New to this area for fishing, Need info and advice on where to go to locate cats in this general area. Got plenty of room in boat if someone is interested. Live in North Gloucester and have just stated fishing this area. Went out Friday, on 5-7, and caught croaker, but would like to get on the cats. Thanks, Kenny!
West Point Area Help!
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Welcome! I am not familiar with that area so can't provide any help but Im sure you will find alot of info on this site!
Hey Doug, I am also catching small cats wiht the same shrimp that I am catching croakers with. Looking for more size on cats, probably need cut bait. Have tried cut small croakers with no luck. Been catching croakers in 20 feet of water near edge of channel's. Thanks for info, Kenny!
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Do you have a gill net? Shrimp and hot dogs work sometimes but the crabs in that area will be driving you crazy by next month. Cut bait is the way to go but frozen does not work half as well as fresh. Squid will work well also but again the crabs like it as much as the cats and the croakers. I have the same problems at times because my wife won't eat a croaker, only cats.
Doug, I have a 5' cast net, but have not thrown it this year, yet. I was hoping fresh cut croaker would suffice as cut bait. Will throw the net next time out. How do crabs work as bait? Have seen on topo maps where the deep holes are, but figured the cats are not settled in them yet. If the wind would cooperate I would fish 2 or 3 times a week. I hope to figure this all out with time and help from ya'll. thanks, Kenny!
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Crabs dont seem to work well as far as I've seen. Besides if they started eating crabs they will never be hungry. Have caught some on soft shells but not alot. Wife talked me into fishing a night tounament in Hopeweel this weekend but maybe we can get together soon and show you how to use a gill net for your bait. They are not very expensive and easy to use. Shad and herring are to fast for a small cast net. I carry a 10ft but can normally set the gill net for about 10 minutes and get enough bait for 8 poles to last all day. Have heard of some 10s and 20s being caught down river nest to the tower.
Never tried a gill net, but it sounds like the ticket. I thought a 5' cast net was small, but when you throw it some trying to learn, you had better be a real man. Salesman at BPS said to start small while learning. I know I need to match the hatch for what they are eating. A neighbor told me today that he has been buying eel's and they work better than anything else for him. He has been catching cats on the Mattaponi from the bank. I live in North Gloucester and would like to learn from someone who knows and has experience in this area. I'm a former bass fisherman who wants to change my ways. We will hook up at your convience just let me know. Thanks again for the help, Kenny!
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Most of the veterans have told me that a large cast net is much easier to use because it opens up better..........Either way, I was unable to successfully throw a small, large, or parachute size! Gave it up and now am a proud gill net owner
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the blues are going to be upriver of the croaker most times the salinity of the water seems to be the major factor never fished the west point rivers but have fished the chick for over 20 years soon the bite will come to a halt because of spawn hope this helps you find the fish i'd fish upriver now before the bite stops "steve"
Steve, I am not familiar when the spawn will take place on these rivers. I guess the spawn will start as the optimal temp gets right. Do you back off catfishing during this period or change tactics? I can always switch to croaker because my wife is having a ball catching them. We have been fishing mouth of the York and action has been good. I still can't wait until she hooks into a large cat though. Thanks, Kenny!
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Well your friend is right at time about eels. This week end at Hopewell we started out with one eel out and seven with shad. No bites the whole night on shad and we finished with eels on all. Eels run anywhere from $22 to $26 per dozen and dont work any better then shad in most areas. With a small 50ft gill net for about $60 to $80 dollars you can get all the shad you need for the next couple of years. Also as many croakers as you can eat if you want to do it that way. A gill net permit is $9.00. Now shad will work most of the time on the James and the Patomac but have had about no luck on the Rappahannock. The York is between them so you can be our new reporter in the field. YES the spawn screws everything up for the big ones, bite is about half at best. We like having them around and don't want to bother them very much. This weekend was most likely my last trip. The large fish are more bothered by salinity. If you go up river to about any place you can catch a large mouth then you will find the big cats. Small cats don't mind it as much.
Doug, how long in your opinion will the spawn last? Will fish for croaker if the bite is off for cats. Will probably CAR most cats anway until I'm ready for a fish fry this summer. Maybe you can show me how to use a gill net sometime soon. I have never seen anybody use one up close. I just need enough shad for a day of catfishing. Thanks, Kenny!
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I asked that question myself and the pros told me that the spawn should be over by about mid June. Males will be the first ones to start biting. The problem then will be water temps. The fish will slow down when the temp gets to high. The night time will be the time to fish if you can stand the bugs. Two thermocells at each end of the boat works but only if there is no wind. Personaly I prefer a good breeze and some bug spray. But remember that that it will effect the small cats the least so you should be able to find some eaters around all the time. Anything over about 6lbs will taste like sh*t. Will get in touch next time I get your way and take you gill netting and maybe find a big deep hole with one in it. Send me a PM with your phone #
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