What's Luck Got to Do With It???

Do you believe in lucky poles, magic baits, or lucky hats? If so, this one might hit a little close to home!  Ask a good fisherman and they will often tell you that you make your own luck. In other words, luck is the result of preparation, planning, location, and timing. 

First let's deal with a few common superstitions:

Magic baits

 

Read about catfishing and you'll frequently see people that favor one bait over others. If there was ONE magic bait, would there be a thousand different prepared baits on the market for channel catfisherman? I don't think so! Not to mention how everyone has their own favored natural baits. Cats are attracted to specific baits based on scent/taste, vibration, etc; and cats can become conditioned to accept baits often fished in an area. However, most of the best catfishermen I know believe bait placement is a more important factor than bait selection.    

 Lucky pole

Okay, there might be a bit truth to this one; if you're more comfortable and have a better feel with a certain rod, it might work better for you. On a regular basis, I do see certain rods being hit a lot. Maybe it's because I like the rod so they're the first baits out. Whatever the reason, I can't totally rule this one out. 

The big ones come when there's no camera in the boat!

With the advent of cell phone cameras, there's really no excuse any more on this one. However, for years I've been a believer in always having a camera in the boat and still live by that rule. So this one has been a non-issue for me for years. Sometimes the camera strap accidentally gets in the picture or the flash goes off at the wrong time.

 

Lucky hats

Come on, let's get serious now. How does the fish know what hat you've got on? I have a confession to make on this one...I have two catfishing hats and I ALWAYS have one of them one. When I recently misplaced my favorite fishing hat, my old Procats hat, you would think I lost my wallet with all my credits cards. Actually, wallets and credit cards can be replaced. Fortunately, the missing hat turned up and all is right with my world again!

Hit came when I wasn't watching!

This one perplexes me. It does seem to happen a lot where a rod goes down and I'm tying a knot, checking my phone, snapping a few pictures, taking a whizz, whatever. But how do the fish know?!? Maybe I'm just tinkering around with stuff a lot some nights. Again, I can't rule this one out because sometimes I've joked around saying I'll start rigging another pole to get some action going and it's happened. Crazy.

Okay, enough about superstitions.

I do feel that as fishermen become more experienced, they naturally become less superstitious (hopefully). I do think it's somehow an integral part catfishing lore to talk about superstitions and good luck/bad luck. I also think the best catfisherman don't spend a lot of time worrying about luck and superstition. Other factors are much more relevant.  

Confidence 

Confidence is highly underrated. He who hesitates may miss the hook-up... a habit of successful fishermen is to remain focused when things get exciting. Become overexcited when the big fish finally hits your less likely to land the big fish. Human error inevitably raises its ugly head! When you keep your cool, stay focused, and confidently wait for the right time and set that hook assuredly and confidently - without hesitation - you increase your chances of landing that fish.   

Discipline 

Most of the best fishermen I've talked to about fishing for catfish, especially big catfish, reiterate the same message - you have to be prepared to NOT catch fish, in order to catch fish. This means knowing you will go out and spend some time when the fish either aren't home, or aren't cooperative. You may need to wait very patiently several minutes or more for the right time to set that hook, after the initial signal you received. Most importantly, discipline is sticking with your plan and not switching to worms or cheese bait because the flathead bite is slow fishing with bluegills. Or breaking out the oars to get to the next spot when you had engine trouble but still want to fish. You have to stick with the plan, because you don't know when that big cat is going for a take-down. If you switch to cheese bait because the flathead bite was slow, you'll never find out.

Discipline is having your gear organized and knowing where all the important stuff is in the boat at night. And having the right gear and tools in your catfish bag every time out. For those of us with a short attention span, waiting for that next hit definitely requires concentration and focus. Staying focused when the bite is slow can be a real challenge some nights and the ability to maintain concentration is often the difference between getting that next catfish in the boat and getting skunked. 

Experience

Experience really is the best teacher. The best way to learn it to be out on the water. Successful fisherman may talk about luck, but it's more likely they are successful because they've taken the time to search out prime fishing spots and learned how to present their offerings in the right place at the right time to catch fish. Most importantly, time on the water leads to success. Night after night every summer the better catfishermen are out there searching for the next big cat. One thing that's guaranteed - you won't catch fish sitting at home.

