Matt ‘Catmatt” Jones specializes in seeking trophy flatheads on Illinois’ Rock River.
He has retired from full-time guiding, but continues part time and is one of those
rare guides who offer guaranteed success. Photo courtesy Matt “Catmatt” Jones
Guide of the Month: Matt “Catmatt” Jones
by Capt. Richard Simms
(Editor’s Note: This month marks the launch of a new CatfishNOW.com feature. Each month we’ll spotlight one of the professional guides listed on our “Find A Guide” page — the men and women who can help you load a freezer, land the fish of a lifetime or unlock the secrets behind catching the river legends most anglers only dream about. If you’re a professional, licensed catfish guide and you’re not already included on our “Find a Guide” page, e-mail CatfishNOW.com Editor Keith Sutton for information how you can get listed.)
Matt “Catmatt” Jones has been guiding for 27 years, mostly on Illinois’ Rock River, near the Quad Cities at the border of Illinois and Iowa.
“I’ve guided for people from several countries and 30-plus states,” said Jones. “I’ve guided pop and country stars, Super Bowl champions and MMA stars. But most of the time it’s simple folks who have the greatest stories.”
For many years Jones was a fulltime catfish guide, but as he’s grown older, he has backed off to guiding part time and especially loves targeting trophy flatheads out of his 17-foot Smokercraft.
He said, “I will be doing a very limited amount of flathead guide trips. These trips will be ‘guaranteed catch’ trips – preferably 1-on-1 but two is a possibility.”
Fully licensed and insured, Jones provides everything an angler needs to fish except fishing licenses, food and drinks. He offers trips for 4, 6 or 8 hours, starting at $200.
On flathead trips, he says he is always targeting fish 30 pounds and up. However, he also fishes for channel catfish that he says run up to 15 or 18 pounds. He adds, however, that “most people prefer numbers to size when channel catfishing.”
He says his success rate over his career is 96 percent on flatheads and “99.99 percent on channel catfish.”
He does not require deposits and offers a fair cancellation policy because, “I know on my end, weather and water are extremely unpredictable.”
Gratuities are not expected, but appreciated.
His preferred technique is static anchor fishing using MadKatz rods and reels and BossKat terminal tackle from TTI Blakemore. However, he is always open to anglers bringing their own gear if they wish.
He welcomes kids and beginning anglers, saying, “Absolutely, that’s what it’s all about.”
He says the best time to fish with him is May through September, and booking well in advance is always advisable.
“If you have ever wanted to chase a flathead with me, pull the trigger,” he said. “My years of guiding are numbered as I now have grandkids and other family I want to spend time on the water with.”
You can e-mail Jones at Flatheadmechanic40@gmail.com or call him at 815-590-6005.
(From Chattanooga, Tennessee, author Capt. Richard Simms is owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. He has been a catfish guide on the Tennessee River for 20 years. He began his outdoor career as a Tennessee game warden, later choosing journalism (and guiding) as his chosen profession. You can contact him at Richard@ScenicCityFishing.com or connect with him on his Facebook page.)
