You may have catfished all across the country, but until you explore the Mighty Mississippi,
you don’t really know what “big water” is. And when you fish big water, you can expect big fish.
Guide of the Month: Capt. Terry Rogers—Hooked on Cats
By Capt. Richard Simms
Photos courtesy of Capt. Terry Rogers
Where the mighty Ohio and Mississippi rivers come together in western Kentucky, giant catfish lurk in deep currents, swirling eddies and sprawling ledges. It’s the kind of place catfish anglers dream about hooking fish that can outweigh a small child. For the past eight years, Capt. Terry Rogers of Hooked On Cats LLC has made those dreams a reality for clients from across the country.
Rogers specializes in guided catfishing adventures on both the Mississippi River and the Ohio River, choosing whichever river is producing best based on seasonal conditions, water levels and fish activity. The region has long been famous for producing exceptional numbers of blue catfish, including trophy-class giants, and Rogers has built his reputation around consistently putting clients on quality fish.
Although currently a part-time guide, Rogers says he is preparing to make guiding his full-time profession soon. He is fully licensed and insured, holds a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s certification and is CPR and First Aid certified—credentials that give clients confidence while fishing on big, often challenging river systems.
Trips with Hooked On Cats are designed to accommodate everyone from complete beginners to experienced trophy hunters. Rogers offers four-hour and seven-hour guided trips, as well as specialized six-hour instructional “bumping” trips for anglers wanting to learn the highly effective current-fishing technique known as bottom bumping.
The pricing structure is straightforward: four-hour trips cost $175 per person, while seven-hour excursions are $225 per person. Instructional bumping trips are also $225 per person. Perhaps most appealing to families, children age 16 and under fish for half price.
Clients need only bring a valid Kentucky fishing license along with food and drinks for the day. Rogers supplies everything else, including rods, reels, tackle, bait and years of hard-earned river knowledge.
Rogers runs a 26-foot SeaArk ProGuide boat powered by a 250-hp Suzuki outboard. The boat is equipped with Humminbird XPlore 12 sonar electronics and a Minn Kota trolling motor, giving him the ability to precisely control drifts and stay on productive structure. The spacious boat comfortably accommodates up to four customers and includes a sun and rain canopy to help keep anglers comfortable in changing weather conditions.
Fishing methods vary depending on river conditions and seasonal patterns. Rogers says controlled drifting is generally his most productive approach, followed closely by bumping techniques. Anchoring or spot-lock fishing plays a smaller but still important role when conditions warrant.
While Rogers can target channel catfish and flathead catfish on request, his primary focus is trophy blue catfish. He said average fish commonly range from 15 to 25 pounds, while fish in the 30- to 50-pound class are landed regularly. Fish exceeding 50 pounds are far from rare on his trips.
Rogers estimates his success rate over the past eight years at nearly 100 percent. Still, he understands that fishing is never guaranteed. That reality inspired one of the more unique policies in the guide business: his “no fish, no pay” guarantee.
“If I don’t put at least one fish in the boat for your party, you will not be charged for the balance due of your trip,” Rogers explained. “Getting skunked sucks bad enough. You shouldn’t have to pay for it, too.”
Reservations require a $100 non-refundable deposit, though Rogers does provide refunds when severe weather prevents safe fishing.
Trips typically launch from the riverfront ramp in Wickliffe. Guide trips are offered annually from March through November.
All catfish over 20 pounds are released while clients are welcome to keep smaller fish if desired. He does not provide fish-cleaning services.
One aspect of the business Rogers clearly treasures most is introducing children and newcomers to big-river catfishing.
“Seeing kids land a monster catfish means everything to me,” he said. “The smiles on their faces when they’re trying to hold up one of those huge fish for pictures makes all the hard work worth it. Those are memories they’ll carry forever.”
For more information or reservations, visit Hooked On Cats LLC, email HookedOnCatsLLC@gmail.com or call 270-210-4308.
(Capt. Richard Simms also writes for our sister magazine, CrappieNOW. He is a “semi-retired” fishing guide on the Tennessee River and owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. Formerly, he was a game warden for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before becoming a photographer and PR guy for TWRA. That led to a 30-year career as a broadcast journalist and freelance outdoor writer. Check out his book, “An Outdoor State of Mind.”)