    Blazing a new trail

Another habit of successful fisherman is exploring new spots each time out, instead of only visiting their favorite "honey holes" over and over. The fishermen who aren't out there exploring new territory won't learning nearly as much about the body of water they're fishing as the guys who consistently search out and fish new spots (another confession, I don't do nearly enough of this myself). We've all been told over and over not to just keep going to the same spot you've caught fish before. As Denny Halgren says, "A spot has to prove itself to you over time." So while it is good to have a catalogue of "top shelf" spots in your mind, don't be afraid to explore and learn about new places. Even if you've found the best catfish habitat ever, just remember there was that first time you anchored there not knowing what would happen...   

So the next time you're feeling superstitious because you can't find your lucky hat, just forget about it. Luck is being in the right place, at the right time, with the right bait. That's all it is. 

Days and nights on the river (Misadventures in catfishing - Part 3)

 

The Great White Buffalo

In the summer of 2002, I started shopping for a new fishing rig. After being a landlubber for a quite a while, I missed the freedom afforded by having my own fishing boat. I wanted a boat with a trailer and hopefully a running outboard, as I had sold mine. I was checking for sale ads at work and several of the regional papers on-line. I saw one somewhat beat up boat near work, but decided to hold out for something that looked a little more seaworthy. 


 

A few weeks later, I found what appeared to be a great deal on a used boat. It was a '61 Smoker Craft with an old Chrysler motor. An electric motor and fishfinder were part of the package as well. Well equipped. And, the price was about what I wanted to spend. Sure, it was old. But the owner (a nice older fellow and veteran) assured me there wasn't a scratch on the hull. The only catch was that it was a long drive to pick it up. I packed up the family and we made a day (and a deal) of it. 

 
My boat became known as the Great White Buffalo (GWB for short) as its two-tone white/aluminum finish reminded me of my old car, that a friend always referred to as the Great White Buffalo. Over time I added some decking, rod holders, and  it made a great little cat-boat! I ended up selling the GWB in 2013, after many fun and memorable trips.    

 

 

Maiden Voyage

We took the GWB to a local river, in search of some catfish. The launch was in a very gravelly, shallow stretch of river. I ended up dragging my boat around with a rope in the rain all morning. It was rarely over knee deep anywhere in this section and I had no oars at the time. Remember the scene from "African Queen"? At least there were no leaches. Just when we started getting some good bites, it starts pouring. Chalk one up to experience.

Later that fall, another friend and I drove about two hours to fish on the Rock river at Dixon in some blustery 20 mph winds and heavy chop. We got launched then I proceeded to break the starter cord! Time for some quick "McGyvering." Luckily, the flywheel had a spool on the top (like old lawnmowers used to have). I was wrap some electric cord on the rotor to pull for easy starting. Now I know why I kept that wire in my toolbox! No fish, but at least it didn't rain. I also marked some great structure out there.
   
Over time, I got comfortable with the launching/trailer routine
and found good places to fish on the nearby Fox river. Maybe the best part of the boat/trailer setup is having some of the gear (motor, gas tank, battery) pre-loaded in the boat. No more
carrying an empty boat down to the water and then spending 20 minutes loading all the gear! After eleven years of active duty, I finally parted with the GWB. I even made a tribute video. What a fine old boat...and it never did leak either!

 

While I took the boat on some longer trips, like driving out to Prophetstown to fish the Rock river, most of my attention was focused on the nearby Fox river. I started fishing more for flathead catfish and the advice everyone gave me was to spend more time getting familiar with local places that held flatheads. So I tried to do just that, at least a few times every summer. As I gained experience over the years, certain trips became etched in my memory.

 

 

  

 

Flathead focus

Around 2002, I started a concerted effort to target flathead catfish in my catch and release trips. Like other catfish anglers, I was fascinated by their size, power, and dogged determination to avoid capture. The first few seasons I tried my hand at fishing for flathead catfish were a bust. Like many pursuits if you've never achieved something, it's a challenge getting that first one under your belt. I quickly learned that timing and confidence are key factors.


