nice place with mountain view and a beach right on the ocean. They just launched aluminum boats not much bigger than Eds former boat and they took us out fishing. Due to weather, we had to adjust out locations, but the guides knew what they were doing. We limited out most of the time. I did catch the largest ling cod taken at the lodge. You could guess mine would look more like a catfish than anything else there. It weighed 54 lb. Big halibut were fun, but the salmon are the fish that put on the show. Those guys would jump and fight until they couldn't any longer. It was lots of fun, but I still like my river fishing which I have not done in quite some time. A few photos are attached. Ed, you really need to take a trip. Conan, glad you finally got internet. That dial up will probably put a crimp in your poker playing, huh! You all take care and be careful. The day before I left, a roofer was killed by lightning right across the street!

[CrawDaddy]

Man, glad to hear you had a good trip and glad to have you back!! Those are some nice fish!! As far as the poker and dial-up, it has been really smooth. I haven't had a single issue in about 5 hours of online play (knock on wood)!!

[CrawDaddy]

By the way I turned 35 today :) Got my regular gift from my Dad ( which is typically my favorite ), a years subscription to the Dallas Cowboy Weekly. My sister-in-law bought me a programming book ( I"m working on a new webpage...I am planning one for me,you, and Brad to keep in touch with ). Hopefully the fishing will be more productive once the weather cools. But, I am going to keep trying anyway!!!! Think I'll start a log keeping records of temp,bait, and time to see if I can catch a pattern.

[bself]

Well Happy Birthday you old fart. Denny those are some nice fish. maybe in a couple weeks we can get back out there. If I can finally get everything settled with my house.

[EdS]

GREAT to see you all back on the site!!!

Crawdaddy: My youngest son, Jason, is up in Tyler, TX and, basically, told me the same story...nobody up there fishes catfish. That boy was raised fishing cats, ever since he was 6 years old I've taken him up the river. In high school his nickname was "Catfish". Everyone up there, he says, wants to fish bass, he does that, too, but has remained true to tradition and has been catching cats well in the lakes and ponds around his place. You hang in there, Conan, and soon they'll be taking lessons from you!!!

Mulleyden: I'm jealous. From the pics you posted it looks as though you had a wonderful trip. Don't want to know what it cost, but I'm sure it was worth every penny. You sure didn't miss any good fishing around here while you were gone.

Bself: Hang in there with the new house. Its like fishing...you sure want to go and then you get lucky and catch a bunch...now the work starts. YOU GOTTA CLEAN 'EM. But its well worth it when all of the work is over.

S.F. Fishing Report: Not good at all. Very few fishing as the word is out that the bite is off. The best report I've heard was from a friend who went last weekend and caught 12, 4 skillet heads and 8 blues. The largest was about 5 or so he said. Used worms. This weekend the fellow to whom I sold my boat took his grandson and only caught 4. He didn't say what size but there was no bragging so they must have been small. He said that everywhere they went that the "fiddelers" were tearing up the bait. Hard to catch a good fish.

Sure miss my boat. Maybe next year I'll buy another, if I can afford it. Just bought my wife a new car (BMW) and can't afford a box of worms now.

[mullyden]

Ed,Bself
Glad to hear from both of you. Ed, nice to see you are keeping up with the river catch (if any). I don't know if I can get out, but as soon as Brad is able, I want to try it. My boat will set up if I don't.
Ed, you really need to take that trip to Alaska. My buddy and I were paired up with a fella 62 yr old and his 92 yr old dad. They both were real fisherman, but the old man was really good. His lifetime dream was to go halibut fishing. They were from New Jersey and he fished for flounder mainly. He really loved the halibut fishing. His biggest was almost 40 lb. That old guy could cuss with the best of em when he thought he was getting too much help from his kid or others. They were quite nice folks as was everybody I met.
I'm sure your eating dogfood now that the wife has the Beemer. Yea, Right. I'm sure you can scrape up enough for that new boat next year. Sounds like a waste of time right now. I would like to still go out and give it a shot. That old fella from N.J. makes lead sinkers in his spare time. Apparently sells them to local sporting goods stores by the thousands of lbs over the years, all by himself. Apparently the lead fumes haven't hurt him too bad although he says he does wear a respirator. I'm gonna buy some from him. For halibut we used either 2, 3 or 4 lb sinkers depending on the tides. A wad of bait probably weighed another lb so you had a load to crank with or without fish.
You'all take care.:lol:

[CrawDaddy]

Alright Denny,

Just address Bself and Eds just because I moved away. I understand. Now my feelings are hurt!!!

