Tailrace Tactics
by Ron Presley
When action or table fare is more important than size, target some Pickwick Lake channel cats.
In trophy catfish waters channel catfish are often seen as second-class citizens when compared to blue cats and flatheads. The characterization is mostly because of size. A lot of anglers naturally want to catch big fish and the channels don’t grow nearly as big as the blues or flats.
Anglers that think that way may be missing out. Targeting channel cats and matching them with the appropriately sized tackle can be a true sporting proposition. The result can be a spirited fight and a tasty meal.
Experts report that the channel cat is North America’s most numerous catfish species and the most fished for catfish species. In my home state of Kansas, it is the official fish of the state. The same is true for Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River in general are known for their trophy catfish. Consequently, channel cats don’t get that much attention in waters where they are plentiful.
Master Captain Brian Barton is a multispecies fishing guide in and around Colbert County, AL. While trophy cats are what many of his guests prefer, others come to chase the frisky channel cats. Channel cats are excellent prey when numbers of fish are desired for a fish fry or when kids are on the boat and action is more important than size.
“Channel cats are under pursued in our area,” informed Barton. “But they are surprisingly easy to catch. Channels are numerous in the tailrace below Wilson Dam and on wood and shallow bluffs in the remainder of Pickwick Lake. Our channel cats are much smaller than their midwestern cousins, ranging in size from 1 to 3 pounds. They make excellent table fare.”
Most anglers are familiar with the phrase, “Find the bait and you find the fish.” Barton noted that in the summer and fall when the young shad are running the walls of the dam the channel catfish congregate feeding on the shad. The catfish are often so thick on the surface of the water you can dip 5 or 6 at a time in a large net.
Large exposed rocks in the tailrace below the dam harbor the channel cats but also present a challenge to navigation. The structure protruding through the water’s surface is broken pieces of concrete that were used in building the dam.
“The channel cats don’t normally relate to the scattered rocks,” instructed Barton. “The majority of channels are along the wall of the dam or concrete areas close by. When the current is strong the catfish will position themselves downstream of the larger rocks. For best success in heavy current, anglers should target large, isolated rocks or rock piles, which create large eddies of slack water when the turbines are generating.”
“In the mid and lower lake regions the channels thrive on wood,” added Barton. “Usually they can be found along rock or shallow bluff walls. They also invade weed lines in very shallow water at night, feeding on mollusks and other small invertebrates. The main difference in blue and channel cat habitat in our area is water depth. Channels often stay in 5 to 10 feet of water on our deep lakes, even in the wintertime.”
“As with any fish on the Tennessee River, the more current the better,” advised Barton. “Unless it’s flooding when the currents are strong, the catfish tend to pull tighter to cover or seek out eddy pockets just outside the main current. During floods, I have caught channel catfish on the McFarland Park Golf Course with trotlines in 2 to 4 feet of water. Cypress trees are another channel cat magnet. They love to bury up in the knees, particularly during the spawn.”
Barton downsizes his equipment for the channel cats. He prefers light tackle that gives his anglers a better fight.
“I like the original B’n’M SilverCat rods for channels,” Barton said. “They are lighter and allow the angler to enjoy the fight. I use the 7.5-foot medium action spinning rod. My spinning reel is spooled with Vicious 8- to 10-pound test Hi-Vis mainline. The yellow line makes it easier to detect bites.”
“My hook of choice is the Daiichi drop shot hook,” added Barton. “These sturdy, short shank hooks do excellent on the tough mouths of channel cats. I like a small hook, say a size 1 or 2. In my experience, common wire hooks will not hold up as well.”
Barton’s simple rig uses a split shot for weight, adjusted for the current. He adds the weight about 12 to 14 inches above the hook. If the current is too strong he simply adds another split shot.
Pickwick channel catfish tend to bite readily. Find them with the right bait and the action can be hectic. Because of their abundance, there are no limits on channels in Alabama but anglers should still practice selective harvest and take only what they can use.
To target channel catfish Barton uses a variety of baits. He likes to say, “The more it stinks the more they like it.”
“Prepared stink baits work great,” offered Barton. “They are also lovers of redworms, chicken livers, and shad guts. Shad guts are the best, but our shad population at the dam disappeared in 2018. I haven’t seen a shad dipped at the dam since then.”
Once Barton has chosen a bait, he casts towards the structure. His spinning gear does not require much weight. It’s not much different than casting a crappie or bass lure. Keep a tight line as the bait bumps downstream in the current along the bottom. If he’s on the wall of the dam, he usually makes a vertical presentation right under the boat. A straight dropdown makes it easy to adjust the depth to find where the fish are suspended.
“Navigation below Pickwick Dam can be challenging,” concluded Barton. “There are lots of submerged rocks, especially in October when the lake levels are normally lower. An angler who has never fished below Wilson Dam should consider a guide or seek out local advice to choose a route through the maze of rocks. Either way, proceed with caution knowing that the result will likely be plenty of feisty channel cats.”
