Fall Fishing: Don’t Put That Gear Away Yet
I know that with fall there are many other activities that can interfere with your desire to go fishing. Maybe you have more chores to do on the weekend now that your kids are back in school and you have to deal with all their activities. Maybe you are looking forward to the hunting season or maybe you just like to watch football. In any case having time to fish may be a problem but I urge to find the time to go. Fall fishing can be one of the most rewarding times of year for any angler.
How To Use Catfish Traps
Catfish traps are regulated or prohibited in many states. Before learning how to use catfish traps you should know the regulations for your area ahead of time. The reason for them being regulated so stringently regulated is that channel catfish must be able to move to breathe. If they can’t breath they suffocate and die. You must also take responsibility for how you use the catfish traps. If you use the catfish trap to catch channel catfish for food that is fine but if you place the trap you must check it at least every 12 hours.
There are two types of catfish traps that are commonly used. One is a box made from wood slats with the entrance on one end across the bottom. The entrance into the box is angled out from the box. Another type is a box made from heavy wire mesh with a funnel made of wire at one end that narrows to a small opening in side the box. Both traps work by guiding the catfish through a small opening into the box. Whichever one you choose make sure it is big enough for the size fish you intend to trap. Big catfish are strong and can move a small trap especially if they have current helping them.
Once you have choosing what type of trap you will be using you need to decide on what bait you will be using. A lot of people use dog food. It does not cost much as a large supply can be purchased for fewer than ten dollars. Some of the other baits used are cheese, chicken livers, stink baits, and anything else you would normally use to fish for channel catfish. Another bait that seems to work very well is canned cat food but since cat food dissolves rapidly the best way to use it is to poke holes in the can and place the can in the trap.
That is all there is to it. Now you know how to use catfish traps. If it is legal in your area and you decide to use a catfish trap be responsible and check it as often as possible. Do not leave it in the water if you are not going to check it. Fish will swim into it and die.
Fishing: Northeastern Louisiana report
BLACK BAYOU – Bass are fair on lizards and floating worms fished around brush and grass. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are scattered and slow.
CANEY LAKE – Lots of school bass are being caught in the coves on Pop R’s, Crazy Shads and smoke grubs. A few bigger bass have been caught off the deeper points on 11 inch worms. Crappie are fair to good as they’re suspended around the submerged tops in 15 foot water. Jigs or shiners will work on these fish.
Chinquapins continue to bite cold worms fished on the bottom on the flats in 8-10 foot water.
CHENIERE LAKE – The lake is still high and few people are fishing.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – A good many bream are being caught in fairly shallow water on worms and crickets. Catfishing is fair to good on trotlines baited with live bream or goldfish. Bass fishing is fair with best catches made at night on black spinners or plastic worms fished around the lighted piers or along dark banks.
Crappie fishing is slow to fair on shiners or jigs fished around submerged brush. Stripers are fair trolling bucktails or spoons. A night bass tournament, sponsored by Parden’s Paradise, is being held every Friday night. Call Parden’s Paradise at 927-2264 for details.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Because of hurricane induced rains and run-off, the lake is having a hard time falling, even with the spillway gates open. A good many bream are being caught off the banks on red wigglers. Catfish continue to bite cold worms fished off the banks. Crappie are scattered and slow. Bass fishing is best fishing points with current on lipless crank baits.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is high and rising and few people are trying to fish.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Bass fishing is fair while the crappie are scattered and slow. Catfish are biting cut bait and bream are fair on worms and crickets.
LAKE ST. JOHN – The lake is has been closed due to high water to protect piers and boathouses from boat traffic.
LAKE YUCATAN – The lake is rising and fishing has slowed.