[CrawDaddy]

Man this is sad!! You guys need to start getting out and catching some fish!! I haven't posted here much. I found a site called the Texas Fishing Forums that has been really useful. But I always check back here to see how you guys are doing. But, apparently nothing has changed from Denny's last report!! I hope it changes soon!!

[mullyden]

I went out to see if the boat would crank up. Works like a champ. I'm ready to go if we can get in.
Conan, how was the meteor shower?:cool2:

[CrawDaddy]

The meteor shower was a complete washout both nights. Clouds rolled in about 11pm both nights and didn't break.
I am experimenting with trot lines in the canal behind the house. No luck so far, but I think I know why with the current set-up. Will adjust Monday.
I went running yesterday and am so stinking sore, I think I'll just relax today!!

[EdS]

Nothing new to report from St. Francisville. The river is too low to put in even a small boat. Don't know of anyone that's even tried to put in except that last week 3 game wardens put in their 20 ft. or so boat and couldn't get it out. Had to call a wrecker from B.R. to get the trailer out and had to send the boat down the river to B.R. And all this while I thought they had good sense!!! Wonder if they caught anything?

[mullyden]

Guess it couldn't happen to a better bunch. Seriously, I hope somebody can get in. I sure don't remember any lower water elevation. If I can get Brad to go Sat, we're gonna give it a try getting in. May be a complete waste of time. I did crank up the boat last weekend with mickey mouse ears to see if it still ran, which it did! May have to go on to Lake Verrett if we can't get in.
Take care.

[CrawDaddy]

Hope you guys can get in!! If nothing else you can make the drive so you don't forget how to get there since it's been so long!!

My trotline had an unfortunate accident with the lawn mower that was mowing the bank of the canal near my house. I had caught 2 carp, 4 and 3 lbs, and then a nice eating size channel that day. Now she is gone!! But fortunately we had a BBQ at the in-laws tonight and I was telling him my story. He ran to the garage and brought me out a trotline he had made 3 years ago and has never used. I am going to break her in tomorrow evening at the lake. I am going to use 3 different hooks and all the same bait. Keep a log of which hooks catch fish. Then switch the hook arrangement up, keep more records, and then do it again with a different bait until I can find a combination that works best!!
And I am also going to check out that pond near here and see if I can try it out!!
I'll let you know how it works out!!

Denny, you heard from Brad lately?? I haven't gotten any responses from email so I was wondering if he is moving or is just being a stuck-up punk!!

[bself]

I am still around, really trying to get moved and settled in. I havn't got any emails from you. bself2@cox.net We are going to try and get out this next weekend for a little while.

[CrawDaddy]

Well, I was sending them to bself2@bellsouth.net!! No wonder!!

[mullyden]

Conan, Brad and Ed
Mary, Kim and I went out for about 3-4 hrs of fishing this afternoon. Water was at 4.7ft (BR) but we didn't have any trouble getting in or out. We brought home 8 nice ones. I caught a 10+ and 6+, Kim caught one just about 6 lb and Mary caught one almost 5 lb. We were getting quite a few empty hooks so there were probably some little ones there. We had probably 5 or so throwbacks. We lost a couple nice ones too. Mary had one about 10 lb break her line just as we were netting it. It was a little quicker than us! Except for the hot temp, everything was great out there. Water was the clearest I have seen it. And, believe it or not I got that anchor out of the submerged tree at the corner. It was kind of under the tree but Mary saw a rope sticking out and I followed it and there it was!! Can't beat that, huh! I attached a few pics.

[CrawDaddy]

Denny,

I am SO glad to see you finally got to get out!! And not to mention the nice size cats!! It had been awhile since anyone except Brad had caught a big cat!!
I ended up not setting out my trotline. Saturday went SO bad that I started thinking I may hook myself since everything else seemed to be going bad. Maybe I sent all my good luck to you guys out on the river!!! I probably won't do so until Thursday. Liz's great-uncle passed away this weekend and she has a busy schedule until then.

