Awesome day 4/16 - Catfish season is here!!!

[cmoran719]

Had a crazy day. My friend and I started out in the morning on the muskie and got 3 brook trout before my reel started malfunctioning and we decided to head somewhere else.

Went over to Spruce Run. First spot got a nice largemouth 2lbs 12oz on a shiner within 30 minutes. Decided to move to another spot that was more "bassy." Within 10 minutes one of our rods doubled over. Fish was a 23 inch 5.5 lb channel cat. We were both wading in the water throwing lures for bass at the time and we ran as fast as we could through the water to the pole 40 feet away, I swear the pole was about to fly out of its holder by the time we got to it. Rest of the day was non-stop action, all on shiners. We managed 9 catfish (5 channels, 4 whites), 1 LMB, 3 brookies, 1 yellow perch, and a 30 inch 6.5 lb PIKE! (not to mention a whole lotta bites that didn't take)

So refreshing after a long winter of skunkings and 1 to 2 fish outings. It's safe to say catfish season is in full swing at Spruce Run (they were loaded with roe btw)

PS: we went back at night after a break for dinner and filleting. Got at least 6 bites, including one that bent my friends rod tip right into the water and almost took it, but nothing got hooked. It was bizarre. Still managed 1 cat and a perch in that time, but the missed hits were so frustrating. The fish would bite and then disappear. Also saw a boat bowfishing for carp using a bunch of crazy bright lights to see in the water. Looked like a ton of fun and they were catching some pretty big ones.







Friend put the biggest one in his fish tank: