Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Last year around this time I caught a big channel cat on a rat-l-trap while casting around in the bay.
Ever since, Nick has been eager to revisit and target the cats. This would be the first channel he's caught.

First try targeting them is a success, after chunking up a few perch and soaking them on the bottom, we get a hit maybe 20 minutes in.
The fish took off but it came unbuttoned as soon as Nick got the rod out of the holder. : (

Another 10+ minutes in and this time the rod is bouncing again, Nick reels in and after some powerful runs trying to get back down deep, we net this giant.

I get two myself, one smaller one and then a better one but not the same class as Nick's.

The next day we tried again and i scored another slob.

Two bonus pike on the chunks of perch too, one smashed it as I reeled it back in to change spots.

I also checked freshwater drum off the species list.

https://i.postimg.cc/0z42T24G/0516231452d-HDR.png https://i.postimg.cc/Wh3FF4Qr/0516231452f-HDR.png https://i.postimg.cc/G4gHbj4y/20230514-1633352.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/Jy90k4c7/20230516-153350.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/nMKrXxsZ/20230516-153648.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/fVyRq08T/20230516-154928.png https://i.postimg.cc/4H1xqvCn/20230517-182814.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/xJMCyDtv/20230517-193830.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/hJ7PcRFk/20230517-193859.png

I forget the weight on the two bigger ones, Nick's was over 25 lbs i recall?

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Good lord! They're some huge channels! That fist fish is enormous! Did you happen to get a length? Incredible fish!

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

One would think going South would be the choice for big catfish, I guess not.

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Was a lot of fun as always buddy :)

That first one weighed in at 25 lbs, 38". Not bad for my first channel. It's nice to have a plan to target a new species come together successfully :D

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

WOW:eek:now that is a nice channel cat well done for nick's first landed channel catfish, you guys got em good.

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Awesome looking catches guys! 25lbs is crazy! Any one of those woulda beat and maybe eat my pb catfish!😅 Nice catch on the oddball drum as well Luke. I've also gotten one of those as a surprise once. Good stuff!!

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Yes sir! Way to go boys! Love me some Catfish!!!:D

Re: Big Channel Catfish in Lake Ontario
 

Look at these guys go! I saw that full time New Yorker here on 206 the other day heading back north. Nice work guys