Channel Catfish

**Nathan Sampson** · 10-20-2011, 04:10 PM

What is most peoples problem with channel cats on here. I have caught them all my life and they eat extremely well. I was just curious why some people do not like them.

**festus** · 10-20-2011, 04:24 PM

I like all of the species of cats, even bullheads if they come from clean creeks. But I seldom eat a fish that weighs over 5 lbs. I just don't like big thick hunks of fish, actually I prefer they are less than 3-4 lbs. Some of the best catfish I ever ate was in Florida at an off the wall restaurant. They were served with bones intact, head cut off and skinned with tails left on. They were probably channel cats half a pound or so.

**BUDMEISER01** · 10-20-2011, 04:51 PM

I don't think people dislike Channels, rather they target Blues and Flatheads because of their potential size. There are alot of trophy hunters here, but I will take anything that bites my hook and if is a trophy that is all the better.

**Dougg** · 10-20-2011, 06:49 PM

I fish two big poles for the Trophy's and always a smaller Pole with a 1/0 hook just for Channels. Caught five Channels Sat. biggest was five pounds and the smallest about five inches, LOL. I do like to eat the Smaller Channels
Doug S.

**colten** · 10-21-2011, 03:18 PM

I will eat a channel cat in a heart beat. Give me some cornmeal and stand back.

**rwg** · 10-21-2011, 04:18 PM

Theres nothing wong about channels, I fish for them alot because its my only choise with out driving a long ways.
I agree lots of tropy hunters on here, and I'm still trying for a big fish also, but I'll take a 10lb channel any time.
besides a 10 channel will out fight a 10 lb blue or flat any day of the week

**WIcatter** · 10-21-2011, 10:24 PM

IIts a trophy thing. I think its the same with deer hunting. I know numerous hunters that only save the rack and give the rest away or dump it.
Personally I would rather catch a dozen channels in 4-5 hours time and eat them rather than spend 4-5 hours with only a chance a catching a trophy blue or flat. Also is the fact there are no blues around here and I would have to travel a good distance for the chance of a flat. I also fish from the bank which also limits possibilities. I also spend less money on gear since heavy duty expensive stuff is not needed. I've spent less money on 3 setups than most have spent on one.
This is not to say I dont want to catch huge fish, I do, but is not a priority. I also love the surprise of "incedentals" like carp, suckers, sheepshead, smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, muskie, and burbot, just to name a few I have caught while fishing for channels.
I just like to catch fish........

**Fishsmoke** · 10-23-2011, 09:25 PM

I fish for whatever bites. There was a time in my life when the trophy meant everything for me, whether it was a deer or a fish. Now, I just count it a successful day if I get to spend a few hours on the river watching the world pass by. If I catch a fish, so much the better.

**mudsling79** · 10-23-2011, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by BUDMEISER01

I don't think people dislike Channels, rather they target Blues and Flatheads because of their potential size. There are alot of trophy hunters here, but I will take anything that bites my hook and if is a trophy that is all the better.

X2 but if it is a dink channel and it takes my hook im still happy as long as the skunk stays away