I went to check out the pond. The end of the property is fenced in and I couldn't make it out to where the satellite pictures showed the pond to be. STRIKE 1 !!! I'll spend a few more hours searching Google Earth when I find some extra time!! Leyla started school tody so Gaven is feeling "lonely" with both his sisters gone today!!

I figured finding your anchor would just be a matter of finding it before someone else did !! Now, you'll just have to remember to stay away from that stump when you try to anchor in that corner and you'll be golden :) That is, if the water is ever that high again!!!

[mullyden]

Sorry to hear about Liz' great uncle. Hope all goes well for her and the rest of the family.
It really was great catching some fish. The water level was actually 4.0ft at BR yesterday. The web guage was apparently not working and was estimated. The 4.0ft was what the newspapers reported. We should not have any problem getting in or out even if is should drop a foot or so. Only problem may be sharks from the gulf!
We sure could have caught a few more larger ones yesterday. It is not often that the magic red hooks let em off. Once one got off of mine and chunked the hook.
PLease send me a PM again with your phone number. I forgot to program it. Well, will the Saints beat the Cowboys by a little or a lot tonight?:big_smile:

[CrawDaddy]

Denny,

Your Saints are in for a long year!! And I think my Boys are going to be pretty darn good. They were good early last year until they had some key injuries. This year, I don't think even that could hold them back. They are deep at almost every position and especially the WR and OL positions which were their weakest areas last year.

Well, if you are worried about sharks you just need to make sure you have your shark pole out :) That pole could probably handle it!!

I am going to try and get out there and set up the trotline this weekend. I am going to use circle hooks and see how they work!! My main concern is not getting hung up. Where I am going has a ton of rocks, but I think if I add about 10 ft of 10lb test line to the end of the trotline that will keep the hooks out of the snags!!

I will send that PM right after this post, but for future reference you could get it from Brad as well :)

[bself]

Well Its good to hear that ya'll did well and found your anchor. I don't know if i will be able to go this weekend or not. We just got power yesterday and I have a lot to do. I quess it just depends on how all that goes. I don't have internet at the house so don't try emailing me because its not working now. We will just have to see how it all works out.

[bself]

Ok I finally got internet back, Denny did you go last weekend? I will hopefully get to go some time in the near future. I really miss not being able to go the last couple of weekends. Well I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day

[EdS]

bself, et.al.

Hope you all get to go soon. We need some good reports. No one up here has been fishing as it is still impossible to put a boat over safely and the river is predicted to continue falling. Maybe we're not running out of fish but we're sure running out of river!!! Be sure to post a report if you all do go. Later.

[mullyden]

I agree with you, there are fish in the river. We had a great time 2 weeks ago. I won't get to go for another 2 wks since I have to go to KS for my mother in law's 90th birthday celebration. I'm gonna bring a pole in I case I get a chance to wet a line there. I get a note every once in a while from Conan. He is trotlining behind his house. He catches lots of carp so far. Don't think they are jumpers that whacked you though.

[CrawDaddy]

Been finding alot of empty hooks. Here is my problem although this one probably won't be back since it still has a hook and 6 inches of line hanging out it's mouth. Wasn't about to get my finger snapped off!!
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6924/s4010005us7.th.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s4010005us7.jpg)

[CrawDaddy]

Goodness gracious!! Wrong pic!! That was a bout 1 1/2 lb channel also caught on the trotline last night. Here is the cause of my empty hooks!!

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2108/s4010006xi1.th.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s4010006xi1.jpg)

[CrawDaddy]

Just in case you couldn't tell that was a picture of the turtle we caught. Here's a carp from last week!

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4959/s4010006gk0.th.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s4010006gk0.jpg)

[EdS]

Absolutely nothing to report from St. Francisville. NO ONE has been fishing as the river is too low to launch a boat, even a small one. The St. Francisville ferry has been closed down all this week because of low water and will be closed TFN. Checked the LMRFC river stages site a few minutes ago and it looks as though there is no end to low water in sight. And this is the time of year when we all should be "knocking 'em out" !!!

[EdS]

bself, crawdaddy, denny:

You all will like this video. Go to AOL News, scroll down a bit and you will see "News Videos" on the right side of your screen. Click on "Beware Of Flying Fish".

