Any Big Catfish in North NJ?

[MudCat08]

I have caught some medium bullheads and a 3 pound channel cat out of my local pond, but am searching for something bigger than that.

Are there any Areas in North NJ that hold big channel cats, bullheads or white catfish? anyone ever catch a flathead catfish this far north? Looking to find a big catfish for sport and then let er go.

Also if anyone fishes for good clean catfish to eat, where are you guys finding those? most of our rivers here are/used to be super dirty.

[iraevski]

I have caught some medium bullheads and a 3 pound channel cat out of my local pond, but am searching for something bigger than that.

Are there any Areas in North NJ that hold big channel cats, bullheads or white catfish? anyone ever catch a flathead catfish this far north? Looking to find a big catfish for sport and then let er go.

Also if anyone fishes for good clean catfish to eat, where are you guys finding those? most of our rivers here are/used to be super dirty.


i think round valley holds some decent size catfish. it is also a very clean lake so i would not hesitate to eat fish from there.
i am not a catfish fisherman though so never targeted them at RV.

[MudCat08]

Thanks guys, I actually wanted to try both places but did not know if they had good sized catfish. Might still be able to make a trip down there before fall is over. Definitely not eating stuff out of the Raritan but it should be good fun fighting them :)

[zmerchant7]

i think round valley holds some decent size catfish. it is also a very clean lake so i would not hesitate to eat fish from there.
i am not a catfish fisherman though so never targeted them at RV.

I catfish at Round Valley all the time in the Summer. Channel cats usually average 5-6 pounds, with a few 10+ in the mix. I know a 18-lb Channel was caught out of there about a week and a half ago.

[Andrushkin33]

You can try Spruce Run as well. Last night had a vey good luck with white ones. Nice, clean and decent size. Biggest was between 4 and 6lbs. Come to think of it, it was a first time I actually seen a cat trying to shake the hook in deep waters, so originally I thought it was a hybrid. Seen them do that in shallows never in deep water.

Bullheads, channel cat and white cat are all there and I am pretty sure there are bigger ones lurking.

Andre

[MudCat08]

You can try Spruce Run as well. Last night had a vey good luck with white ones. Nice, clean and decent size. Biggest was between 4 and 6lbs. Come to think of it, it was a first time I actually seen a cat trying to shake the hook in deep waters, so originally I thought it was a hybrid. Seen them do that in shallows never in deep water.

Bullheads, channel cat and white cat are all there and I am pretty sure there are bigger ones lurking.

Andre

Is Spruce Run and Round Valley open after sundown? That's when the cats really get into the bait haha. I usually fished 10pm till 2am late nights in the summer but recently have been doing from sundown till around 9 or 10pm and still catching cats near me.

[Andrushkin33]

Is Spruce Run and Round Valley open after sundown? That's when the cats really get into the bait haha. I usually fished 10pm till 2am late nights in the summer but recently have been doing from sundown till around 9 or 10pm and still catching cats near me.

The boat launch in both places open after sundown. I been able to get into the park area in Round Valley and until last night in Spruce Run even though sign states it closes at 6pm. Last night Spruce Run park entrance was closed but the exit was left open. Could of went through there but did not want to push my luck. Usually fish from 8pm till midnight with fishing picking up after 9pm lately. I pretty much target only the white cat. Love the meat all other are getting released back. Chicken livers work their magic but do not be surprised if you go through half a dozen of small ones before a nice one comes through.

Andre

[briansnat]

I've seen some 15 - 20 lb channels come out of West Fayson Lake, so I assume any area lake that has a population of channels is capable of producing some big ones.

[briansnat]

The boat launch in both places open after sundown. I been able to get into the park area in Round Valley and until last night in Spruce Run even though sign states it closes at 6pm. Last night Spruce Run park entrance was closed but the exit was left open. Could of went through there but did not want to push my luck. Usually fish from 8pm till midnight with fishing picking up after 9pm lately. I pretty much target only the white cat. Love the meat all other are getting released back. Chicken livers work their magic but do not be surprised if you go through half a dozen of small ones before a nice one comes through.

Andre

I think they may lock the gate to the main launch at RV at some point in the night, because whenever I camp there they always write down the combination in case we need to get out.

[Andrushkin33]

I think they may lock the gate to the main launch at RV at some point in the night, because whenever I camp there they always write down the combination in case we need to get out.