In July of 2004, I with the Fox with veteran catman Brent for a few hours of fun. With his boat on a new stretch of river, it was a great change of pace (and venue) for me. I arrived at the launch cranking Born Under A Bad Sign by Cream, ready for some action. Was I trying to tempt fate? I had almost forgot my camera that morning, I only remembered it when I ran back to the house to grab some rain gear just in case. 

We anchored in some deep water near some bridge footings around 9:00 am or so and started fishing. Bridge pilings can be a great, if obvious spot. There's often wood cover hung up on the piers and submerged structure too. I got a nice channel catfish to get things started...a bit later Brent landed the fish of the day - a nice flathead of maybe 15 pounds! My time had not yet come...





 Not too long afterwards, I hooked up with my first flathead, which put up a good fight on my 14 pound test line. To say I was thrilled would be a huge understatement! I also caught a smaller flathead that weighed a few pounds. All the fish were released to fight another day…while it wasn't quite a highlight reel of fish, no mishaps or misadventures. No wonder...we hadn't taken my boat!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free pass

My Birthday occurs near Father's Day, so I usually try to use that to my advantage to get out for some holiday weekend catfishing. That's also my favorite time of the year, as I love those long summer nights! One memorable trip was on my 40th Birthday, when I launched early start and scored my first multiple flathead trip fishing solo! It was a fun morning where I anchored on a few different spots and had the river to myself. Good times.  

On an early morning Birthday jaunt in 2009 when I experienced some torrential rains and sudden lightning was way to close for comfort. I beached the boat for a while and with the rising water even tried launching in the shallow area where I was dragging the boat on its maiden voyage several years before. I called it quits early that day, which was probably best as I had to leave on a scout trip that weekend.

I do like to mix things up, so sometimes I'll fish in the morning, sometimes at night. I've never forget one morning I was fishing a spot near the bank and some guy on water skis starts getting a little too close for comfort. He even got me with some water spray. We had a few choice words after that and I ended up moving. That's one major disadvantage to fishing in a suburban area...the boat traffic. And people who think they own the river flying around in speedboats and jet-skis.

Maybe because the Fox tends to be a shallower river, the night time is often the right time for flatheads. Of course fishing in the dark complicates everything. Casting, knot tying, untangling lines. Everything is trickier in the boat at night. Especially after a beer or two, which is why I started a tradition several years back...waiting to crack open the first beverage to toast that first catfish in the boat. Prost!

 

 

 

 

 

Misadventures in EVERYTHING

Another June evening during another year, I hit a new launch on the river a little before dusk for some catfishing. Launching the boat, I managed to whack an already cracked trailer light on the pier. It happens. I fished some promising bridge structure and had few crush-and-kill hits, but had no typical flathead pick-ups. Later another boat nearly drifted into me and also got tangled in one of my lines. I decided to pack it up and finish fishing at another pool on some familiar water. I was in a hurry to take out, and ended up starting motor in some shallow water. I pushed out a little bit, but not far enough I guess, and bounced the bottom a few times, as I wheeled around to get my boat on the trailer to go.


I get to the other launch and after pushing the boat off the trailer managed to slip landing face down in the water at the launch. Miraculously, my cell phone remained dry. That first step was a little further than I thought... I headed up-stream, passing some other boats including angler Frank. On my way to the first spot, my motor started making a new sound. A metallic click, click, click. Never heard that before.

I set-up on the first spot, got positioned right where I wanted and my first bait gets hit. With rod in my hand, I felt the fish surge forward a few times, and I was just waiting for the rod to level and tighten up before attempting a hook-set. The fish stops moving. I waited a bit and tried slamming but the fish had either spit, or the bait popped out. Air-ball. 

I get a call from my friend Marty and picked him up back at the launch. Start the motor again, the sound  intensified somewhat, and now I'm concerned. Not concerned enough apparently, we fished a while then I tried to drive and first the motor hesitates, then we we're going nowhere. I lifted the motor to find I have no propeller. Never seen that happen before. I broke out the oars, and started rowing back to the launch. About halfway, Frank was kind enough to give us a tow, and I gave him my unused bait. What a night. About the only thing that didn't happen was launching the boat without the drain plug in. That was really the night when Misadventures in Catfishing became my running tagline. 

