Post Your Pa. Catfish Photo's From 2005

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Happy New Year to all! I thought it would be nice now that's it 2006 to reflect back on the 2005 season by sharing some catfish photo's with each other. I'll go first.

[the_nis]

Hey Scott, nice lookin fish!

Honestly, I wish I had some good pictures from last year but I don't think I caught any picture worthy catfish. That just means I'll have to catch twice as many this year!

Happy New Year!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - I think 2006 is gonna be a great year for Catfishin' here in Pa. I learned a lot in 2005 from experience on the water and this website. Can't wait to get out and chase them big un's, I'm excited already. I may go nuts waiting for spring to get here. Here's a few more photo's from 2005.

[the_nis]

Hey Scott,

I'm hoping that this year will produce more fish than last. One big problem last year was the fact that I didn't get out nearly as much as I would have liked. So I'm hoping that you're right and 2006 is a great year!!!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - Your right, being able to get out as much as you would like is the hard part of fishing. Once you do get out, having a good plan of attack sure helps alot. I plan on spending as many nights on the boat as I can in 2006. Well , as many as my wife will let me anyway, lol! :rolleyes: Actually my wife has been learning to fish. She got her first ever fishing license in 2005. Here's a photo of her biggest Catfish of the year. I had to hold it up for her, she wasn't puttin' her fingers in "that things mouth".

[the_nis]

Scott,

Its cool that you got your wife into fishing. Thats what I need to find, a girl that fishes!

The last couple of years have been rather disappointing for me fishing-wise. I only fish from shore because I don't have a boat. The spots that I usually always did well at seem to be "dead" spots now. Me and my buddies have even tried new spots with little to no luck. So hopefully my luck will turn around this year!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - Yeah, that's tough being stuck on shore. That's the way I was for many years. Biggest problem is everyone knows the best shore spots and just pound them locations. It's still possible to do well from the river bank, just tougher than being on a boat. I spent a lot of time studying my depth finder while moving around on the pool I fish this past summer. I think I located a couple spots that have some real potential for holding some big Cat's. We shall see if my feelings are correct. The Pa. Flathead Record is just begging to be broken. It came from the Allegheny River back in 1980, 43 lbs. 5 oz. I'm gonna try my best to threaten it! I'll get you and Josh out and if you like the way I fish we can perhaps hook up on occassion.

[the_nis]

Sounds good to me! Like you said, you can do good from shore but all the good spots are usually so packed with people that its usually not enjoyable after awhile. For example, Highland Park Dam is known for holding a lot of nice walleye. Right before I had my surgery, we were getting up at 3 o'clock in morning just so we could get doen there and get a good spot. By noon, it wasn't even worth being there because guys were coming down and squeezing in wherever thus tangling line, etc. VERY FRUSTRATING!!! But, I'm sure I'll have a blast if we go out on your boat. It will be a nice change of scenery for me! All this talk is killing me! I wish winter was over already!

[bigpapa15206]

man i got to many to post! I any one wants to see them just email me bigpapa15206@gmail and ill send them to ya.

[bigpapa15206]

yeah H.P. dam does get a lil crowded around walleye season but on them hot summer days people come and go down. My biggest problem was trying NOT to catch alot of fish while people were around! People would see me up on that wall nailin em and pack up all there stuff and try and figure oyut how to get up there.

[the_nis]

Hey Phil,

Do you usually fish from shore or a boat?

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Jason,


I know i fish from the shore you ever fish the dam in sharpsburgh. That were we both fish!!

[bigpapa15206]

i fish from shore, them cats wudnt stand a chance if i had a boat!

[the_nis]

The dam in sharpsburgh...Isn't that Highland Park Dam?

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

Yes that what I meant!

[the_nis]

Yeah, I haven't been there too much during the summer, mainly during the walleye months, like I said. So do you guys mainly fish off the wall or from the shoreline?

[Gone fishin 4 kittys]

I like to fish from the wall mostly can be a tough to get a spot

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

C'mon bigpapa, toss a couple photo's on here. I know you caught some big fish in 2005. I don't expect you to put them all on but pick out a few of your favorites.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Hey Jason - I'm curious about your member name - the_nis - what does it mean or stand for?

[the_nis]

Josh,

Do you try to keep your bait as close to the dam as possible. Must be tough...I do see a lot of fish caught from up there though.

[the_nis]

Scott,

No one has asked me that in awhile! Too stupid and embarrassing to post! I will tell you if we hook up this summer! LOL!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

OK - Must be a classic! :D

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Geez guys! Am I the only person who takes a camera with them Catfishing? Here's a few more from 2005.

[the_nis]

Scott, where were most of these cats caught?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - All Cat's were from pool #7 where my boat is docked.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

I should mention that they were all caught, photographed and released!