[WildWillie]

bself, crawdaddy, denny:

You all will like this video. Go to AOL News, scroll down a bit and you will see "News Videos" on the right side of your screen. Click on "Beware Of Flying Fish".

And my wife says the bugs hurt.

Will

[mullyden]

Finally made it back from mother in law's 90th birthday celebration in Kansas. It actually came out pretty well. I brought a couple of poles and went fishing where I did as a kid and the lake (Corp of Eng Lake) was down about 30 ft and what used to be a lake was a river channel. I saw probably 50 of Conan's carp sucking up scum from the top of the water, but I fished for a solid 8 hours and didn't get a decent bite. I need to get back on the Miss. this weekend. They gotta be biting better than in KS. The key is to get out there and try, you got to be present to win. Will have to be Sunday since there is too much good football on Sat!

[CrawDaddy]

Should have used corn Denny. Then you would have caught some of "my" carp. I haven't had the throwline out for a week. Finally got tired of waiting for my brother-in-law to pick up the talapia I had caught so I cut that sucker up and baited the line :)

[mullyden]

Conan,
I went to Academy to buy some worms today and decided to get another pole also, a long one. Anyway, as I was having them put line on the reel, I saw some pretty familiar pics stuck on the wall. You, your dad and catdaddy with the 30 lb blue. I suppose you had them put it up, so that everyone would think you caught it!! Oh, well, not to bust any bubbles, I left them there. I wish I would have had some corn or a bow. Even not being a bow hunter, I could have skewered quite a few carp. I could have used a harpoon they were so close. I was just kinda bummed out in that I didn't get squat. I'm going to give it a shot on the river tomorrow if the weather cooperates. Take care

[mullyden]

Mary, Kim, Rob and I went out for about 4 hours this afternoon and did we have a ball! We caught a total of 38 bluecats weighing 181 pounds. The largest was 12 lb (released) with a lot of them in the 6-7 lb range. They were biting when we got there and biting when we left. Everything was caught on worms. We really had a blast. If you can get in, they seem to be really biting. Attached are a few pics to remember the trip.

[CrawDaddy]

WOW is all I can say!!! FANTASTIC catch guys. I wish I was there as well!!!!!

Only thing I've seen better today was the Cowboys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are REALLY close to being DOMINATE!!!

[CrawDaddy]

I just saw the post about the pics at Academy!! A guy I worked with at Target started working at that Academy and was always telling me to bring some pictures in ( mainly I think he thought I was fibbing ), so I finally did it!!

[bself]

Nice catch Denny, when you called I was studying, which was what i was doing all sunday. I should be able to get out in two saturdays. We have fall break then. It has been about 20X as busy this semester.

[bself]

Just one more week and hopefully we will be able to get out ther. We may either have to plan around the game or take a radio b/c it should be a heck of a game. I will have to go and pick up my new license b/f we go. If you don't mind I will see if mike wants to go.

[mullyden]

Had another great trip this afternoon. Ended up with 35 with total weight of 161 lb. There were 4 boats out there! Water level was 8.0 in Baton Rouge and just a really nice day. No problems getting in or out. Kim, Mary, Scott, Brandon and I went. They pretty much bit all day. The largest was 13 lb which we released. A good time was had by all. I look forward to Saturday. It would be great if Mike comes. Kim may come again also. Attached are a few pics.

[scout]

Looks like y'all had a great day Denny.:big_smile:

[bself]

Great catch, well looks like mike won't be able to go. He has got something else going on, looks like i will also have to bring a radio. What time do you want to go?

[catgetter1]

Man it couldn't get much better than that. Wish i cudda been thar.... Thankx for sharing the pics....

[mullyden]

catgetter-
It was really a ball the last couple of times out. I don't know what's going on. For the last couple of weeks the bite has been steady, which we have had similar stretches in the past, but the fish are averaging about 2-3 times the size. Usually they are ~2 lb and now 4-6 with some 8-13 lb once in a while. The little ones are the best eating but the bigger ones generate more trash talk during the trip, which makes it lots more fun. If you make it down to BR look us up for a trip.

[coach]

howdy mully ............... good to see u are " gettin with the program"...... good catches !!!!!

