Potomac River catfish
 

I did a combo trip on the Potomac with my dad this week. The first day was spent hitting up the creeks for largemouths, but that was a complete bust! Five bass between us and the guide, and the biggest was maybe 2 pounds. Even the snakeheads weren't biting. The second day (or rather night) was spent soaking chunks of gizzard shad for big blue cats. We set up on the first spot, and about 30 minutes in one of the rods goes down. I start winding, and it feels like I'm tied into a pissed off refrigerator!

I know we throw words like "monster" and "beast" around on this forum a lot. But when this thing broke the water at the side of the boat, I can't even describe how massive it looked! It looked like a manatee, or a pre-teen child. It was, in every sense of the word, a beast. So we get the deluxe catfish into the net and bring it aboard. By the guide's scale, it goes a hair under 40 pounds, the biggest fish I had ever caught by far, and a great way to start the evening!

After that the action was pretty steady for about two hours, with five more cats coming into the boat, including a 36 pounder caught by my dad (also the biggest fish of his life). Unfortunately around 11:00 the bite inexplicably died, with barely a bite until we were off the water at 3:00 AM.

All things considered the trip was a bit of a disappointment, but catching those big cats was definitely worth the trip down. Photos are below, if anyone wants the contact info for the guides we fished with can send me a PM.

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

Those two cats are huge!! :eek:

Sounds like an awesome trip even if the first day was underwhelming. Another great report, please keep them coming, I'm definitely a fan of these and your videos!

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

Those are some true blue monsters.......looks like an awesome trip to share with your father.

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

Don't be disappointed in that trust me! Me and my buddies did that trip a few years back and we caught blue cats all day as long as the tides permitted and our biggest ones were only 10 lbs. two big ones, one for each! Nice trip!

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

Those are some real beasts for sure!!!!
I have yet to catch a Pissed off refrigerator but I have hooked a couple run away trains over the years!!!
Congrats beautiful cats and Q time with dad!!!!

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

Another nice trip on the water. Those are some GINORMOUS RIVER MONSTERS. Man, I can't wait to wrestle one of those things. Great report buddy!:D

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

"pre -teen child" Haha
Great pics- looks like you guys had fun.

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

I would take a trip like that any day of the week. Never caught a blue cat but man are they some amazing pics. Never realized they had blue cats in the Potomac. Some experience and being able to share it with your dad just puts it over the top! Must be some real monster blues in there even bigger than the two brutes you guys caught. Great job!

If you don't mind sharing, what kind of rig did you use? Was it as hi / low, or single hook with a slip sinker? Again great catch. Not every day you pull an ~40lb fish from fresh water. Or even salt water for that matter........amazing!

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

The guide showed me a photograph of a 77 pounder one of his clients caught earlier in the summer. He says the biggest cat he has heard of out of the Potomac was 92 pounds! :eek:

The rig was a single circle hook and a weight, nothing tricky at all.

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

OMG Monstah CATS !!!!!! Sweet !!!

Re: Potomac River catfish
 

My largest blue is 42lbs and you explained it perfectly a pissed off refrigerator! Awesome job, hopefully next trip you tie into one of the 60-70 lbers I hear about on the potomac