On The Search For River Monsters

[MudCat08]

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!

[Delawareriver]

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

[MudCat08]

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!

[Chrisper4694]

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

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

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

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

[Chrisper4694]

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!