[CrawDaddy]

Nice pics Denny. I sure do miss those kind of trips. I was going to give it a try Sunday, but the mother and father-in-law showed up, and about the time they left the brother and sister-in-law came. Oh well, the temp is finally dropping here so won't be too long until I take my hiking trip to the Rio Grande!! Nice pics Denny!

[mullyden]

We again had a great trip on the river this afternoon. The fish were biting when we got there and were biting when we left early to go watch the LSU/Florida game on TV (which sucked). We ended up with 38 that weighed a total of 173 lb. The two largest were 19 and 13 lb which were both released. Brad, Kim, Mary and I went and had a wonderful day. It was about 10 degrees cooler than normal and we had a nice breeze to cool us off. I really hope they keep biting. The level was 13.3ft (Baton Rouge) and this is about 5 ft higher than at last trip. It didn't seem to matter to the fish. The water was a not quite as clean, but it was still nice. Attached are a few pics.

[CrawDaddy]

Story of my life. I move away and the fish go crazy!!! Iended up not going last night, in-laws stayed long enough for me to get too deep into the beer to go fishing :)
Was thinking of going tonight but we got a pretty good rain and I don't feel like cleaning up all the mud tomorrow!

Nice pics there Denny. Bout time you got Brad's butt out there!!

[CrawDaddy]

Denny, you guys getting any of that cooler weather?? High yesterday was 70!! Haven't turned on the AC since Wednesday. Been wonderful. Read on another forum where they had gotten cooler weather and it had really gotten the blues active. Maybe it'll help me down here!!

[mullyden]

I went on vacation last week in Phoenix. Just gopt back last night. Plane got diverted from Baton Rouge to Alexandria and they brought us back by bus at about 2:30 am (long night). It was really nice in Az. We spent 4 nights up in the Az mountains where it was pretty cold. Worked my butt off on sisters cabin and around my mom's house. It looks like we got a reasonable amount of rain in BR. Hope to get out on the river next weekend. We have definitely hit much cooler weather here.

[CrawDaddy]

I sent you a link to a video of a kid that caught a 40 lb flathead in a canal in AZ. Did you get it?

[bself]

so denny you want to give it a whirl this weekend, I think me and mike are willing to give it a go.

[CrawDaddy]

Brad, how is the new place?? You got her filled up with animals yet?? :)
Did you ever get your email up and running? I've sent you some emails but got a response. Man, you won't believe how big Gaven is getting!!

[StuBone278]

Where do yall fish the Mississippi? Looking from Google Maps, the only place I can think of is an offshoot channel that is north of the city and the river doesn't actually flow into it, but passes by it, almost like a lake. If somebody could find a link of the coordinates on www.maps.google.com (http://www.maps.google.com) , just find the place and copy/paste the address. Thanks.

[mullyden]

Stu,
Welcome to the BR posting area. The spot you identify is called the barge canal. I have never caught anything there, but have heard of folks doing ok at the mouth of it in the river. I would be leary of eating anything actually caught deep in the canal. It drains an area called devil's swamp which over the years has been not the most pristine dump. It has served as a landfill in the past.
We actually fish mostly south of Baton Rouge, toward Donaldsonville, upstream of the Sunshine Bridge a few miles. I don't know that there is anything special with the place structurally, but it has delivered lots of fish over the past few years. There may be just as good or better spots closer, but access into the river by boat is extremely limited. We launch from the levee (no ramp). There is a ramp beneath the I10 bridge in Baton Rouge. We have at times caught some by the grain loading terminal directly across the river, but it's been hit or miss with us. I've seen folks that I guess are lots better fishermen bring out hundreds of lbs of fish from there.
Sometime, when you get a chance, we could get a trip together and jerk a few out. Are you going to LSU? A couple of the folks I fish with are in Vet school there. Again, welcome to the site. I'm probably not smart enough to put the right coords in mapquest.

[StuBone278]

I do plan on going to LSU, but that will be 2 years from now. I plan to still be fishin, so that might just work, haha.

[CrawDaddy]

Stu, when you go to LSU make sure you stay away from the Vet facilities. Those guys are REALLY weird :) Mullyden and I could tell you some stories!!!

