OT - fish Ohio channel cat

[wabi]

Finally caught one at the local lake this evening that will qualify for the "Fish Ohio" award. Wind was blowing hard out of the north and it took me about 3 tries to get my bait where I wanted it.
I was using my new Abu Garcia "6500 Catfish Pro" reel which I upgraded (replaced bushings with ball bearings) to a 6 bearing reel on a Cabela's "Salt Striker" 7'0" MH rod. Using cut bait sprayed with Shad scented attractant.
Got the bait between two old tree tops in the water in the shallow inlet and of course the fish got in one of them when it ran. I kept giving it a little line then reeling in, and I finally got it out of the branches.
Not the biggest channel cat in the world, but for our local lake it's my personal best catch.
27½" long - 8lb 9oz

8lb 9oz 27.5in channel cat April 17.JPG

[frisky]

Congrats Looks like a keeper to me!

[FredBear]

Great job Mike! im yet to get a fish Ohio yet this year. Congrats on a nice fish.

[hetichunter]

nice fish.....................

i can see by the picture the excitement you are feeling.............

[vixenmaster]

Catfish looks good wabi lets eat it

[roly]

Bullheads are starting here

We use a string bob and a cane pole what a hoot, and goooood eatin.

[Hoss]

very nice cat Wab.....hell eat just fine...good job

[delta_dog]

Nice cat !! There just starting to hit here in Pa.

[delta_dog]

Nice cat!! There just starting to hit here in Pa.

[groundpounder]

GREAT channel cat Wabi! Crappie have been doing pretty good here lately and having fun with the trout all winter long. I haven't started for the cats just yet.

[wabi]

Catfish looks good wabi lets eat it

I very rarely keep one under 3# or over 5# for eating, but I did fillet this one for the table. The wife cooked one fillet for dinner last night and it was enough to feed the 3 of us with a nice chunk left over for the old fellow we keep an eye on since he has been able to return home from the nursing home. His daughters won't cook anything but store-bought food for him, and he loves the fish & game we share with him.

[Hoss]

you must have caught plenty in your life wab cause your spot on..Them are the best eatn ...I had a cold crappie sandwich for breakfast this morn..colby cheese and crappie oh boy that and a coffee is awsome..

[vinemack]

can l come for dinner

[wabi]

Mike, I like the hat...nice cat too!

Bob, that's one of the few hats I can stand to wear for long periods.
In a good hat I have to order a "long oval" shape to be able to stand it. That one is actually made to my specific size (7¼) and is soft enough to fit my head.