[the_nis]

Geez, all that luck in the same spot...Thats awesome!!! Kinda convenient that its right where your boat is docked. I'm just shocked, thats all. I see all the pictures that you're posting from ONE year. Makes me reconsider everything. What am I doing wrong? Oh well, I think I need to get a boat for starters!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - I fished for big Cat's intentionally all year. I went out with big gear, big bait, etc. I slept out on my boat a bunch of times, often by myself, tryin for big Cat's. I am also a camera buff so I take lot's of pictures. Most photo's were taken with the camera on a tripod using the timer. I got about 8 seconds to pick up fish, pose and smile. If you do most of your fishin' down by the 'burgh you would be surprised how much less pressure is on the water up my way. Yes, you need to get out on a boat, my best spots are not fishable from shore.

[the_nis]

What kind of rig (hook and sinker-wise) do you use? Pictures?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - The fact that your up at 2:30AM talking Catfish is impressive to me. You might make a darn good Catchasin' partner. You ever try nettin' a 33" Flathead by yourself at 3AM, fishing rod in one hand, fish thrashing around, net in other hand, flashlight between legs, quite a challenge. I take my daughters with me when I can but I often go alone.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

The rig I used most often this past year was 30# test yellow stren main line threaded through a egg sinker from 1oz. to 3oz. depending on the current tied to a large barrel swivel, then a 20" leader of clear 30# test stren leading to a 7/0 kahle hook with a 6" to 8" Bluegill for bait.

[the_nis]

Its pretty impressive that you do all that yourself! I almost never go fishing by myself. I'm not sure why. I usually go with the same two guys but one of them got married this past summer and one is getting married this summer coming up. And you know how that goes, they are available less and less. I used to go with my dad all the time too but his work schedule is crazy so we hardly ever go together anymore. I guess I'm just gonna have to get used to fishing by myself!

[the_nis]

Oh and anytime you need a Catchasin' partner, I'll be there!

That rig sounds very similar to the one I use. I use 30# Power Pro as my main line. I use 1-3oz no roll sinkers. The main line is tied to a steel leader (there is a separate debate I have going about this under "general catfishing") I usually use 6/0 or 7/0 Kahle hooks.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - Well, yeah it's definetly more fun to go with friends, family, etc. but when I can't get anyone to go I head out by myself because I often work 12 hr. shifts and weekends during the summer so when I get the chance to go, I'm gone. I guess I just love chasin' them big Cat's. It is so darn peaceful out on the river at night, kinda like being in your own little world at times and then that pole baited with a big gill bends over and wow it's so awesome...
Well bro I'm goin' to bed, talk to you later. I'll probably dream of catchin' a big Flathead! :D Goodnite!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - How do you like the no-roll sinkers, I've never tried them? Judging by the name I assume they hold bottom better than an egg sinker. Do they snag easier than an egg sinker? Do you have a mold for the no-rolls? I have about a dozen different sinker molds but not a no-roll. If you want we can hook up one of these upcoming weekends and make a bunch of sinkers and take a ride to where I fish so you can check out the area in person and maybe pick out some other likely looking areas I may be overlooking. I just picked up about 30# of lead. I have a jig mold also if you need to make any jigs, just bring hooks. Let me know if your interested. Well, I gotta leave for work, I'll check back here after midnite.

[the_nis]

Scott, I like the no roll sinkers. It doesn't seem like I get snagged as much as I used to when I wasn't using them. They do, in my opinion, hold a little better than egg sinkers. I don't have a mold for them. I never got into making my own. As soon as I'm off these crutches, I'll definitely meet up with you. I'd like to see the whole sinker making process and checking out where your spot is would be cool.

[the_nis]

Hey Scott, where do you get your lead from? Is it free?

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Wow, the National Championship Football game had an awesome finish! I got home from work in time to catch the last 6 minutes. Congrats to the Longhorn's and their fans! Great Comeback!

Jason - Sounds like a plan, let me know when you get off the crutches and we will get together. I might buy one of them no roll sinker molds and give them a try. I enjoy making sinkers, I'll teach you how it's done, it's not hard once you have the equipment. We can knock you out a couple hundred sinkers in a short amount of time.

[the_nis]

Yes I will definitely let you know when I am more mobile! I'd like to learn how to make my own sinkers. Just as long as I can get the lead free or cheap...

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Jason - the 30# of lead I just got was free from a buddy who saves it for me from where he works. Most tire dealers will sell there used tire weights pretty cheap, sometime I get my lead that way.

[delawareriver]

only if i was in the out west i could get some flatts for myself, ill post a few decent channel cats if i can find the camera and get the pictures developed

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

delawareriver - please post them Channel Cat photo's. I started this thread hopin' everyone from Pa. would share their Catfish photo's but so far it hasn't happened. This time of year I like to read a lot about fishin' and prepare for the upcoming season. I thought seeing other Pa. Catfisherman's photo's would be inspiring.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

A couple more photo's from 2005. Channel Cat's.

