I have to start this report with a story. We are in “bonus catfishing” now being October and the water temps are still in the high 60s. On October 2nd I took my former boss, the man who first introduced me to catfishing back in 2001 out for our annual day on the river. We just like to get together, catch up on life and catch a few cats. Well, the stars aligned and we smashed big fish. We landed many over 15 pounds, but the real story is he landed 6 catfish 20 pounds or bigger breaking his personal best not once but twice. What an amazing day!
Now for the report. It is clear that we have a substantial weather change on the way. This late hot spell has the fish on the feed because they know changes are on the way. The best bites have been in mid river holes and the faster the current the better. Depth of the holes really doesn’t matter. We have caught the best fish in 4–5-foot holes and 7-10 foot holes as long as they have fast water over them. Sit on the spot 15-20 minutes for the first bite and use judgement to not over sit. It seems two or three fish is about max for many of these spots. As always, dead sucker was my bait but until the weather changes I don’t think it will matter all that much.
When the weather makes the change over the weekend, I suspect the bite will move from the faster water over to the slower water. Sit times may get a little longer but the water temp is high enough that this slow down could be temporary in the short term. Next week the nights will be cold and expect the water temp to drop quickly which also can slow the bite. I think we have a week or maybe two of good catfishing ahead still. This is very late into October for such a great bite, take advantage.
I am no longer taking 2025 trips but am booking 2026
Redrivercatfish.com
Now for the report. It is clear that we have a substantial weather change on the way. This late hot spell has the fish on the feed because they know changes are on the way. The best bites have been in mid river holes and the faster the current the better. Depth of the holes really doesn’t matter. We have caught the best fish in 4–5-foot holes and 7-10 foot holes as long as they have fast water over them. Sit on the spot 15-20 minutes for the first bite and use judgement to not over sit. It seems two or three fish is about max for many of these spots. As always, dead sucker was my bait but until the weather changes I don’t think it will matter all that much.
When the weather makes the change over the weekend, I suspect the bite will move from the faster water over to the slower water. Sit times may get a little longer but the water temp is high enough that this slow down could be temporary in the short term. Next week the nights will be cold and expect the water temp to drop quickly which also can slow the bite. I think we have a week or maybe two of good catfishing ahead still. This is very late into October for such a great bite, take advantage.
I am no longer taking 2025 trips but am booking 2026
Redrivercatfish.com
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