Warm weather's catfishing weather on the river

When the waters warm, bathtub warm, too warm to offer much relief from the 90 degree heat, it's time to slip into the river or lake for some catfishing.

That's the way it is this month for catfishermen like Don Marshall, Lee's Summit. Marshall said, "I have three special places I like to fish for cats, the north Grand River south of Chillicothe, Jacomo and Truman. I catch catfish in other places including Stockton, Lake of the Ozarks, and the Osage River, but those three are the waters I fish most of the time." Marshall started fishing for catfish in the north Grand river about 40 years ago when he lived in Chillicothe and after he moved to Independence, he found the fishing good at nearby lake Jacomo and then, after a successful trip to Truman, he has stayed with those three spots, Missouri is blessed with thousands of miles of streams and lakes and nearly all have a good population of catfish, especially channel cats. Whether bank fishing, wading or fishing from a boat, Missouri's rivers, lakes and streams, offer some good fishing for catfish.

Marshall recalled his first catfish, a small bullhead from a small creek within walking distance from his home. " I remember catching several bullheads and when my mother fried them up, I found out they were excellent tasting as well as a lot of fun to catch. I guess that's when I became a catfisherman and it has continued today.

Over the years,, Marshall and several fishing pals have taken the fork tailed cats from the Grand during the hot summer months including many over 10 pounds. They also have caught some big flathead catfish. Such fish have massive heads about the size of cantaloupe Marshall said, " What's nice about these fish is they don't nibble, they take the bait and run." Using the right bait is probably the most confusing part of catfishing, and there are nearly as many concoctions as there are catfishermen. Bait selection ranges from nightcrawlers, chicken blood, chicken liver, crawdads, grasshoppers, live and dead minnows, small perch, cut bait and a multitude of prepared "stink baits". The prepared baits most often have one thing in common -- cheese. All of these bait preparations and many others are excellent for catfish and all will catch fish.

Tackle used to fish for catfish is almost as varied as the baits. Lake anglers use relative short rods, but stream anglers seem to have the best results when using longer rods from 6 to 8 feet in length.

It isn't uncommon for a catfish to swim off with an unattended rod. Its not a problem for Marshall. he modified a lawn chair and placed a rod holder on each arm. He sits comfortably on the bank ready and waiting, wearing a NASCAR hat, emblazoned with Dale Barnhart's number three.

On the Grand, Marshall has caught catfish up to forty pounds, at Jacomo, he hooked a 26 pounder while at Truman he has taken catfish up to 54 pounds Within a few miles of every Missouri resident, there is fishing water of one kind or another and there is an excellent chance there are some good fishing fro catfish to be had.