[mullyden]

Mike, Brad and I went out Saturday am and had a nice trip. Weather was comfortable, but wind was pretty strong, making it hard to anchor and detect bites. We ended up with 24 weighing a total of 80 lb so they were nice fish. Largest was about 8.5 lb. All were caught on worms. Here are a few pics from the trip.

[CrawDaddy]

Nice catch guys. I just got done getting some hooks ready for my trotline. I am going out in a little bit to the reservoir. I read on another forum about a soap bait that is good for trotlines to catch catfish. I found the soap yesterday, so I am going to give it a try this evening. Got to be back before the Cowboy game though!!

[mullyden]

Mary, Kim, Jimmy (first time out with us) and I went out for a while today. The bite seems to be staying on pretty strong. We ended up with 50 fish weighing a total of 152 lb. They were biting from the time we got there until we left mid afternoon. Largest was and even 7 lb and the rest were just fine eating size. Level was 16.6ft @ Baton Rouge. Weather was beautiful with a nice breeze. Everything was caught on worms as usual. Attached are a few pics to remember the day.

[catdaddy64]

Post more pics of Kim... forget the catfish...lol:cool2:
Tell her and Mary Hi for me.

Stay in touch

[mullyden]

Well, Catdaddy, I can tell you must be feeling better. As you can see the fish are still biting. Have you made it back to school yet? I presume you are continuing to keep your thumper away from those smokes. Hang in there, bud and it's great to see you on the rebound!

[catdaddy64]

I am feeling much better. I am not going to say it has been a cake walk to throw the smokes away but I am making it day by day and am very proud of myself for the strength I have been able to muster in this fight.

I do see that the fish have been biting...I think I can summon the strength:smile2: to jerk a few lips this weekend if you are planning to go.

Let me know...It maybe better to call me.

[mullyden]

Congrats on your smokes or lack thereof. I know it takes some courage to keep away from them, but you have to look at the long haul. Not everybody would be able to do it, but not everybody would be going to school under your circumstances. You'll do it.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it out this weekend. Brennan is having his birthday party on Saturday, and on sunday we have a subdivision get together to go to. I'd sure like to go, though, when you have your next opportunity to go. We also have a 4 day weekend at Thanksgiving. Please let me know your availability.

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Take care and hang in there.:006:

[CrawDaddy]

Glad to hear you are feeling better catdaddy!! Keep up the good work on the smokes! I tried to quit the chew a few weeks ago, but I am also trying to get in shape. Gained 1 lb during that week so put it on hold for now. But I did lose 6 lbs this month and hope to lose around 20 total. I'll have to send you my before and after pics. Made quite a dent in the ole beer belly :)

[bself]

Well cat it is good to see you are doing better. craw you are a fat fart you know that. denny not thanksgiving weekend but the next one i may be interested in trying it out if you are. anyways just havn't been on here in a while and it looks like ya'll havn't been either.

[mullyden]

Week after Thanksgiving sounds fine. I'm probably gonna give it a try tomorrow. I explained to Kim and Mary about your posing antics and that has to be part of the agenda. They really want to see you stroke a fish, anchor, or whatever. I ate some of the last bunch using the outdoor setup on high temp with Uncle Bucks and it was wonderful. Nice and crispy and good! I ate a couple of sandwiches with the leftovers.
Would you please pm to me Mike's phone number? My Dr. went ahead and retired early and now I'm doctorless. He mentioned he knew of a really good one at Ochsner. Thanks

[CrawDaddy]

You probably drove him to retirement, you old coot!!

Brad, who YOU calling fat fart??? That's a little but hurtful man!! I can't portray tears very well online, but they are there!!

Hope you tear them up Denny. I am going to some lake in a few weeks. Don't know much about. I just got a PM on the Texas Fishing Forum from a guy that lives here inviting me to go catfishing with him on his friends lake. I wonder if it's a pond or a lake?? Anyway, I'll let you know when/if I go and how it turns out. I saw a couple nice looking rod and reels at the flea market last weekend. I think I might pick a couple up tomorrow before the Cowboys end the Colts undefeated season !!

[bself]

sorry connan i really didn't mean it. u know you are a fit stud. denny how did you do the other day?

