![]() ![]() Small tributary rivers are typically winding and the current carves out cut banks on the outsides of those turns. The smaller the waterbody, the easier it is to dial into key spots and target your casts. Let’s review the justified reasons and I’ll work my opinionated reasons in as I explain. ![]() There are many reasons I prefer small tributary rivers over mudflats on large drainage lakes or the main river systems, some of which are a simple matter of personal preference, while others are justified. Why Small Tributaries are Great for Catfish I find these fish are more active than during the actual spawn, or shortly thereafter. ![]() Channel catfish usually spawn when the water climbs into the mid-seventies, so I like to target the small rivers when water temperatures are in the upper-60’s to low-70’s which will be when the fish are moving into the smaller tributaries and staging for the spawn. Best Time to Catch CatfishĮvery spring is different, especially in the upper Midwest, but you can count on the bite being the best anytime between mid-May through mid-June to capitalize on big post-spawn channel cats in small tributary rivers emptying into bigger rivers. The kind of day I’m excited about having on the river is a Huckleberry Finn kind of adventure, wading cool waters pitching to the opposite cut bank with a #4 Tru-Turn worm hook tipped with a jumbo leech and a split-shot or two while letting the river current do the work. I’m talking about taking a canoe down a small tributary river no wider than a single lane country road and anchoring with a short rope to a paddle buried in the muck. I’m not talking about relaxing on a padded seat in a boat with carpeted floors and wide beam length while watching your rod tips bounce, either. Nothing gets me more fired up just after turkey season than spending a day on a small river catching big pre-spawn catfish. ![]()
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