Interesting. You talking about the launch at Rangers Cove? I stayed out there till 2am the latest and only had cops passing by but never was the gate locked. But I have not been out there in last 2 weeks so I am not sure how it is now.

Andre

[iraevski]

I think they may lock the gate to the main launch at RV at some point in the night, because whenever I camp there they always write down the combination in case we need to get out.

the campers launch closes after 8pm in the summer. that is why you need the lock combo if you want to leave during the night when you are camping. the main fisherman's launch (close to the swimming/dam area) never closes, they don't have a gate and you can launch 24/7

[iraevski]

You can try Spruce Run as well. Last night had a vey good luck with white ones. Nice, clean and decent size. Biggest was between 4 and 6lbs. Come to think of it, it was a first time I actually seen a cat trying to shake the hook in deep waters, so originally I thought it was a hybrid. Seen them do that in shallows never in deep water.

Bullheads, channel cat and white cat are all there and I am pretty sure there are bigger ones lurking.

Andre

Andre, what kind of rig are you using on catfish? i haven't fished for cats in ages, would like to try again. i guess chicken livers seem to be the bait of choice, just wondering about the rig, hooks, line, etc.

[Andrushkin33]

Andre, what kind of rig are you using on catfish? i haven't fished for cats in ages, would like to try again. i guess chicken livers seem to be the bait of choice, just wondering about the rig, hooks, line, etc.

Slip sinker rig for the bottom is rig of choice for me at least. As for the hook I use size 6 circle hook. Just a suggestion when fishing with livers get some small string or a rubber band to secure the liver to the hook and to ensure it stays on. As far as the line goes I just use 12lbs strength line. You know they are not like trout and not line shy.

Andre

[briansnat]

Slip sinker rig for the bottom is rig of choice for me at least. As for the hook I use size 6 circle hook. Just a suggestion when fishing with livers get some small string or a rubber band to secure the liver to the hook and to ensure it stays on. As far as the line goes I just use 12lbs strength line. You know they are not like trout and not line shy.

Andre

Slip sinker rig with a barrel swivel and a 2-3 ft leader is what I use (basically identical to a Carolina rig except for the hook I use). I like hot dogs, or nightcrawlers as bait

I've met a few guys who swear by lighted, slip bobbers for cats, set to keep the bait just above the bottom.

[Andrushkin33]

Slip sinker rig with a barrel swivel and a 2-3 ft leader is what I use (basically identical to a Carolina rig except for the hook I use). I like hot dogs, or nightcrawlers as bait

I've met a few guys who swear by lighted, slip bobbers for cats, set to keep the bait just above the bottom.

Slip bobbers for cats? Lol well in all honesty I have actually tried it but managed to get a hybrid on it.

Andre

[ratherbe]

Always seem to hook a channel in sr, got a good one on a countdown rapala a few weeks back. Was shocked!

The cat out of rv rangers cove last week was a real trophy

[NJ219bands]

I caught one in the Millstone River on my homemade corn meal bait.

[Andrushkin33]

NJ,

That's a fatty you got there good sir. Nice catch.

Andre

[Andrushkin33]

Always seem to hook a channel in sr, got a good one on a countdown rapala a few weeks back. Was shocked!

The cat out of rv rangers cove last week was a real trophy

Wait, you talking about that 18lbs monsta that was pulled out?

[MudCat08]

I caught one in the Millstone River on my homemade corn meal bait.

That is a beast channel, nice!

[MudCat08]

Went to Round Valley last night and caught a few fish. Only one keeper catfish, a decent brown bullhead a little over a pound. Also caught two largemouth bass (on crankbait when sun was setting) and one other bullhead and released those.


I'm thinking if i try a different location at round valley i might get more action, or maybe i should go over to Spruce Run.

[iraevski]

Went to Round Valley last night and caught a few fish. Only one keeper catfish, a decent brown bullhead a little over a pound. Also caught two largemouth bass (on crankbait when sun was setting) and one other bullhead and released those.


I'm thinking if i try a different location at round valley i might get more action, or maybe i should go over to Spruce Run.

I think Spruce would hold more catfish. I haven't really fished for cats lately but when i did i noticed they like shallower/muddier water. Spruce looks like a perfect spot for them

[MudCat08]

I think Spruce would hold more catfish. I haven't really fished for cats lately but when i did i noticed they like shallower/muddier water. Spruce looks like a perfect spot for them

Cool, I'll try Spruce Run next week.

[MudCat08]

Went to Spruce Run today, caught some fish including a channel cat. Will be back in the future for more haha.