[mullyden]

Only two of us went and we had a good day particularly with the conditions. It was very windy which made it very difficult to anchor and the currents kept changing bringing with it lots of "salad" at times. In spite of it we ended up with a nice catch of 27 weighing 67 lbs. Largest was 6.5lb and another about 5 lb. We did catch one that was really weird. I don't know if it was a different species or one with that skin disorder that Michael Jackson has, you know, the variation in pigment. Otherwise the fish was perfectly normal. The water temp was 48 degrees which was surprising to me. Here are a few pics.

[CrawDaddy]

It's a new Chik Fillet catfish!!! Eat more chicken!!!

[heavyduty]

It looks like a MOOO cat :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[mullyden]

Heavy,
It's something, huh. I posted a "what is it?" pic on another part of the site and one person called it a piebald cat. I looked it up on google and that is probably it. Just wish I would have kept it in an aquarium. When we cauth it we thought it looked like a paint horse, a clown, a milk cow. Probably should have checked it out really good and claimed the pattern resembled something famous! Looks like you get some big ones on the Miss. Do you get your flatties on lines or rod and reel? We don't catch many here, maybe 1 in 100 or less. Piebalds are at least <1 in 1500 cause it's the first since I've been keeping records. Take care

[bself]

Looks like it may have a lack of melanin or some genetic dispositon that has knocked out the pigmentation somehow. face and all looks like an albino. really wierd though. Denny who is Jimmy? Just thought I would ask, I havn't met him or anything(atleast I don't think i have met him).

[heavyduty]

Hey Denny, yeah it is something! I think piebald would be correct because we have killed deer in our area with the same markings and piebald is what we call them. I mostly catch my flatheads on trotlines and 99% of them it has been at night and on live bait. I dont have the patience to r&r at night but since ive been on this site and met some fellas that do,i am trying to learn. I believe that is the first one i seen too, i have seen them discolored a little bit but nothing like that one. I know what you mean about wishing you would have kept it, I caught a strange fish in Lake Mary and didnt keep it and dont know what it was and havent even seen any pics of any thing close. Thanks for the pics and post.

[CrawDaddy]

:banana: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mullyden]

Brad,
Jimmy is a fella that I work with. He is a planner for a company that works for us. He has gone the last two times and I believe had a really fun time. You haven't met him. He would like to take his 12 yo daughter out and we'll do that on a nice day. Hopefully next weekend will be fine as I guess you'll still be able to go. Jimmy is a nice person not nearly as wild as yourself. We didn't even talk about the fruit salad, although we did get some salad on our hooks at time. Did you ever have Mike call me go give me the Dr's name? I could go through a near death experience or die and not have a primary care physician and it will be on your conscience! What a scum bag. Take care of yourself and have a great thanksgiving. What do you think about Ark against LSU on Fri? I think it will be a really good game.

[CrawDaddy]

Go Arkansas!! Not that I really care, I just route against LSU :)

Everone have a nice Thanksgiving. I made my wife tell everyone that we were eating at 11AM. I am hoping that means they'll be gone by the Cowboy game :)

[EdS]

CRAWDADDY

Sorry you ARK fans got your butts whipped today! Surely you know you had an ass whipping coming ( I won $100 on the game) !!! I took the points.

Went up the river today and fished the big hole at the Twin Silos. Couldn't catch a thing on worms but caught 22 on river shrimp. Nothing decent...the largest less than 2 pounds. Water temp. was 49, Miller Lite was 48 so everything worked out well.

My words of advice...Never buy a boat. Buy a friend that has a boat. You pay for the beer, ice, food, bait and then when you get back give the fish to him. He has to clean "em, wash the boat, etc. and then fill-up the tanks. I should have thought of this years ago..

[CrawDaddy]

Eds, I'm not an ARK fan, heck I don't even like college football, I just like routing against LSU :)
I'm a Dallas Cowboy fanatic and that's all that matters! Glad to hear you caught some fish!! I still find it strange that you have more luck with river shrimp and we had better luck with worms!

[mullyden]

Ed S
It's good to hear from you. I haven't seen any posts for quite some time. I was even worried about you so much as to attempt to call you at home, cell and at work. The lady at work said you are doing fine. We have been doing very well down her catching them, but believe me, when you start cleaning, the theory of going with someobody else makes lots of sense. We have had about a half a dozen good trips in a row, from 60+ lb to 182+ totals. For some reason there is a pretty steady bite and the size is significantly larger than past years.
LSU did play a good game. Looks like a lot depends on ND vs USC and ARK vs. Fla as to where LSU will go for bowl. I think Ohio State for sure is best overall, and am not sure Michigan isn't the second best, even though I am not a big 10 favorite.
You take care and please keep in touch.

