Catfishing on Utah Lake

[Stickfigurefrank]

Where is the best place to find the cats on the lake?? and what bait has been successfull? I am a newbie and just need tips on fishing in general
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[PrinceFisher]

If you have a boat, try Bird Island, which is towards the southern end of the lake. Watch out for how shallow it is around the Island, however, as there are several very long prop-dinging rows of rocks jutting out from the Island in many directions. A good fish finder is a must if you're not familiar with the Island.

If you're on foot, just about anywhere with good shore access is a likely place to find a kittie, although some well-known areas like Lincoln Beach or many of the harbors are good areas to try first.

I've found that fishing a shrimp/worm combo 2.5 to 3 feet below a bobber is a very good setup. You'll hear other fisherpersons give their recommendations for bait, but I've found this fresh combo works very well.

Best of luck, and I hope this helps.

PF
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[PrinceFisher]

BTW, welcome to BFT.
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[cat_man]

Hey stick, there are lots of great places to catch Catfish on Utah Lake. Start with any of the Marinas. There are several.

Provo Boat Harbor (Utah Lake State Park) off Center Street in Provo
Lindon Boat Harbor (see the Utah Fishing Holes Board for directions)
The Bubble-up (1/2 mile south of Lindon)
American Fork Boat Harbor
Saratoga Springs (Pelican Point) on the west side
Lincoln Beach (near Spanish Fork)

All of these areas will produce some good catfishing. Good baits to use include nightcrawlers, minnows, carp meat or white bass meat, or your favorite catfish bait. Usually fishing just barely off the bottom is best, keeping the bait from sinking into the mud. I like to fish carp meat on one hook, and a nightcrawler on the other one (with a 3 way swivel setup), and no weight, just cast it out and let it set there. You might even pick up a stray walleye or white bass this way too.

Good luck to ya!
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[Stickfigurefrank]

I went with my father in-law and he had me set up on a sliding sinker... i get nothing always/
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[svpdgcar]

[#505000]This has been my first year fishing for the kitty fish and I've not had much luck either. Although I did pick up a stray and very yummy walleye. I can't complain too much since I haven't been able to fish Utah Lake much (seems when I usually have a chance it's cold and yucky outside, not good kitty weather). [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]Shoot me a PM sometime and maybe we can get together to give it a try. It's always more fun to get skunked with company!![/#505000] []
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[Stickfigurefrank]

What weather is good to fish foir kitties? also for walleye?
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[ocean]

I had a lot of success at lincoln last year with just a worm and bobber combo.I did as godd if not better than most of the guys that used shrimp.I caught my biggest one yet last year of 18 lb channel and my daughter a 10lb . Also my son hooked up with a huge something out there on an anchovie that took line and wouldnt stop. It came off so we never knew what it was but thats when the cat bite was on .I will be out there again looking for kitties as soon as it warms up.Dont know how its going to be with the water getting higher this year.
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[cat_man]

Typically catfish require 2 -3 days of constant weather (stable) before they'll bite very well. Usually that means 2 - 3 days of calm weather but it can also mean 2 -3 days in a row of stormy weather. I usually do best in the early morning or around sunset for them on warm clear days. Others might have differing opinions. Just get out there and fish and don't give up and you'll get into them.

A sliding sinker rig will work too, but sometimes the fish will feel the weight if you're not careful and will drop the bait before you get a chance to set the hook. That's why I like to fish it weighless. There's no reason to put a sinker on unless you need a long casting distance.
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[Kent]

Some tips that might be of benefit to you. Do not set the hook on catfish like when fishing for trout. Let the catfish run with the bait for at least 10 feet (even further doesn't hurt) without any resistance on the line before setting the hook. If the hook is set when the line first starts being pulled the majority of the time the bait will merely be pulled out of the catfish's mouth. If you are fishing where there is rocks on the shoreline, do not hesitate to also try close to shore (we are talking within a foot or two of the shore). I have caught cats in less than a foot of water only inches from the shore, even during the middle of the day.
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[Kent]

