Catfish season in So-Cal

Chris Hanson

Member
May 28, 2017
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hey guys I'm new to cat fishing here in so cal and was at lake Jennings the past couple nights, walking away empty sucks. Anyone know of any good cat fishing areas and or rigs? I feel like I'm missing the boat somewhere, Thanks!
 
Chris,

I like Henshaw the best.....Nitecrawlers, chicken liver, and shrimp being the best baits.....There's some boys on here that do great at Lake Dixon.....Hopefully they'll chime in.

May want to try El Capitan as well.....Nitecrawlers there have produced some beaut's.......:blush:

.el cap 7-25-13 009.JPG el cap 5-23-13 036.JPG
 
Mackerel is good in addition to the baits Steve mentioned. Leave it frozen and cut off 1 piece at a time with a serrated knife. Use no weight at night or anytime you are fishing fairly shallow/don't need a long cast. Use a Carolina rig with egg sinker if you need weight. You don't want them to feel resistance when they take off with the bait. Flylined baits don't sink through all the grass that starts to grow this time of year and get bit better. Skinner stocked catfish on ramp 2 yesterday if that's not too far for you but most lakes have good catfishing.
IV canals are another good option but I'd use a drop shot type rig in the running water.
 
Dixon is a good spot but lately I have not had the greatest luck with the shrimp night crawler combo but better than working!!

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They stock lake jennings with catfish. But it gets fished hard. El cap has big cats. I use to fish the canals hard. Lots of cats. And gig for bull frogs. Lake henshaw had or use to have lots of bull head cats.
 
Dixon , flyline mackerel 8lb test #12 treble hook. Dixon always produces
 

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Nice cats ! Catch a few on the same area of the brush.
Tell your dad don't give up have two unt and a sister in law survive cancer. In today's medicine it pretty normal.
I myself survive a second open heart bypass a month ago .
 
Been night fishing Jennings for cats for a bit. Fish shallow as in 1 to 5 feet of water after 730pm. I use frozen mackerel fly lined on a number 2 octopus hook with 12 or 15 pound test. Made 4 trips last summer, 3 trips were double limits within an hour plus all the misses and break offs. Last trip was a dud with only a few fish. They were pulling down the lake fast and goofed my pattern up that night on my usual spot. Good luck.
 
The lower Colorado River, Blythe area drain ditches and the canals around Brawley hold these guys. Generally fished for at night using live bluegill or large goldfish.
I got this 40 pounder last year on the old river channel.
kBxx62g.jpg
 

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