Allegheny River Catfishing

[bigpapa15206]

I fish the lower allegheny
lock 2 in sharpsburgh
I catch a ton of cats below the dam
Wheres everyone else fish?

[bigpapa15206]

come on guys, i know we got some allegheny fishermen on here.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Hi Phillip, Just got myself re-registered for the "new look" B.O.C. Have you been catchin' any cats the last few days? I havn't been out since Thurs. night last week, caught 2 Flatheads 28 1/2" and 28" come on guys, i know we got some allegheny fishermen on here.

[bigpapa15206]

havent been out since sat but i got 4 flats and 4 channels. since i have started using shad i have been crushin!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Phillip - Where are you getting the shad? How large are the shad your using? Are you getting more action on the shad than on Bluegills? I catch them Mooneyes on occasion up in pool #7 where I fish, do you think they would be good bait? They seem like they are kinda fragile but I think they are a member of the shad family, some of them get up around 15" that I have caught.
It looks like a lot of our Pa. buddies havn't signed back up yet for the new B.O.C. Hopefully they will get back on here soon. I enjoy reading how everyone is doing on the local waters!

Josh - If you read this I need help again posting my member photo. I tried last night. I had it shrunk down to the right size but when I tried to download it's telling me it's not the right format.

[bigpapa15206]

I am getting them with a cast net at lock 2, they are 3-5", i was doing decent on the bluegills for a while but then i started using wipers. there are so many wipers where i fish, u can catch them on a bare hook without foul hooking them. They make an excellent flathead bait. i use the shad more so for channels, but that doesnt mean i wont get flats on them. i cut the shad in half and hook both halfs. I have never heard of mooneyes but if they are a member of the shad family im sure they will make excellent bait. the only thing about shad is they are soft and impossible to keep alive. AIM me if u wanna talk catfish or send me a PM if u wanna go fishing

[bigpapa15206]

aug 25 4pm-11pm
lock 2 sharpsburgh
cut shad
8 channels (5 being in the 10#range!)
0 flatheads :sad:
1 massive sheephead (about 15#s!)
1 billion wipers!!!! :p (if not a billion, pretty damn close to it)

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Wow Phillip! Your really kickin' butt down there at lock 2! I would like to join you sometime but it's really tough for me to plan things in advance between work, 4 teenage daughters and the wife. I usually get out on the weekend and take which ever of my female army who wants to go and head out on pool #7 on our pontoon. One of these days though I would like to try lock #2. How big are the wipers? Are you fishing from shore or boat? How close to the dam are you fishing? I hope one of us B.O.C. members can break the Flathead record. I like your motto about fishing for the record 3 - 4 times a week! Excellent attitude to have!

Hey, I finally figured out how to post my member photo! I tried a different picture and it worked with no problem. The other photo I was tryin' to use would not work?

[bigpapa15206]

just got back from the dominican republic and i cant wait to get into some catfights. Im gonna head down tommorow afternoon and go for some Bass........
white bass that is, for bait. If any one ever wants to join me gimme a buzz.

[bigpapa15206]

well when i said i cant wait i ment it! i ended up going tonight from 7pm till 9pm
the current was Really strong and I kept getting snags. All i got were 3 sheepshead and lost a few other fish due to all the snags. better luck tommorrow morning.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Fishing report - Thursday Sept. 1, 2005 - Allegheny River Pool #7. River came up from the recent rain and has a little color to it now. The wife and I started out fishing nightcrawlers and minnows we seined from the creek by our house. Caught a 9 1/2" Crappie, 2 Drum, 2 Whitebass & 1 Bluegill. I then used the 2 Whitebass and the Bluegill for bait on the big cat rods and caught 3 Flatheads in 30 mins. measuring 29", 22 1/2" & 21". I should have kept the Crappie for bait also but I didn't. We also caught a 15" Channel Cat right as we were leaving. Good evening of fishing considering we only fished from 6:45 PM till 8:30 PM

[bigpapa15206]

SAT SEPT 3 2005
LOCK 2 SHARPSBURGH
7AM-2PM
the water was fast and cool
2-4" shad on a slip rig
6 sheepshead all in the 10# area (due to the cooler water temps)
1 flathead about 8#
7 channel cats from 5-10# area
1 bluegill on a small jig
7 snaggle fish :cursing:

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Fishing Report - Sat. Sept. 3, 2005. Allegheny River Pool #7. I decided to wait till almost dark to go out because of the holiday weekend boat traffic. My 14 and 12 year old daughters came along. Dropped anchor at 8:30 PM and landed first Flathead at 8:47 PM. Fished till 2 AM took a 3 hour nap and fished from 5 AM till 9 AM. We caught 6 Flatheads - 32 1/2", 25", 24 1/2", 23 1/2", 23" and 20". 3 Channel Cats - 21 1/2", 21" and 20". All 9 Cats were caught on live Bluegills. The Flatheads were all caught at night and the Channels were all caught in the morning. Lost a couple others and missed quite a few. I pulled a small Channel to the surface that had the Bluegill in his mouth but not the hook and he wouldn't let go till I almost netted him and after he spit it out he hit again. I also witnessed 2 other Channels follow the Bluegill to the surface after I missed the strike and I was reeling quickly. The fish were hitting agressively. All fish were caught, photographed and released. Would have made a heck of a nice stringer!

[bigpapa15206]

Sept 5 2005
Lock 2 sharpburgh
3pm-8pm
cut shad and white bass
4 channels (smallest was a 3#, biggest was 12#)
1 sheepshead (11#)
1 flathead caught on a whole dead shad( 24#!)

[bigpapa15206]

we should change the name of this thread to Bigpapa15206 and PennsylvaniaCatchaser exchange fishing reports. Come on, Where are all my allegheny catfisherman?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Bigpapa - I was just thinkin' the same thing! Where did everyone go? Well I enjoy reading your fish reports, please keep them coming! I will continue to post my activity. I wish I could get out more but..... hopefully on Saturday!

[bigpapa15206]

im goin today and tommorow so. When you goin on sat? I would love to fish with a brother!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

bigpapa - I'm hopin' to get out this evening but it's not certain. It's my wedding anniversary weekend so i have to take care of the wife - dinner, movie or whatever. If we get back at a decent time I hope to head to the river but it's not certain. Would you be interested in going next Sat. evening?

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Big Papa! I live about 14minutes away from the dam we should hook up!

[bigpapa15206]

hey well if it isnt another pa catfisherman! ill be damned i knew we werent the only two catfisherman on the whole allegheny! Just send me a pm! im goin down today at 230 if you wanna hook up.

catchaser, i know how that whole situation goes and i would be lucky if i had any say so the whole weekend, lol!

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Yeah Big Papa,


we will more than likely be down! If that cool don't know how much fishing where gonna do it should be fun

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Or maybe not failed me math test :cry-big: :blush-big

[bigpapa15206]

Well cant help you there budy

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

No ones fault but my own! Did you get anything??

[bigpapa15206]

Got a few channels and two flats when it got dark. Tore my cast net to shreds on a tree stump so i didnt have enough bait. And i coudnt get any white bass for bait. Not one of my better days if you know what i mean :sad:

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Hey atleast you caught some fish! Better than not going at all. big Papa have those Idjits at the marina opened those gates? Like someone wants anything to do with there boats they have been there for 10 years? And the ones you might wana steal are behind another set?























Disclaimer! If anyone know or related to the Marina owner me is sorry!!

[bigpapa15206]

Wheres It All Goin Down?

[bigpapa15206]

Wheres It All Goin Down? I have been having some luck but things have slowed down since this whole castnet contraversy.

[tank3544]

yeah bigpapa i used to live in pa and i'm pretty sure the whole cast net deal is illegal

i used to go to the allegheny for a week during the summer every year with friends .. fish a day or 2 at kittanning then head up to franklin and fish up or downriver for the next 5 days .. mixing in smallmouth fishing during the day

this year was the first year we didn't get to do it since i moved .. sure do miss it!

[bigpapa15206]

No, i called the local and the headquarters and they both told me that i is legal but has to be 4ft dia. I love to fish for the smallmouth, they give a good fight for a bass,lol!

[tank3544]

no kidding .. and all that time i was a sucker and was fishing rod and reel for bait .. geez

[bigpapa15206]

What are some good spots to fish from a boat? And tactics?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Fishing report - Allegheny River, Pool #7 - Tuesday Oct.4, 2005. I caught 2 Flatheads - 25" & 22" on gills and 2 Channel Cats - 16 1/2" & 14 3/4" on nightcrawlers. I havn't been out much lately cause of Archery deer season but it was nice to hit the water again on a beautiful Oct. evening.
I tried fishing below the #8 dam. I anchored in about 30 ft. of water and ran into a big problem. I got snagged on every cast. Must be a lot of rocks & logs on the bottom. I caught the 22" Flatty here but had to move cause I was using up all my gills too quickly and breaking off 30# line a dozen times is not easy. I'm looking for help on how to fish this spot without hanging up every cast. Any input would be helpful.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Fishing Report - Oct.7,2005 - Allegheny River - Lock & Dam #8. Fished out in the rain from 2 PM till 6:45 PM. Caught 3 Channel Cats - 23 1/2", 23" & 17" all on gills. Also had the big one that got away, snapped off 30# test, I must of had a rough spot on the line from a snag or something because I don't feel like I over pressured the fish but it made a power lunge and snap it went, I was anchored in 37 ft. of water and didn't even get a look at the brute before the line parted, oh well get 'em next time!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

I forgot to mention that I tried the 3-way swivel rig and it helped a lot as I was mostly snapping off the sinker instead of the whole rig. I have 30# test main line and leader to the hook and 10# test to the sinker.

[bigpapa15206]

I was gonna suggest that. Hey let me know the next time you plan a trip

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Bigpapa - I'm hoping next weekend to get out, maybe Fri. night-all night-depending on the weather. If I can do the Fri. deal your welcome to join me. I will be heading to Lock & Dam #8. I didn't make it there all year till this past week and now I'm kickin' myself cause I think there are some big Cats up at the dam.

[bigpapa15206]

How would we be fishing? Can i bring someone?

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

can I come :-P please

[bigpapa15206]

this is strictly pros, no amatures allowed. Do you have a permission slip? howd you do today?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

bigpapa - We would be fishing from my 24ft. pontoon boat. Bring a sleeping bag, if you get tired you can take a nap. I usually don't last all night so I crawl in the bag for a couple hours of sleep. You can bring a quest but 3 is about the most I like onboard at one time. We would be getting in each others way if there was more than 3. I have a full enclosure on the boat which helps a lot if it rains. Let me know if your interested.

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

We did horrible yesterday and remember those kids that were throwing rocks they thought it was funny I didn't..... I think that as it stays cooler it will get better, like you said!

[bigpapa15206]

So they were throwing rocks? not to sound cocky or nothin, but funny how they didnt throw them when i was over there. Thats what makes me never fish from shore. N

[catchinghogs]

The mon river is the one to fish i could show you some places

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

naw you just look to be 25 and 6inched taller than I am. Maybe that hand something to do with or maybe the fact you keep a knife at your side or maybe it was thew fact that they couldn't have thrown to were you were

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Catchinhogs,


Is there any chance maybe we can hook up this weekend or something???

[bigpapa15206]

Well if they are down there next time we hook up just point em out buddy. bet they never do it again. I went down yesterday and only got one.......................did i mention it was a 20# flatty! Josh i am currnetly trying to assemble a western PA Big Cat hunting crew would you like to help us catch shad? lol :p

[bigpapa15206]

O and i forgot to mention
HERE WE GO STEELERS!!