[EdS]

Good to hear from you, too. Been busy and haven't had much time to devote to fishing. This is my busy time of the year with the three businesses: however, the good fishing time is just coming up. They are just beginning to get in the holes up here and it won't be long before I'll be reporting some good catches (I hope)...weather permitting. The water temp. here was 49 yesterday and that is a positive indication that they are seeking deeper water. Yesterday there was another boat fishing the "hole" about 100 feet from us with two guys and they were using worms. We had river shrimp. We caught 22 in about 2 hours and they caught 3. We had worms but didn't even give 'em a try. We left them still fishing.

As soon as I can post a really good report, I will. Then you may want to consider taking your boat up here to help "knock 'em out". I'll be back in touch.

[mullyden]

The bite remains on! We went out today mid-morning and left at about 2pm. We ended up with 62 nice ones weighing a total of 141 pounds. They were all bluecats. We caught almost all on worms. I did try some shrimp and they'd only hit a buffet of shrimp and worm. We really had a fun time. Jimmy and his really nice daughters, Christie and Allie came along with Mary and Kim. We didn't have 5 minutes go by without a bite and usually we had several in that time frame. Christie and Allie had not fished since they were little so it was kinda new to them. By the end of the day they were doing an exceptional job bringing 'em in. Here are a few pics to remember the trip.

[CrawDaddy]

Dang Denny!! I wish I was still there helping you haul those cats in!! I have yet to even catch a fish on rod and reel since moving here. I haven't given up. Your pics keep me inspired (and a bit jealous!!)

[scout]

Great looking mess of cats Denny. They sure are fat lol.:lol:

[mullyden]

Scout,
How are things in New Iberia? Got your new email address, thanks. Been doing any fishing or just Basketball and other sports? I don't understand why they're biting so well here, but it has been amazing for the last several months. We've been getting quite a few each time out and with almost no time waiting for em to bite. I imagine you are quite busy with all the offshore work. Keep those choppers flying. Take care and say hi to your family.:lol:

[scout]

Hey Denny, we are doing fine here in Abbeville. The fishing has been great. I have been catching alot of nice cats and some very large crabs. I see you guys have been doing very well with the cats also.

Yes we have been very busy with basket-ball, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. I try and make all of her games that I can. She is in 10th grade now and soonwill be grown up:sad2: .

I hope you and your family are well and keep catching those cats. Talk to you later, Randall.

[mullyden]

Scout,
Pardon me about Abbeville vs. New Iberia. I missed by about 20 mi. I guess I'm just getting too old. When I changed your email address I saw your town address also. Oh, well, glad things are going well for you and the family. Are you getting the crabs while you're fishing or do you put out traps? Take care.

[scout]

I just tie off 2 crab lines from the back of the boat while fishing. I put a chicken wing on each one and it last all day.

No problem with the New Iberia thing, you were close enough lol:lol: .

Have a great day, Randall.

[bself]

Denny, well i looks like I may have to put that trip off. I havn't been feeling well so I may not need to go out in the weather saturday. I'll sell how I feel tommorrow and let you know something. It also depends on how trashed I want to get tommorrow night seeing as how my last final is tommorrow morning. I will let you know something either way. If I don't get to go this weekend next week will be fine also as will the next and the next and so on.

[mullyden]

Brad,
I say lets put it off also. It's supposed to be about 25 degrees colder and freezing in the am. Wind will be from the north, making anchoring more difficult. I could only go Saturday since I have to go back to Calgary Monday-Wed and would need to clean up the boat on Sunday. There will also be some good football this weekend anyway. By the way, I wish the Razorbacks good luck this weekend. They really do need a QB with an arm however. Poor Dick. His balls got there but always slow enough for a quick defender to get his hands on it! I'll talk to you when we know what the weather looks like next week.
The fish were biting like crazy last week and hopefully that will last. (Oh, that's right, you didn't catch any last time did you :too_sad: I'm sure next time you'll catch something, or else I'll give you a few charity fish to reel in!)Take care.