[the_nis]

delawareriver,

Post those pictures! Its always good to see what everyone else is catching!!!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

A few more 2005 Cat photo's.

[the_nis]

Scott,

Great pics! Looks like you did pretty good last year!

[Rockjumper]

Pennsylvania cat catcher, your name fits you well. By the looks of your picks, you have an exellent set up. I too, when catfishing usually stay out all night. Nothing like waking up to the sound of "clicker". I will try to post some pics also. The size of your fish are intimadating!!!LOL!

[Rockjumper]

I meant to say, instead of "Pennsylvaniacatchaser" it should be "pennsylvaniacatcatcher"!!!!LOL

[Rockjumper]

I didn't have to many good digital pictures. The catfish you see have all been released back to the river. One of the pictures is of my "floating livewell". The picture of the catfish in the cooler is what I use to transport them to the wiegh in when I enter a tournament. There is one flathead and two channels. I will have to dig around and see what other pictures I can find. Come on summer, I want to go catt'in!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Thanks for the kind words. I love night fishin' for Cat's!!! Great photo's you posted. I love the floating livewell you made! I've been trying to come up with something like that for my boat. I may just steal your idea if you don't mind. I want to have something large enough that if I was lucky enough to catch a state record size Cat I could keep it alive, get it to the proper fish commission person to be weighed, documented, etc. and then taken back to the river to be released.

[Rockjumper]

All I did was take a big tote box and put pvc pipe on the side for floation. built a frame inside. I can even pull it around the river at low speeds. If you would like more detailed pictures I could email you some if interested. The second time that I used it, I got my largest cat, a 23lber. It was 37" and it took up the whole tub. The tub is 40"long.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Here's a few more from 2005. Note the ugly mug on the guy holding the pretty Cat in the third photo, LOL!

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Yes I would like a few more photo's of your livewell design. I'll send you a PM with my email address. Thank you!

[Rockjumper]

Mr. Pennsylvaniacatchaser, you have mail......

[Catfish_Commando]

Gents,

Just a reminder that you can create a photo gallery below:

http://www.catfish1.com/gallery/index.php?

And the actual size alloted is much larger than the size allotted for attachments. Then if wished, you could link directly to the image in your gallery.

Gallery names must be the exact screen-name that you uses to create an account on the BOC.

Thanks,
Paul

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Catfish Commando - Thanks for the info. I'm just about out of 2005 photo's but maybe for 2006 I'll start a photo gallery.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Thank you for sending me the photo's of your Catfish livewell design! I really appreciate it. That's a great idea you came up with! I think I will be making one for myself.

[Rockjumper]

Anytime pennsylvaniacatchaser, I posted more pictures on the general catfishing board. Thought maybe someone else could use some ideas. I saw several ideas that people shared, and I am sitting here saying "why didn't I think of that!" Need any help, just ask. It has worked great for me.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Where do you live? We should hook up sometime for some catfishin'. I've already made plans to hook up with the_nis and josh, sounds like you would fit right in with us all!

[the_nis]

Took the words right out of my mouth Scott!

[Rockjumper]

Sounds like a plan, I will catch the small ones!lol I am from the East Brady, Parker area.

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Rockjumper - Do you do any fishing on the Allegheny River from East Brady down to Templeton? I have a real interest in that stretch of river and was just wondering if you ever fish there?

[Rockjumper]

Just starting to fish a little in the East Brady area. As for knowing it or anything down river, I can't help ya much. All I can say is what I have seen some of that river and looks good. I have talked to some fisherman that have fished that section and done really good. I myself have been doing a little scouting on that section.

[catchinghogs]

here are som pics hope i did it right

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

catchinghogs - Nice Flathead! I don't think you sized the photo correctly though because it's small when clicking the link. You can make the photos up to 500 x 400 to work on here. I recommend using the IrfanView program, it makes sizing photos easy. If you need help let me know, it took me awhile to figure out how to do it.

[Brett2]

Here are some catfish caught from the Schuylkill River in SE PA. I have a lot more pictures but am having trouble getting them working. My avatar is my first flathead, a 33 inch catfish (i think). Pictured below is a 15 pound carp (PB).. 16lb flathead (one of my PBs).. and a channel about 25 inches. I was having trouble getting the pictures the right size, but you can still see the fish pretty good..... can't wait until it gets warmer so I can go fishing again.

[jigerjim]

It's funny I lived in S E Pa. for 67 year's. 4 year's ago I moved to N.E.Pa., we have great Channal Cat fishing up here on the Suskie. I never though I'd see the day I'd want to back down there to fish agen. But them Flathead's are getting the best of me. I dont think they were there when I lived there. I think I'm see a road trip this summer.

[Brett2]

http://www.catfish1.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=6&userid=1319

this is the gallery of some of the fish from 2005 that i have pictures of

~Brett

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Brett2 - Welcome to the B.O.C. :0a25: Some nice catches you made, good job! Thanks for posting the photos!