Catfishing Illinois

This is a trip to the Mississippi River the last week in September. We used "dip cheese" bait. You use a silicone bait shaped like a tube with the string running through the middle lengthwise of the bait. It has a trebble hook on the end. The cheese bait actually made from the by product of bleu cheese. Its sticky and adhears to the bait. Since catfish are bottom feeders and use smell to find their food the smell of the bait is what attracks them. This bait works best in warmer water in later summer.

The fish we caught were channel catfish. They are called channel because thats where you find them. They feed in moving water thus the channel of the stream.

The conditions were tough because of the rain and the brisk winds in the south made it tougher. The toughest part of all though was looking at those two old fat people that looked like they escaped from a nursing home. If you can stand it than so can I.

http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=42739&CID=132004

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I tought I taw a talaban

Excellent post and video, Swede! Very Happy

Very good video tutorial on cleaning cats.

Well done! Wink

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"Asinus sæculæ maximus."

That brings back memories...............

I am going to have to ask what is your receipe for cooking those catfish

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SURVIVAL..........it's all in your head

Im going to fry them up maybe today or tomorrow. Ill put up a tutioral.

I cut the bigger pieces into smaller ones. I like to soak them over night in plain water to remove some of the oils. I roll or dust the pieces in a flour and cajun deep fry mix combination. Some dont like the spicey dusting mix and use seafood mixes but cajun seems to work well with catfish. I would in no way use cajun with pike or walleyes.

Deep fry till crispy coating and follow with sliced potatos with the skins still in tact. (fish and chips southern style) add baked beans. (brown sugar onions salsa sauce and a little ketsup).

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I tought I taw a talaban

Deep frying catfish.

cut fish into small pieces mix flour and I use cajun mix dusting flour in galoon size zip loc bag shake bag to cover pieces thourghly

Heat oil to 375 degrees add pieces one at a time carefully making sure not to boil over oil check right away that no pieces stick to the bottom of the pan. Some use a couple of kernels of popcorn to test oil. When the corn pops its ready.

fry till golden brown and pieces float

slice potatos I use this antique slicer. They can still be found in kitchen supply stores.

fry potatos until brown and float.

Place paper towls under fish and potatos to soak up oil.

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I tought I taw a talaban

Last edited by Swede on Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:19 am; edited 1 time in total

Your thread would be a good sticky in the fishing forum for a general thread on fishing cats, cleaning and cooking.
Passing my thoughts to Troop, DD and Daffy.
Good stuff, Swede, thanks much. Wink

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"Asinus sæculæ maximus."

Last edited by Dobry on Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

I am going to try this, looks great.

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

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SURVIVAL..........it's all in your head

Not a problem my friends. Tropper and I go way back. Tell him Hi for me. Very Happy

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I tought I taw a talaban

Man that looks good! Surprised

eric

Mmmm....fried catfish. Cool

Excellent, Swede. Very Happy

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

This is a great thread, the pics video are great, sticky Very Happy

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

looks deliouse I have never eaten catfish before great catch. Very Happy

You've never eaten catfish? Shocked

You're missing out on a great meal. Very Happy

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

Im going to try to demonstrate how "ewe can catch a fish full of vit a mins
with just a hook line and sinker" Bear. Wink

Its been in the 90s here this week but its supposed to cool off so I can go try this.

News at eleven

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I tought I taw a talaban

Here I will show you how to catch fish through the ice. These are a few items you will need>

These are the tiny ice jigs they use. There are many to choose from. There are many colors but I find white is a good all around color>

You should pickup some ice line. This is monofiliment two pound test. You can get heavier line but I wouldnt go over six pound test. You want the line hanging straight.

You will need a small reel. Here is a good example but there are lots to choose from. The are called ultralite. Some just hand line but its a lot easier to use a reel.

You will need an auger they run around 50 bucks. You can use an axe but fishing regulations in some areas only allow up to 8 inch holes for safety.

http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=42906&CID=154204

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I tought I taw a talaban

This is the business end of the auger, very sharp. Make sure you keep the blade protector on when not in use.

A fishing hut is a luxury. They can run from 200 bucks and up depending on their size. I have seen workable home made huts made from cardboard appliance boxes that work just fine. A hut will cut the wind and lengthen your stay on the ice. A mantel lantern will heat a hut very well.

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I tought I taw a talaban

Cool stuff, Swede Very Happy

Did you catch anything?

I have never gone ice fish before Embarassed

Looks fun though.

eric

	turd wrote:
	Cool stuff, Swede Did you catch anything? I have never gone ice fish before Looks fun though. eric

Ice fishing is a blast if you have all the right gear for the cold weather turd. Me & one of my fishing buds go out about 6 times every winter. Doesn't stay cold enufe long enufe here on the west coast so can't get out on the ice as often as we would like.

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Good stuff, Swede. Cool

This is also a good thing to use to heat that kind of space. Very Happy

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. - Psalms 53:1

Nice heater but it really doesnt take much to heat one of those huts. A colman lantern puts out lots of heat plus light for night fishing. If you put too much heat in them they start to condense and drip water.

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I tought I taw a talaban

Last edited by Swede on Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:48 am; edited 1 time in total