On The Search For River Monsters
 

Been going all over the place this year to catch some big catfish.
It gets a little confusing taking many trips and remembering exactly which month had the most bites or fish landed, so I'll organize my results in this thread.

The Goal - To catch at least a 30lb catfish this year.

Trips
August Schuylkill River PA
Result - No Bites, No Fish.

August Delaware River NJ
Result - One bite, one 6.5 lb Flathead Catfish.

August Schuylkill River PA
Result - One Bite, No Fish

September Delaware River NJ
Result - Few bites, one 25.5 lb Flathead Catfish

September Schuylkill River PA
Result - One Bite, No Fish

September Delaware River NJ
Result - Two Bites, one shoe, No Fish


I try to take one catfish trip a week from now until sometime in November before it gets too cold.
Will post photos of any larger fish.
I'll keep updating this thread and hopefully by the end of the year I'll come across that thirty pounder haha!

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

For the best chance at a 30lb flattie I highly recommend keep heading to the Schuylkill and bring bigger baits. 12" suckers, trout, big perch, bullheads, biggest bluegills you can get. No such thing as too big of a bait. I would try some new spots down there as well. I don't ever remember getting skunked Down there as most trips I would average 5-10 flats with some trips producing 20 fish. I also typically moved around to two or three spots each night I fished down there

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

Thanks man, I usually try to get the biggest sunfish i can if I'm going to the Schuylkill R. With all the great tips on this site, I'm sure that goal will be reached this year!

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

Last couple of tries have not been good for any of us that I know of. Something has them turned down it seems.

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

Hmmmmmmmm! I just lost my motivation to head out there tonight! Nothing at the funnel? Bites? Fish? Signs of life?

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

everything felt right at the spot, my baits were landing in a depth of like 5-8' panfish were eating bugs off the surface all night so i knew the food was in the area. rocks, weeds a nice slow back current. air pressure was super low (which never really helps i guess). i guess maybe that turned them off, the water was low in other spots we've tried idk.

if anyone can get them it's you, if i was you i'd still go! I only fished 8-11 (at 11, I got poured on and couldn't even barely see to get back up the path). good luck, the air pressure is back in your favor and maybe the water came up a little with the rain burst. Yesterday night wouldn't have been the night i chose to go but it was my only option. tonight and tomorrow probably better!

Getting Closer!
 

We went last night to the Delaware river and a buddy hooked up with this little beast. Getting closer to that 30lb goal!
Fish was 25.5 pounds.

We also met a guy at the spot, who was fishing for channels - was wondering if that was Eddie, or someone else on here? He gave us some awesome tips, so thank you whoever you were!

Next week - back to the Schuylkill River.

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

any of you suggest a starting out point on the Schuylkill please pm me I am not looking for a gps coordinate but would love to catch a flathead & even though I have lived in philly 32yrs I have never fished the schuylkill

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

Doesn't really seem like you can find a bad spot on the schukyl honestly.

Did you find my red Rod holder at the deleware? I left it as I scrambled out of there when it poured wednesday haha.

Re: On The Search For River Monsters
 

Yep never fished a spot on the skuke that I didn't catch flats. I will say any where along Kelly drive has treated guys well but it does get hit hard