northstar
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If you fish rivers or/and watch fishing videos and read articles about river fishing, you will encounter mention along the way of fishing near wood piles, ect. Most articles are short in telling all there is to know about wood piles, as if anyone knew all there is to know. Here is some worthwhile information gathered over many years sitting on the bank and in a boat pulling old whiskers out of the wood.
Fish love something to hide in or around and a dead tree in a river is just an invitation to park for a catfish. Not all trees are created equal though and knowing the difference will put more cats in the boat and save you time wondering where the best spots are. Only trial and error will actually prove that out, but this will help sort them out.
The rule is that the tree (wood) must be old, preferably large, reach the bottom of the river and divert current. Notice that I did not say that the water has to be deep.
Pull up to a wood pile in a river some time and yank off a few branches that have been in the water for a long time. Hold it up in the sun for about five minutes and it will begin to crawl. The rotting wood attracts lots of critters and they are uncomfortable out of the water. They blend with the old wood so well that you will need for them to begin to squirm around to see a lot of them.
This living blanket on the old wood is a banquet for bait fish and larger insect critters that feed on this squirming mess. This in turn attracts bait fish and in turn brings in just what you are looking for, old whiskers.
The cats lay under the wood in holes that are scooped out by the current that is diverted by the tree. Anchor on the upstream side and throw down within five yards with some fresh cut bait. The cats will follow the scent from the bait right out to your hook. Hang on with both hands.
New wood or trees that have just fallen in from cut banks or flooding don't qualify because they haven't had time to accumulate the necessary layer of living insects that the bait fish feed on. It may also be that the tree has not reached the correct level of decomposition to attract much of a population.
Don't let water depth put you off. I have caught literally hundreds of fish in water 2 - 3 feet deep. That old snag that others are passing by because of shallow water may become you new secret hole.
If you need bait fish, fish on the downstream side of the wood pile. The bait fish accumulate there because the predators have a hard time getting at them and they like a safe place to hide. An ice fishing bobber and a small hook baited with night crawler will produce a few goldeye or mooneye for the best cut bait you can lay your hands on.
Try it, you will like it.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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James Holst
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Northstar,
I enjoy your posts and must compliment you on your willingness to share solid info. It is appreciated... 
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James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host
IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
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56twister
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Very well put northstar, I for one take it for granted that people know what I am talking about when I say that I am fishing in timber.
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I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy. - Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch
Richard
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RyanK
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Awesome post!! So when do ya want to go wet a line...  Sounds like you really know your stuff! I'm definitely bookmarking this post for next summer!
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Ryan- Putting Jakob on fish, one day at a time.
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northstar
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Thanks for the invite. I may take you up on that next summer. I'm not a hard water fisherman so the boat may be going in the barn as early as today. But, you're right, we should wet a line. This post is one of a series over the next couple of days. 
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Briank
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I read this right before I'm hanging up my long rods in the garage. It's a long time to the next flathead season. 
Don't forget to loosen your drags when storing your rod/reels again this year. 
Northstar, you're going to be making the winter much shorter!! 
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Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<
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northstar
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I've still got the itch so don't know if I'm going to try pool 4 like next Monday - Tuesday or not. Depends on the weather. Other wise, the long rods get hung up and the boat goes in the barn for tear down so I can finish the rebuild over the winter.
I really need to go out one more time. I can't let that disastrous trip to Mille Lac be the last one of the year. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Briank
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Silly goose! There isn't any catfish in Mille Lacs!
With the water temps on the rise, P4 might be the ticket for some flat action, with a bit of luck. Certainly should find some channels and shovelnose sturgeon!!
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Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<
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northstar
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I'll check in if I come down.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Whiskerkev
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If you want to go Lake fishing you should come down here. Good post.
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northstar
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Quote:
If you want to go Lake fishing you should come down here. Good post.
Thanks for the invite. I have 300 lakes in my county and go to the river to fish. Probably crazy, but that's nothing new.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Whiskerkev
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The lake here is a special place. The cats here are well fed... I used to drive 2 hours to the river as well but have since learned I was leaving pretty good water to go there for skinnier fish.
Edited by Whiskerkev (11/11/09 12:07 PM)
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northstar
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No cats in my lakes.  That's sure a hog you got there. No wonder you don't leave home.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Jared Rypka-Hauer
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I come from a long line of outdoorsmen (there are a few outdoorsy women back there too), but I'm in a strange place in the family tree. The old timers are all too old, if they're even still alive, to be interested in teaching much. Besides, they all live 250 miles away. My mom's dad died when she was 16 and her step-dad never fished.
And yet I've always had this yearning to learn from the old timers. To learn the habits and the tricks and all that stuff that gets handed down from one generation to the next. It's the stuff In Fishermen articles talk about, learning how to fish cats from my grandad, learning how to find monster crappies from Uncle Frank...
All that to say something like this:
Northstar, it's posts like this that make me know I'll be hanging around on IDO for a long time... because this big little boy's hope to learn from the old timers is finally starting to come true. Thank you. 
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Whoever first said "Better a bad day fishing than a good day at work" is the wisest person who ever lived.
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northstar
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Quote:
Northstar, it's posts like this that make me know I'll be hanging around on IDO for a long time... because this big little boy's hope to learn from the old timers is finally starting to come true. Thank you.
Well compliments like that will only get you more windy stories. It was pretty good all but that last part about being old. There's a lot of frost on the pumpkin these days, but how does that country song go, "I'm as good once as I ever was."
The best way to learn these things is in the boat with me.
Now go snag a big one out from under that log pile.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Briank
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Not to worry NS...Jared said he could get me a deal on a coffin if I hadn't made out my five year plan yet.
