Recap

Before I put out trotline and started this blog - I got a 3 lb (3 lb 4oz) flathead on yoyo. BTW: I usually round down on weight to nearest 0.5 lb e.g. between 3 and 3.4 lb will be listed as 3lb

Since I put out trotline - I bait it most days but sometimes with limited bait - it's only partially baited. There are 22 hooks and sometimes I only have 10 or 12 bream and I might put on magic stink bait or dead shad or whatever is laying around :)

This morning with dead shad / live bream (50:50) - I got a 5 lb catfish that only was 3.5 lbs :) This fish is very very long and thin - so I figure it's a mom that already laid her eggs - and if I had got her before the spawn she would have been much bigger. (her belly is flat) Anyway here is trotline recap with real weights :)

Trotline (all channel cats):
4 lb
7 lb
2.5 lb
3.5 lb

So for a trotline that I just put in an easy place to reach (instead of a good place to catch catfish) - I'm doing great i.e. I bet the people that are putting their lines in the good areas' (the flats along the channel - the heavy stumps - etc ) - are probably tearing up the catfish (fish reports in newspaper back this up - but who believes them :( Plus I had a neighbor get a 36 lb the first night they put out their line

But for those that know me - and know that I run the trotline as hobby - to get exercise - cause I'm retired and sit on my butt too much.. ... The most amazing fact about my trotline season so far is that - I CLEANED EVERY ONE OF THE FISH I GOT - where normally I give them away

Well I may change my luck today - I may not clean this 3.5 lb - if I can find someone to give it to :) :) - wish me luck (my excuse I feel sorry for the mom with her thin long form)