CINCINNATI CATFISH GUIDE'S GOLDEN TIPS



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Nuggets From A Cincinnati Catfish Guide

I attended a seminar the other week by a local professional catfish guide. This guide

works the Ohio River about 15 miles above and below Cincinnati. His information relates to

catfishing on bigger rivers such as the Ohio.

The fishing spot he takes his clients fishing depends on the amount of current in the

river. The pool stage for the Ohio at Cincinnati is 26.6 feet. According to him when the

river is in pool than catfishing is very poor. He prefers the river to be in the 27 to 28

feet range with some current for the best fishing action. Once the river gets above 30 feet

then the current is too strong for good fishing.

When there is some current he prefers to bait with fresh cut bait. The current allows the

scent trail to spread all over to the catfish. In low or no current conditions he uses live

bait. The vibrations of the live bait will be pickup by the catfish in quite waters.
Skipjacks are the bait fish he prefers for they have a very oily body that produces a

excellent scent trail. The big problem is locating the skipjacks to use as bait. Normally

you just have to fish for the skipjacks and load up a small cooler. Then get home and bag

them for a freezer. Shad are much easier to locate and to catch for a fishing trip. Once a

school is spotted just throw out your casting net. He normally makes a couple casts and

has his large live well loaded for his client