 

Around 2007-2008, Marty spearheaded an effort to organize a local group of catfish anglers which became the Fox Valley Flatheaders. We compared notes about our experiences, talked about fishing pressure on the Fox river, and discussed the importance of these fish as a valuable resource for future generations. Data was collected regarding hours fished and species caught. We ultimately partnered with some DNR biologists who completed the first studies of flathead catfish on the Fox river. Pretty cool stuff! We also planned a few outings, one of which was an overnight trip to the Mississippi river...

 

 

 

Back to the Mississippi

In the summer of 2009, I was excited at the prospect of an overnight trip to the Mississippi in the Quad Cities area. Since this was to an unfamiliar stretch of water, I spent a good deal of time research about that section of the Mississippi. I had also replaced my Chrysler outboard with a "new" vintage motor, a '57 Mercury Mark 10. Boy, could that thing could run up the river!

My first stop was to to launch near Rock Island and check out the upper section of pool 16. I anchored-up at a railroad bridge opposite of the shipping channel, having a bite of my packed lunch. Then, I decided to try just below the bridge pilings adjacent to the shipping channel. Guess I was a little bit too close, when an approaching barge blasts its horn to get out of the way. I cut my lines and fired up the motor. Even running away at full speed the wake behind the passing barge draws me in and the boat drops into the place where the water had been displaced by the passing ship. Luckily I was at a safe distance behind the barge by this time. Good time to pack up and head for the campground!

There was a nice launch at the campground situated on a running side channel off the main river. When I arrived in the early afternoon there was a good bull session going amongst the other other fisherman making the trip, including catfish guide Tim Scott. Since everyone wanted to do a bit of scouting before dinner, we drove over to the launch and then all headed off in different directions. I headed upstream, following Tim's suggestion to look for shoreline wood cover 10-15' deep with current.

At my first stop, I fished a bit and landed a small channel cat. Having avoided the dreaded skunk, I decided it was time to head upriver. Fished a second spot and had the pleasure of watching an eagle flying hunting for lunch. My other baits had no takers, so I high-tailed it upstream to scout some more. Found a perfectly awesome spot, two root balls bookending a ton of lumber, in deep water right off the shoreline. Filed that one under "fish tonight". Time to hurry, must keep scouting. Motoring even further upriver, it suddenly drops from 8' to 2' of water. Then WHACK. Solid rock. #%!~* Great, I've found the wing dam from those maps. Probably ruined the motor. Misadventures in catfishing.


I lifted the motor for an inspection. Actually, the lower unit seemed okay, although my prop was dinged up pretty good. I started back towards the launch very slowly, but something isn't right. The motor isn't pushing the boat the way it should and I'm going nowhere fast. Luckily, I managed a tow from a speedboat about halfway back. I learned later that I had what is known as a "spun prop". A rubber bushing inside the propeller transfers the torque from the motor. If you hit something and the motor is running at high speed, the bushing slips. In my case, the bushing was spent. It had become gooey rubber.

I attempted to repair the prop while I cooked some much needed dinner. Grilled burgers with sliced tomato from my garden. That was good. Spirits were elevated! I did the best repair I could and tried launching again around 8:30 pm. I'm motoring slowly across to about midstream. Then I notice the motor isn't really pushing at all. My repairs were ineffective. The moment of truth was at hand: head back and call it a night or start rowing to fish a few spots close to the launch. 

Of course, I decided to fish the spots. I didn't drive three hours with a boat and camping gear for nothing. I spent a while rowing the rest of the way out and got anchored up on a nice little spot with some wood cover. It wasn't too long before I my live bluegill brought some action. After losing a couple fish in the wood, I get another pick-up. I started burning the reel in the rod holer and hooked up with a catfish. At the end of the fight I reached down to hoist a nice healthy flathead, close to 15 pounds into the boat. It was a new personal best at the time and my first Mississippi river flathead. YES!!!