[bigpapa15206]

Had a great night with a Brother last night (fishnfella) We got 10 flatties! He pulled in 2 big one in the mornng 30 and 36". i got there at 730pm til 10pm and i got 3 flats, two being about 20#s and one about 13#. he got 4 flats all respectful.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Anybody catchin' any Cat's on the Allegheny? The weather has been really bad, just wonderin' if anyone is having any luck?

[bigpapa15206]

here We Go Steelers!!!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Bigpapa - I agree! Here we go Steelers! We need to get the Pen's goin'. I fished this evening in the cold rain from 4PM till 5:40PM. Caught 1 Channel Cat about 12" and 1 Rockbass about 9" both on nightcrawlers.

[fishnfella]

Anyone catching anything out there? Seems like the water cooled off and turned them off...

[bigpapa15206]

yeh but nothing big enough to brag about, lol. I have been gettin some small walley and sauger. Ill be going fri 3pm till whenever and sat all day. Hope to see ya there paul.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Went out this evening on pool #7 from 4:30PM till 7:00PM, all I caught was 1 Walleye 12 1/2" on a floating jighead tipped with a fathead.

[fishnfella]

Phil, might bring the boat down Saturday..I'll give you a call...

[huskyjerk#12]

I know a good spot if u wanna catch some big flats and chaannels the yachut club reply for more info ;)

[huskyjerk#12]

Outher the Phil does anyone in the allegeny like fishin for walleye because this seems like it going to be a great season any good spots that anyone knows about let me know please :)

[Bucktail033]

It seems to me that the cats are deep for the winter and will be few and far between for the big flatheads. The water temp is extremely low. Far below average for this year. I'll still be trying though. Haha

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

On a day like today people down on lock 2 should have been catchning some great walleye. Never really fish for 'eyes myself but would like to make a trip to erie sometime maybe. They sure do taste good though... Never had them from the river. ;)

[huskyjerk#12]

:) :) Ive been killing the walleye this year and sauger but ive been hittin them on husky jerks and jigs and glass shad raps!

[Bucktail033]

Some friends and I have been fishing lock 2 heavily and the biggest we've caught were a 30 inch 10 pounder and a 23 incher. We dont keep them though im not too big on eating fish out of the river below lock 3.

[huskyjerk#12]

:o please people im telling u im a die hard walleye fan soo if u want any info on the great walleye fishing of lock 3 ask me

[huskyjerk#12]

I've got this good freind of mine Ed Moan :rolleyes: and he allways knows the best spots around soo u kno if u need help ask me and hell post :glare:

[huskyjerk#12]

I've saw 3 30inch walley One of them was 9 pd and two 8 but ive expereinced a 10 ounder myself all at lock 2 ask me about it

[Bucktail033]

Walleye, Sauger and Those Slab Crappie all have been aiming towards the hooks with the live bait down at Lock 2 these past couple of days. A couple nice Walleye were caught yesterday 33" and a 26". Another angler was pounding the crappie, two or three were dinner plate sized. That's pretty nice.

[bigpapa15206]

how and were was he getting the crappies. Whats your name? I fish lock 2 very often.

[Bucktail033]

Phil ive met you before my names ed i fish with charlie and chet. I only caught like three crappie and that was like 2 wks ago. But i havent had any luck down there this week ive been down there almost everyday with Jay and his buddy but the water was really high and i think Jay only caught like 1 sauger that i remember. He was using chubs and i was using 1/4 jig heads with powerbait grubs 3".

[Bucktail033]

That guy that was pounding them said they were crappie but i think most of them were wipers but the big ones were crappie. I caught a 16 incher but thats the only big one i caught. Im almost 100% sure they were wipers but he was on the wall so i couldnt tell you for sure.

[bigpapa15206]

I wasnt even there and i can tell you they were wipers, for a fact. aint no way in hell he would be bangin crappie in that fast ice cold shallow water below that damn. Did he tell you they were crappie?