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Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<
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northstar
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Not to worry NS...Jared said he could get me a deal on a coffin if I hadn't made out my five year plan yet.
I figure I'll let who ever is left do the dealing on the coffin. Personally, I vote for cremation and having my ashes scattered someplace where the birds and fish can get some use out of them. You know like the Mississippi and the Rainy.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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Jared Rypka-Hauer
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Quote:
It was pretty good all but that last part about being old.
Hey now, hang on a second here! There's a difference between just being "old" and being being an "old timer". The former just means dentures, arthritis, senility and general decrepitude. The other is a position of respect and wisdom in the communty of outdoorsmen. 
Old people are no fun, but old timers keep you on your toes...
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Whoever first said "Better a bad day fishing than a good day at work" is the wisest person who ever lived.
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Jared Rypka-Hauer
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Not to worry NS...Jared said he could get me a deal on a coffin if I hadn't made out my five year plan yet.
I know a reformed ax-murderer who bought a few too many for his private stash, so if anyone wants a deal on one, let me know. 
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Whoever first said "Better a bad day fishing than a good day at work" is the wisest person who ever lived.
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daveho
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Northstar
Great info on fishing wood for flat heads. Down here in pool 11 there are tons of wood piles. I tried a lot of wood piles last Aug. and Sept with some success,I have several log piles on my list to try next season. I lost a lot of hooks and sinkers learning about wood.Thanks for the excellent post.
Daveho
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Briank
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Dave, when I find a snag I want to fish I boat around it looking at my locator trying to see where the wood starts in front of it. Some times that's tricky because of the faster current in the spring, but will some care taken it can be done.
Once I have a general idea, I look for my best anchor spot. One that will reach the close to shore area and if I'm lucky the current seam that forms around to outer edge on the deep(er) side.
The using a sinker only...no hook, I cast and "feel" out the best and closest spots to cast two with a hook and bullhead. Sometimes just a few feet to one side or the other will get me a LOT closer into the snag.
It's a little work, but it pays off in less tackle lost and in some cases I would say more fish to the boat.
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Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<
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northstar
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Quote:
Hey now, hang on a second here! There's a difference between just being "old" and being being an "old timer". The former just means dentures, arthritis, senility and general decrepitude. The other is a position of respect and wisdom in the communty of outdoorsmen.
Old people are no fun, but old timers keep you on your toes...
Have you been selling freezers to Eskimos lately. We seniors are going to have to hire you for our public relations guy.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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northstar
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Quote:
I know a reformed ax-murderer who bought a few too many for his private stash, so if anyone wants a deal on one, let me know.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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northstar
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Quote:
Northstar
Great info on fishing wood for flat heads. Down here in pool 11 there are tons of wood piles. I tried a lot of wood piles last Aug. and Sept with some success,I have several log piles on my list to try next season. I lost a lot of hooks and sinkers learning about wood.Thanks for the excellent post.
Daveho
Daveho, if you aren't losing some tackle, you probably aren't catfishing. Show us some of those biguns.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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northstar
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Quote:
The using a sinker only...no hook, I cast and "feel" out the best and closest spots to cast two with a hook and bullhead. Sometimes just a few feet to one side or the other will get me a LOT closer into the snag.
Now why didn't I think of that?
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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RyanK
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Quote:
Quote:
The using a sinker only...no hook, I cast and "feel" out the best and closest spots to cast two with a hook and bullhead. Sometimes just a few feet to one side or the other will get me a LOT closer into the snag.
Now why didn't I think of that?
X 2!!! Man, it's so simple!! Can't believe I haven't thought of that!!
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Ryan- Putting Jakob on fish, one day at a time.
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daveho
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Brian
That sounds like a good idea. If you are fishing that close to the snag you can't be using the bait clicker. When you are that close do you use the rod holders or do you hang on to the rod and cross their eyes as soon as you feel a good tug.I know when I use the bait clicker too close to wood you would here a few clicks then stop,and then when you tried to reel up you were snagged.
My house is located right on Jack Oak slough witch connects to the main channel. There is a good wing dam 200 yds above my house, with a good flathead snag just above the dam. I keep two boats in the water all summer a 24 ft pontoon and a 16 ft flat bottom. Takes me longer to catch my bait than to get to my spots.
All of my fishing was done in Aug and Sept. at night. We caught 6 flatheads and one gigantic gar in about ten trips.
The biggest was 21 lbs. I did post some pictures of that trip. We were skunked several times but had fun and learned something every time out.
I sure would like to get up your way and try for those sturgeon. There are some sturgeon in our stretch of river but they are protected.The closest sturgeon fishing would be 30 miles north on the Wis. River.
Thanks for all the good posts
Daveho
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Briank
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Line out alarms and rod holders is how my mouse trap works. I'm guessing we end up about 75 feet up stream of the snag.
Having a boat on the river sure makes it a snap to get out, lucky guy!
Dave, get a few of your buddies together and get up with the Sturgeon Excursion! Out of the 4 years we've been going up there MAY have been one person that didn't catch a fish...don't know that for a fact, it was told to me second hand. It's not a matter of if you'll catch a sturgeon, it's more about how many and how big!!
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Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<
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northstar
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t's not a matter of if you'll catch a sturgeon, it's more about how many and how big!!
Now that's the truth. And the answer probably will be many and large. In 2008, there were 100s of sturgeon caught. Everywhere you looked someone had a sturgeon all the time you were out. Our group caught and released 72 in three days. I did not know about the Sturgeon Excursion at that time, we just had our own group up there but we had to be fishing along side a lot of guys with that group.
What a great time.
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Northstar - Even as you have done it unto the least of my children, you have done it unto me.
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The wood in the water rule
