So, whats the thoughts on this then, anybody got any sneaky info on spots or river sections they have heard of. Its common knowledge they are through the thames but anyone heard of them popping up anywhere else. I have heard of the odd one showing in the trent but does anyone know of any more? I am really coming round to the idea of catching a uk river cat, and the EA line on this is that they have no issue with anyone fishing for them but if you catch you need to inform them and retain the fish for them to remove.
So I think I am going to launch an attack on them, risky I know but hey, so venue info for me to target would be much appreciated and if anyone wants to join me then the more baits in the water the better. I already have a spot and some partners in crime lined up but I suppose its no good keeping it a secret now, like I said I have come round to the conclusion that ten pegs filled are better than one.
There have been odd fish come out of the Ouse for many years, apparently (bit before my time) Dick Walker wrote an article entitled Lost Monsters of the Ouse, in which he suggested these big fish which were being hooked and lost were cats, the area where the river lark enters near Ely reputedley holds a head of cats. Also the area around Huntingdon could be worth a go. one area deffo worth a go is little paxton, a 35lb fish was caught 2003.
There is a massive irony here as well the cats in the Ouse were stocked by the EA in the 80's at a place called Overcote - a 100 fingerlings were introduced 'as an experiment'. Just contrast that to the EA / Defra attitude these days!
A fish of 5 foot long was caught 2 years ago from the river Welland at Spalding, Double figure cats have been caught in eel nets from the tidal Nene. The Severn also holds cats, again a 35lb fish was taken last year. Small cats have also been caught from the river Weaver at winsford in matches.
I think the best bet of a river cat would come from the Thames, Trent or Ouse.
i do know a couple of areas which have produced cats this year if anyone wants the info pm me as i wouldnt like them killed lol
I cant believe the hipocrasy of stocking them wanting them removed. Cheers for the info dave, now that is a list to get my teeth into. Have come up with a river rig that johny has seen, Its my rig, my contribution, I know it already takes pike and I want to put a name to it so I can leave my mark so to speak, silly I know but I have always wanted to put a name to a rig, so any ideas would be welcome. Will take some photos of it when I go on my river expedition in the next couple of weeks. Cant really keep it a secret as a bit of research is all you need. Have identifies a section of the Trent that they are showing to large sizes so a few of us a going to hit it hard. If anyone wants to join us then the more baits the better but if anyone can come up with a name for the rig its a pop up river deadbait rig that presents the bait in the most natural way you could imagine. Was thinking along the lines of the river popper or something but you can see when I put the picturs up. So to sumerise, anyone joining us and anyone got any rig names?
When and where? Would like to join the quest if I'm free!
Week on friday until sunday. If you really fancy it mate I will pm you the details.
Hi sas, please pm details and I will check the calendar.
Bugger i am coming back from France that weekend, i am really up for a river session so any other time you can count me in. Karl, i'm toying with a new rig as well at the moment. it is for fishing liveys above weed without the problems of dragging the leasd through the bloody stuff and the bait getting weeded up, i'm yet to use it but a think it will work a treat so you show me yours and i'll show you mine! lol
I hear chunks of fresh barbel are a good cats bait but don't tell Dave
I thought it was flank fillets lightly hooked at one end and left to flow in the current but I think you only get two baits off a 15 lber.
Not even remotely funny!! gonna try using a kebab rig rig made from zander and horse!
So what do you reckon Karl Chunks or fillet PMSL
Dont forget mate I am a converted barbel addict, but I would say fillets myself. Gonna get the tide times and get some fresh eels this week. Reckon they would be the killer baits for cats on the river. I suppose instead of horse kebab you could just use donner? lol.
Well that didnt go according to plan. Pissed it down all week and the trent started flooding. Its a nightmare when it floods on that stretch and have never caught anything when its more than a foot up in summer, so the trip was cancelled. Went and fished the humber estuary at the back of my house and found a spot where the bottom must be paved with good sized Dabs. Fantastic eating and now have plenty of eels in the freezer to for when I get the cat rods out again. Having a crisis of confidence at the mo and taking a break from the rods before I snap them into little pieces! Looks like the trent may have to wait untill next year.
Hi Karl
Did you get many eels? where they easy to come by? Is it worth me bringing a rod up in a couple of weeks to catch a few?
Eric
We caught a few - I took one of about a pound for bait (it had swallowed the hook) and returned a few others of about 3/4lb - karl had one of about 1.5lb but had had a few a couple of nights before - there's certainly plenty around and I'm sure if you used decent eel baits then you'd have no probs. need to pick tides as well me thinks but reckon you could probably get enough baits for the year in a few sessions.
carl
Ok been doing a bit of asking around re cats in the thames.
Apparently kings walk at sunbury is a good bet and some guy has been fishing for them there for a couple of years.
The NRA licence inspector says "The barge walk" at hampton court has produced 2 forties and those two stretches are not a million miles apart!
Laleham?? Prey tell me more I was fishing there last night!
Eric
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