Delaware catfish?
 

Does river depth make a difference for catching cats? Inspired by Mr Eddie's recent post a buddy of mine and I are planning a trip to the big river and are thinking about either a spot near Washingtons crossing park or down stream by the Philly area where it's supposed to be deeper. Any thoughts?

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

depth does matter, but becomes much less of a factor at night

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

At night while bowfishing I've seen both channels and flatheads from 6" of water to over 10 ft when the water is clear enough to see that deep. I always fished slower moving eddies and caught plenty but noticed shallow riffles in the 2' range hold lots of cats at night

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

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I never fish that far South, so I can only speak for the Delaware River in North Jersey where the water can get gin-clear in the summer and fall when the flows are low.

I have never caught a Channel Cat in the bright sunlight from the shoreline. I have found cats in clear water to be crepuscular and nearly always hit in the evening after the sun stops shining on the water.

Catfish are a lot more likely to hit in the day time if the water has a degree of turbidity to it. It doesn't have to look like chocolate milk, just a bit murky.



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Re: Delaware catfish?
 

Thanks for the info guys. We plan on going Sunday after next and with thunder storms forecast for early next week sounds like conditions could be good. We plan on bagging some sunnies for bait. Also chicken livers have worked for me for cats in the past so going to give that a shot too.

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

trout shad suckers carp all work. Sunnies work well but can't compare to shad or trout

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

Eels, gills, trout, lamprey and of course Shad if I have any left in my freezer. 30-35 run offs the other day on gills and trout. Gills got attacked more than the trout.

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

Always fun, no matter. Bring some eels or catch your bait right before you arrive. Frozen works wonders as well. Live, cut, frozen.... all get em. I've used eels until there was just the head left, ripped up and trying to catch one last fish. Channels will easily top 15lb (30 in.) and the flatheads can be close to double that size with not much more length (38 in.) Awesome fisherie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

Haven't caught an eel since I was a kid fishing the Water Gap with my pops. Other than NJFishing.com members legs apparently what do they bite on?

Re: Delaware catfish?
 

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I have caught a few eels accidently on chicken liver, but the vast majority have come on earthworms. Eels also tend to avoid bright daytime conditions and seem to prefer to feed at night or in murky water.

I'm looking for way to fillet them and make a meal of them. I assume they're loaded with bones.


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Re: Delaware catfish?
 

Actually no. My pops and his Polish buddies would smoke them whole the strip the skin and peel meat right off. Don't know about filleting them though. Will have to ask the chef next time I go for sushi. Thanks again for the info all.