Author Topic: water temp (Read 1476 times)

shb · « **on:** March 31, 2003, 01:34:26 PM »

Strangely enough my tuesday night, night class is within surf-casting distance of a canal that is one of my favorite Catfish holes. I will be able to get a water temp tommorow night, and I'm guessing it will be in the high 30's to low 40's. We are scheduled for highs in 70's and 80's this week so I'm hoping we might see the first cat movement of the season by this weekend.

What kind of water temps do folks in the other regions of the country have, north and south? And how soon have you guys seen the first good cat movements of the year?

I will get back to you guys on my actual temps and first cats, as soon as I find a day to escape from Honey do's, work, and classes.

wish me luck.

John · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2003, 07:05:11 AM »

Surface temps are in the 60's here in NE Oklahoma. The flatheads and the channels seem to be bothered a bit by cooler waters, but the blue cats will bite all year round.

Seems like the flathead want water in the 40 degree range and up before they will feed. I'm not sure what the channels want, but they do get active before the flats do.

shb · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2003, 08:03:22 AM »

John, have you had the opportunity to go chase em yet? are you having any luck?

John · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2003, 09:07:59 AM »

I've been cattin off and on for a couple of weeks now. The strong winds have kept me out of the swamp though. We've had some pretty good blows, up to 40mph, and many days with 30mph gusts. When the waves are comin over the ends of the jon boat, it's time for this old fart to get back to the house.

I've kept 20 some channels, the largest was 10 pounds. I've caught some in the 6-8 pound range as well, and several in the 3-4 pound range. Most have been good keepers. The only real small ones that were tossed back were caught on some gold fish that some damn bass fisherman put on some of my hooks. I had a chat with the bass boy, he saw my pistol, and I don't think he'll mess with my stuff anymore.

I've only caught one flathead so far. It was just a pup of around 8 pounds or so, and I tossed it back. I don't keep flats under around 15 pounds.

If the winds will quit, I'll start baitin up about every day.

shb · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2003, 07:47:22 AM »

my water temp was 52 ! I don't know whethter that is accuarate or I need my guage calibrated. The first good bites last year started at about this temp. I will have to give em a try this weekend

chubjerker · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2003, 07:20:36 AM »

The water temp here in the Arizona desert is 57.8 today. I expect to see some movement when the water breaks 60. A few channel cats are being caught, but they haven't really turned on yet and I haven't heard anything about flatheads.

shb · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2003, 02:24:34 PM »

Welcome to the forum chubjerker, I've read plenty of good stuff about AZ cats. At 58 degrees there has to be something biting somewhere, when you get them pinned down be sure to let us know about it. And post any pictures you take while out chasing cats. Im sure there are plenty of folks (like me ), who like to see other peoples pictures and hear their stories so don't be shy.

Good Luck and Go get em.