If you have a boat and try Bird Island count on dinging your prop. I have only met one fisherman who has fished Bird Island from a boat who claims that he didn't ding his prop. I am sure that there are a few others who haven't dinged their prop, at least the first time they fished Bird Island, but not many. Also, if the weather looks iffy at all, either stay away from Bird Island or if you are there get away from it before the wind picks up. Bird Island is no place to be in a storm in any size of boat.
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[Fishcrazy]

I fish Bird Island,its best to stay to the West of it until you are even with it,then move into it very carefully.I would stay away from the South side of the island.I have had two prop proplems on that side,one on my main engine,one on my bow electric.I fish under a big slip bobber.The guy that taught me,said,when your bobber disappears,start to reel up slow until you feel the fish wiggle,then set the hook hard.That seems to work,a shrimp above a whole night crawler,gob it on.[]
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[Stickfigurefrank]

being as new as I am can anyone give me some good instruction on rigging? I hear a lot of talk about "slip bobber" and "shrimp above a whole worm". I feel really dumb but I dont know what those terms mean.
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[ocean]

This is the best pic i have .Hope you can see how it is rigged.
1)Start with a leader i use about 20 inches and then see if i need it longere or shorter depending on what depth the fish are being caught.
2)Connect your leader to a hook then a swivel.
3)Slide a bobber to the line coming from the reel.
4)Then tie your main line to the swivel.
5)Put a split shot to keep the bobber from sliding .You can always adjust your split shot to whatever depth you need to fish in hope this helps.
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[Kent]

Here is some Slip Bobber 101 information:

[url "http://www.hloutdoors.com/swami.htm"]Click here[/url]

I am very familiar with slip bobbers, but I found this immediately by doing a search on Google.com. Those who have not learned how to use Google are missing out on the power of the Internet. You might even be surprised what you find if you do a search on your own name on Google. I found out I am a famous law officer in Nevada (not me) and that I have a business license as a CPA in North Salt Lake (this is me).
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[Kent]

BTW -- what TD suggested about "begging" on BFT in a tactful way will pay dividends. I have received extremely useful information from several fellow BFT members on where and how to catch catfish, and I have fished with one fellow BFT member, and will fish with him again, who knows how and where to catch catfish at Utah Lake, and one of these first days I will take a member of BFT out fishing for cats who has asked me to take him out for catfish on Utah Lake (and this man has shared some valuable information on fishing Flaming Gorge and other bodies of water, and on trolling techniques). Bottom line, "What goes around comes around". I am far from an expert on catfishing on Utah Lake, but I can catch my share (just not any huge ones yet). I wish I had the time to take all of you catfish newbies who want to go after them, but alas I can't. I do find it humerous how different people think their way is the only way to fish for them, and others feel just as strongly about their methods (and the two methods are in conflict) -- the catfish don't mind, they can be caught using multiple methods and with countless baits (one of my most successful baits at Willard, for example, was weiners soaked in vanilla and weiners soaked in vinegar).
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[ocean]

So thats what weiners are for![] I guess i better tell my kids that they are not for roasting on a campfire![sly]
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[FlyingFish]

Thanks for the slip bobber link. I just started using them this year. I bought the little rubber stops but think Id like to try the tie on style.

By the way- Googleing your name can yield some surprises. My name is shared with a gay porn star! I wonder how many of my old high school buddies have tried to locate me on an internet search. Yikes!
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[Fishcrazy]

What I meant is,using a #2 baitholder hook,slide a shrimp all the way on the hook,and even a little way up the line,then gob on a nightcrawler.I use the twist on plastic bobber in large.Can't think of the name of them,but they come in red and green,most sporting goods stores have them.These are bobbers that you run the line thru,then twist, winding the rubber tube inside to the line.Instead of using it this way,I let it slide on the line,to adjust the depth of the bait I use a small removable split shot above the bobber.
Start hanging out a Sportsmans warehouse,or some tackle store and ask the sales person questions,that kind of what they get paid for.Hope I have not you farther.Every one of us started out fishing just like you,most fisherpeople want to help beginners.If I can help you more PM me.[]

MIKE
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