My son caught a huge channel catfish camping this weekend

[Saltwater60]

We were at the thousand island this week and last week camping. First week was ungodly hot, then some rain mixed in so I was a bit cranky. This week the last 5 days or so we’re perfect. I guided my son in catching this fish and netted it but he did everything else on his own. He’s 13 and we had a great time. He loves the outdoors. We caught toads, frogs, he caught his first turtle a little map turtle, we saw a 3.5’ black rat snake, a ribbon snake. Here’s the picture of his fish. If only you could see the smile on his face it’s priceless. Also threw in a few cool pictures my wife took with her new camera. She is loving that camera. I’m so glad we bought it for her.

 

[fnfalguy]

That’s fantastic, but how were you able to see with those black masks on?

 

[stokes]

That’s fantastic, but how were you able to see with those black masks on?

Had to do a doubletake take,thought they had some hi tech covid masks on.

 

[Blimey]

I didn't know channel catfish went camping

 

[camper4lyfe]

Where in the islands did you catch that??

 

[JohnD13]

Nice fish!

 

[Chevusa]

I don’t do snakes. I would have done a mag dump as I ran for my life.

 

[Saltwater60]

I don’t do snakes. I would have done a mag dump as I ran for my life.

That large black rat snake was so calm. No need for the mag dump!!

 

[Saltwater60]

Where in the islands did you catch that??

Wellsey Island State park. Lots of places to fish there.

 

[Day444]

We were at the thousand island this week and last week camping. First week was ungodly hot, then some rain mixed in so I was a bit cranky. This week the last 5 days or so we’re perfect. I guided my son in catching this fish and netted it but he did everything else on his own. He’s 13 and we had a great time. He loves the outdoors. We caught toads, frogs, he caught his first turtle a little map turtle, we saw a 3.5’ black rat snake, a ribbon snake. Here’s the picture of his fish. If only you could see the smile on his face it’s priceless. Also threw in a few cool pictures my wife took with her new camera. She is loving that camera. I’m so glad we bought it for her.

Great photos!

 

[camper4lyfe]

Wellsey Island State park. Lots of places to fish there.

I’ve never heard of a channel cat being caught up here.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

That fish is massive! Awesome stuff, it must have been so great to share that experience.

 

[Jezman]

I don’t do snakes. I would have done a mag dump as I ran for my life.

This guy is around all the time.

 

[misunderestimated]

If your outside near woods and you don't see any snakes ,YOUR NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

 

[Chevusa]

This guy is around all the time.

I can even look. Eyes closed. Mag dump. If that doesn’t work - dynamite.

 

[Target]

What's with the guy in the tie dyed shirt's plate carrier?
A bit bulky, dontchaknow.

 

[Saltwater60]

I’ve never heard of a channel cat being caught up here.

I wasn’t sure what it was when I caught one two years ago and researched it and that’s what I determined it to be based off NYS DEC photos and I for.

Here’s the article and specifically says St Lawrence River and that’s where we were. Also they were large I’d guess 12+ pound range and black with a forked tail. So that pretty much says it for me.

Catfishes

Here’s a side view of the one I helped his little buddy catch. You can clearly see the forked tail and that pretty much seals it for a channel catfish. Pretty much says most people don’t fish for them. It was fun though. Two years ago I caught one the same size by hand. I just picked it up after it failed to bite me like noodling. I was lucky and grabbed it under the boney fins and was able to pick it up.

 

[Saltwater60]

This guy is around all the time.

I hear their range is limited and they are home bodies. Very nice calm snake. No striking or aggressive behavior even after I moved it with a stick. Just kind of slowly snaked around.

 

[Jezman]

I hear their range is limited and they are home bodies. Very nice calm snake. No striking or aggressive behavior even after I moved it with a stick. Just kind of slowly snaked around.

Yes I send them on their way. This one rattles his tail when you get close to him. Quite comical.

 

[stokes]

This guy is around all the time.

What kind of snake is that?

 

[BDinPutnam]

I didn't know channel catfish went camping

I shot an elephant in my pajamas once. What he was doing in my pajamas, I'll never know.

What kind of snake is that?

One eyed trouser.

 

[Blimey]

I shot an elephant in my pajamas once. What he was doing in my pajamas, I'll never know.



One eyed trouser.

When I made my post I thought of you. I knew you'd enjoy it

 

[Saltwater60]

What kind of snake is that?

Black rat snake. They can get 7-8 feet. I saw one 6ft two years ago. By far the largest snake I’ve seen in the wild. I’ll see 2.5 ft water snakes here and there but a 6 footer was astonishing.

 

[Criticalt]

Nice catch!!

When we used to go camping on the Allegany reservoir we would use 50 pound test line with a huge circle hook and chicken thighs or legs hooked on.
Then we would go to bed and wake up to a line dump and an hour long fight.
Gigantic 20 plus pound channel cats. Very fun to catch, they have alot of energy for a lazy seeming fish.

 

[Jezman]

What kind of snake is that?

Black snake Rat Snake is what I call them.

 

[stokes]

Never saw a black rat snake with that color,only solid black

 

[Acer-m14]

nice Catfish catch .. he should try noodling .. hannah barron is great at it

 

[Acer-m14]

Nice catch!!

When we used to go camping on the Allegany reservoir we would use 50 pound test line with a huge circle hook and chicken thighs or legs hooked on.
Then we would go to bed and wake up to a line dump and an hour long fight.
Gigantic 20 plus pound channel cats. Very fun to catch, they have alot of energy for a lazy seeming fish.

when was a tot we went to Memphis Tenn camping .. they would buy chicken livers and leave out in the sun to rot and make them stink ..
slap them stinking things on big treble hook and hook some big cats ..

 

[Saltwater60]

Nice catch!!

When we used to go camping on the Allegany reservoir we would use 50 pound test line with a huge circle hook and chicken thighs or legs hooked on.
Then we would go to bed and wake up to a line dump and an hour long fight.
Gigantic 20 plus pound channel cats. Very fun to catch, they have alot of energy for a lazy seeming fish.

Awesome. The kid and his buddy want to try doing it around here. I think I’ll try the Catt creek at the mouth of Lake Erie after dinner to sun set. They are young and can’t keep them out too late.

 

[Saltwater60]

when was a tot we went to Memphis Tenn camping .. they would buy chicken livers and leave out in the sun to rot and make them stink ..
slap them stinking things on big treble hook and hook some big cats ..

They have some big cats out that way. His I would say was 12-15lbs.