Tennessee River fishing guide Mike Mitchell (left) knows all the
tricks necessary to put his clients on trophy-class catfish
Capt. Mike Mitchell of Russellville, Alabama has established himself as one of the country’s top guides for trophy blue and flathead catfish. Through his business, SouthernCats Guide Service, he helps people target the fish of a lifetime in the Tennessee River and associated reservoirs such as Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick.
We asked Mike to share some basic tips for anglers wanting to target heavyweight cats, and this is what he had to say.
“First, don’t get stuck in a rut,” he said. “You must work on every technique available: drifting, anchoring, suspending, bumping, dragging, etc. Bait presentation is crucial, and big fish can be moody. One day moving baits will work, and sometimes an anchored bait works best. Start with big baits but try smaller baits for finicky fish.”
Trophy fishermen also need to remember that versatility isn’t just being able to use all those methods but also targeting different structure, depth and current speeds.
“Sometimes fish like to be in mud, and other times they prefer rock,” Mitchell reported. “Sometimes they will be where the current is fast, or slower water could be better. They may be in deep water, or they may be feeding in the shallows. Determining the facts helps you catch more fish, but the biggest thing again is not getting stuck in a rut. If one thing isn’t working, try something different.
“When we have a bad day, we often blame the fish,” he concluded. “Maybe they bit yesterday but not today, or something was off with the weather. But tournament experience shows us the fish can be caught daily. We just need to realize they have just changed patterns or their mood is different, and focus on what we did in the past to hook them.”