[Bucktail033]

yeah he says to me "Yeah i caught about ten crappie up there." i was skeptical. haha. I caught one 16" in the mid november but thats the only ive caught this fall/winter. each of my buddies caught one too but they were smaller.

[blackburnian]

I live in the city of Pittsburgh and have been fishing the Allegheny River since I was in 8th Grade. I was out of fishing for about 10 years, but I am getting back into it. I see that catfishing has really come on strong in the time I was away from fishing. This is a great web site. I used to fish small Bluegills for bait at night around 1990. Of course I caught Flatheads.
I like Lock #3 near Harmar (aka Harmarville) and of course I have my personal spots. I fished Lock #2 (Highland Park) years ago. Do they allow public access now? It used to be a private marina.
I caught a 40 inch American Eel locally a few days ago. What a surprise! I believe that a 50 Pound Flathead will be caught in western PA by the end of 2007. I would love to chat with others who are trying.

[FlatheadMan]

Scott,Welcome to the site bro Im just down the river from ya in rochester there are some other guys on here from up your way also.

[blackburnian]

I am getting closer to my 10 posts so I can see the pics. I am getting back into fishing the lower Allegheny River after about 10 years off during which I was obessed with Birding (aka bird-watching). Birding and Fishing have a lot in common, but that's another topic.
About the Combos. I just bought a Cabelas Salt Striker Baitfeeder/ King Kat Combo, the #40 Reel and 7 foot rod. My next Catfishing Combo will be a bigger one for heavier line and heavier rigs. I FISH FROM SHORE ONLY. I have spent hours reading this web site, but would prefer tips from experienced locals. My catfishing could take me anywhere from the Montgomery Dam on the Ohio up to the Tarentum Dam on the Allegheny. I learned fishing with 6 foot spinning combos and it's a big change going to 10 foot heavy rods and heavy reels. I do not think I will go the baitcasting route, unless you can convince me it's the way to go.
Any help?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

I am getting closer to my 10 posts so I can see the pics. I am getting back into fishing the lower Allegheny River after about 10 years off during which I was obessed with Birding (aka bird-watching). Birding and Fishing have a lot in common, but that's another topic.
About the Combos. I just bought a Cabelas Salt Striker Baitfeeder/ King Kat Combo, the #40 Reel and 7 foot rod. My next Catfishing Combo will be a bigger one for heavier line and heavier rigs. I FISH FROM SHORE ONLY. I have spent hours reading this web site, but would prefer tips from experienced locals. My catfishing could take me anywhere from the Montgomery Dam on the Ohio up to the Tarentum Dam on the Allegheny. I learned fishing with 6 foot spinning combos and it's a big change going to 10 foot heavy rods and heavy reels. I do not think I will go the baitcasting route, unless you can convince me it's the way to go.
Any help?

Scott - I prefer spinning gear also. My favorite Flathead rods are the Bass Pro Catmaax series. I like the 9 ft. med/hev for using Bluegill and other bait up to about 8". I go to the 10 ft. hev action rod when I start tossing big baits 9" and larger. Seeing that you do all your fishing from shore the longer rods will help with casting distance. As far as reels go I am retro man as I use the old vintage Garcia Mitchell reels. The saltwater reels - 302, 402, 306, 406, 386, 486, 488 are all excellent choices should you happen to have an interest in retro gear. I prefer 30# and 40# test for Flatheads. You can catch them on lighter line but they are not line shy and if you are fishing around cover that heavier line can save a break off, plus if you latch onto a real hog that heavy line will be your best friend!!!

[blackburnian]

Thank you for the response. I am working my way up to the longer and stouter rods. I just might take the plunge to baitcasting next year. I am afraid of backlash though, and I like my reel balanced on bottom instead of having to support it on top.

[ROCKS N ROOTS]

Hi,

I will be up on the ALG between Tidioute and Tionesta. I know the river well there.....however I have never been able to get a good read on where or if there is big cat action up there. Anybody have any suggestions. thanks.

Brian