In between bites, it was such a peaceful, quiet night on the water. In the dark skies I saw all kinds of stars (the milky way was so visible I mistook it for clouds at one point!). One of the other anglers on the trip stopped once and offered me a tow. I actually declined, as I wanted to fish one more spot. It was getting late and Tim stopped by with his crew to see how I was making out. When he offered me a tow (guessing it was sometime after midnight), accepted since it was getting late anyhow.







The next morning I got up early making coffee and breakfast. I removed my outboard and the gas tank from the boat to lose some extra weight and get a bit more fishing in before heading home. I set out under oar power again, boated one small flathead catfish and missed a couple more pick-ups. I ended up heading for home around 11 am.
At some point during the proceedings, I also drifted into one of  the snags I was fishing and broke the transducer arm for my fishfinder (for about the third time in a few years). It happens. All things considered, it was a great trip.

 

 

Four!

Some years are busier than others. Such was the case in 2011. It took a little more time than usual to get everything ready to go for a first trip of the year. I had a new tow vehicle. Trailer lights and wiring had to be fixed and the motor needed a little tweaking.  Finally I had everything ready to go. All I needed were some fresh, lively baits. June is a great time to fish the Fox!

You know it's going to be a good night when you get a fish on the first cast on the first anchor. I've experienced that a number of times, generally a great sign. Actually, that night was a night of firsts. In addition getting a flathead on my first bait/first anchor, it was also the first night I boated four flatheads! Happy Birthday to me. Didn't I mention it...it was also my Birthday!


I had even missed a couple that night...one missed fish was trying to take the rod down in the holder and when I went for the rod it spit my the bait. I should have just started cranking the reel. Same thing happened with the last fish and THAT time I cranked down to get the fish on before taking the rod. I had a new baitfeeder combo that year, it was good to see it get tested a little. That first fish had put up a strong fight!

I got another good season out of that motor, but there were ongoing issues. One misty July evening when I had the motor running I took fellow flathead angler Kevin on the Fox. For my part, I managed a skunk, complete with the scent of actual skunk on the way back to the launch. I did have one good hit that didn't commit. I was fishing tight to cover and had nearly every bait tangled in some kind of branches. After that we went further upriver and Kevin managed to land the biggest flathead I've ever handled. 37x24". Quite impressive. 

Later that night (early in the morning), I was trying to start the motor to head back and then my recoil spring stops working. We were pretty far from the launch, and I took out some old rope, started wrapping it in the teeth on top of the rotor and cranking while trying to get my idle readjusted. Maybe 25 minutes later of CONTINUOUS cranking, I finally got it humming. And to think I was just about to place a 1:00 am rescue call for a tow!

With ongoing outboard issues, I was heading out with just the electric trolling motor on the last several trips before I ultimately sold the GWB. Even with limited mobility, I managed to get on flatheads fairly consistently and even had a no-skunk streak lasting several trips over a two year span. My own personal best flathead (33x24") came during this time on another multiple fish night when I had quietly set out under electric power.

   

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

The latest chapter begins with a new boat

Last spring (April 2015), I decided it was time to get another boat. A great deal was found on Craigslist and another purchase was made, where I became the owner of this '93 Sea Nymph powered by a '61 Mercury. It was christened the She Nymph and even I managed to boat a nice flathead on the first trip out. 
 

It wasn't long before I started planning another Mississippi trip. It was time to go back to Savanna for a long day of fishing with Peter, my old fishing pal from those first two Mississippi trips in the early nineties. We went all over that section of river as I took photos along the way while we fished some amazing looking spots. Sadly, the closest we came to boating a fish was one large northern pike that broke my line boatside trying to land it. 

Maybe we were jinxed because I suspended the rule about getting that first catfish in the boat before toasting. Sometimes it's hard to know what you were doing wrong, especially when you're fishing such great and fishy looking habitat. Maybe next time I fish the Mississippi I'll get back to that side channel area near Rock Island. If I do, I think it will be another overnight trip. Anyhow, the weather was awesome and the scenery, God's country. At least I got some great pictures!

 
I've compiled a lot of pictures on my outdoor excursions over the years. Thinking back to some of the trips from my younger days, I wish I had taken more pictures. I guess that's the only regret that I've ever really had as far as outdoor adventures - I didn't always bring a camera. Of course, maybe I'm glad that all of our escapades weren't documented on film too...