2014 Episode Synopsis


Episode 250 : Grand River Cats

Today, the Mercury Marine Destination takes us over to the Grand River near Dunnville, Ontario. This week, Charlie joins Fishmasters Steve Hardcastle for Channel Catfish on the Lower Grand. The Cats are here in big numbers and many stay for the summer, and if you hit it right, it can be fun with both size and numbers. This fishery can start as early as April and can be an absolute blast when other fisheries haven’t even started yet, or when the big waters are too rough to contend with. This sheltered area is just what the fishing bug ordered. Call or text Captain Steve Hardcastle 905-701-6874 or www.fishmastersultimatecharters.com

A quick run in the RAM 2500 Longhorn, and a beautiful spring day is shaping up. The RAM even makes getting the boat ready ....easy! This RAM has the convenient RAM boxes, and makes easy and quick access to ropes, storing straps, messy bait, etc., a breeze. The RAM box is a waterproof compartment down the outside panels of the bed, that can keep the smell and mess from the rest of the truck. Not only does the RAM box have lights for night time use, but can be hosed out for easy clean up. In the past, not only does Charlie store items for quick and easy access, but smelly bait and slime covered rain pants that he doesn’t want in the other parts of the vehicle. Clean up is wash and hose out, and it all runs out the drain hole at the bottom. At first, Charlie was unsure if the RAM box would be used much, it didn’t take long for this to be one of his favorite features.

Channel Cats on the Grand, this is about as simple as fishing can be. Shore fishing along the bank, or by boat, and tackle can stay simple with only a handful of terminal tackle. All you really need for this, is a few 2 oz egg sinkers to stay down in the current, a few 4/0 and 5/0 Mustad Circle hooks, and just about any rod and reel will do, but the more you do this, the more selective you get. Charlie loves a downrigger type action for the rods, and the Okuma Celilo does a perfect job. This rod has a soft bait feeding tip and plenty of backbone when strength and power is needed. The 50 lb test Seaguar Kanzen is well suited for this. More abrasion resistant than many other braided lines, no stretch and thin. Since Catfish have very poor sight but excellent feel, leaders are made of the same Seaguar Kanzen. The braided line is much softer to the touch over mono or Fluorocarbon, and the Cats do not feel it during the ‘pick up’. A 400 size Okuma Isis wide spool baitcaster rounds out the set up. Very simply, the entire set up is a Mustad Circle hook tied to a 18 – 24 inch leader of 50 lb Seaguar Kanzen. On your main line of 50lb Seaguar Kanzen, a 2 ounce egg sinker, a small plastic bead, and swivel. The leader is tied to the other end of the swivel. The bead is only there to prevent damage to the knot. Bait can be an assortment of Sucker meat, Shad, worms, etc. Anything that the Cats would normally find on the bottom of the river will work however, Steve sells a special brined Sucker meat that is hard to beat and saves the trouble and mess of doing it yourself.

For this day of fishing, Charlie brought along the 2050 Crestliner Raptor. This is an all round versatile fishing vessel. Generous room at the front on the casting deck, and perfectly designed for room in the back for trolling, and still room to spare. With a Mercury 300 hp Verado being the maximum horsepower, needless to say this is a Walleye style boat with Bass boat speeds that can really cover the water quickly, and with the whisper quiet Mercury Verado, fuel efficiency is an added bonus. Fishing from the boat, anchors are a must, and two is even better to keep the boat from any movement. In the shallows or on the ledge casting to deeper water, even better than a regular anchor is the Minn Kota Talon anchoring system. This telescopic pole will hold the boat at the touch of a button, in rocks, mud or sand, this is a dream come true for holding the boat steady and exactly where you want it. New for this season is the 12 foot version, and that will sure to be seen on the back of Charlie’s boat this coming season.

Fishing Circle hooks is simple, and fish quite often hook themselves. Looking at a circle hook, you would wonder how they even catch a fish since they are bent back in toward the shank of the hook. The trick is steady pressure. If you set the hook like a regular J-hook, they will shoot out almost every time without catching. But when used properly, the Circle Hook is extremely efficient at consistent hook ups, and almost always in the corner of the mouth. Circle hooks were designed to not only hook and hold well, but prevent deep throat and gut hooking. The design allows them to slide back up from potential deep gut hooking, and catch only the corner of the mouth. The steady pressure allows the hook to turn and work properly. With the rod in a rod holder, the fish actually will hook themselves, and many times you will find yourself seeing only a bent rod before you can react, these hooks work extremely well. Once you have confidence in the Mustad Circle hooks, you will purposely sit back and watch the rods slowly load into a powerful bend before you start reeling, just for the fun of it. For first timers, to avoid the ‘set hook’ motion, leave the rod in the rod holder and reel until the rod is loaded under pressure, then the hook will be set, this will avoid the motion we have all done for so many years with regular hooks, and that is to set that hook. It is an odd feeling at first not setting the hook, but with circle hooks, it is a must for these hooks to work properly.

With the Cannon track system and adjustable rod holders, rod placement can be exactly where you want it. If you are looking for an upgrade to your current boat, this is one that tops the list. With the ratcheting system on the rod holders, you can even pull back before taking the rod out of the holder. A nice feature when you are trying to keep tension on a fish. If you don’t have rod holders in your boat yet, plan on some before this, every year many rods are launched from the boat, or dragged from shore from powerful 20+ lb Channel Cats. Some fish will peck and play with the bait for minutes before a take, others just nail it, but this is a fun fishery that will surely keep you entertained.

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