Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 12
River Catfish
on Artificial Lures
by Chris Gorsuch
photos by the author
My introduction to Channel Catfish was
similar to most anglers-a medium-heavy
rod and reel outfit rigged with a heavy
sinker and some form of cut bait. Not a bad
way to go about it, but it led to some very
wrong presumptions as to the habitat and
character of this fish species. My perception
was that Channel Catfish were sluggish
bottom feeders, often too deep to target by
other fishing means. I was wrong.
Over the years, my eyes have been
opened. As an angler who prefers targeting
fish with artificial lures, it was difficult for
me to place just where Channel Catfish fell
in line with other gamefish in a given body
of water. Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge,
Smallmouth Bass, Walleyes, pike, and other
species seem to be more predator-like and
seemingly more willing to chase lures.
Since I spend about 200 days a year
on Pennsylvania rivers, I had to evolve
with the bass and Walleye population
fluctuation that occurs year-to-year under
a variety of ever-changing river levels
and conditions. To be a successful river
angler day after day, adapting to change
and finding new areas and techniques
is important. As I opened up to more
available water on a variety of rivers across
Pennsylvania, because conditions and
seasonal patterns dictated it, I discovered
why so many publications call Channel
Catfish "apex predators." I am convinced
that there is not a depth that is too deep,
too shallow, too swift, or turbid that these
fish cannot function and find food in.
My first "lightbulb moment" was perhaps a decade ago
while targeting bass and Walleye in swift, shallow water
with slash baits. This aggressive tactic entices fish to strike
12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2020
minnow-like artificial stickbaits, slashing erratically just
a foot or so under water in swift current. The fish need to
manage the current well and attack the struggling prey.
High sun, shallow, fast water, and a mixed bag of Walleye
www.fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 52
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 54
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 63
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 64
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 65
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 66
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20231112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20211112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/201780102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20121112
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com