Thread: Fishing Blue Cats in Dam Tailrace, Advice Needed

Thinking about going after some Blue Cats below one of the dams and need some advice.
If the dam is pushing water about how heavy of weight will I need to hold cut or whole Skipjack herring on the bottom?

3 to 5 ounce triangle sinker or bank sinker

Bring spares.

Thanks guys, was planning on bringing 3, 5 and 6oz bank weights, so I was in the ballpark there.
Also figured on the bottom being riprap, so figured to use a lighter line on the weight, 15-20lb, to make breaking it off easier.
Headed to the Walter F. George dam for Friday and Saturday fishing.
Never caught a Striper and hoping to check that species off the list.
Wish me luck.
And good luck to all y'all heading out for rifle season.

I fish a tailrace for blues just about every week. There are two other techniques i would suggest.
First is float rig. This is a p400 size float (supports up to 4 oz) with a slip float rig. Cast into a eddy and let the bait float around in circles in the eddy. Adjust depth of the float rig until fish are found. Attempt to keep the float near the rip if possible.

Second is a KY rig with just enough weight to bounce the bottom. The fish will find bottom structure to break the current. The rig bouncing down the river will fall into the current breaks made by the structure aka put the bait in front of the fish.

As suggested above take plenty of tackle, the rocks/trees get hungry. In addition try different shape sinkers to find what will release from the snags. I personally use four different shape sinkers depending on water flow and rig. (egg, no roll, crescent, bell)

Take a look at what other people are using for rigs/tackle. Don't be afraid to go large on tackle, cats have big mouths. I personally use a range of hook sizes 2,0/3, 0/5, 0/7 and 0/9 with up to 100lb mono for leader material. The 100lb takes plenty of abuse so swapping out leader is reduced. Blue cats are not line shy to size or color.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Tight Lines,
DoesItGoBang

I'm spooling three reels with 50lb braid.
50lb leader to a 100# 3way swivel, 50lb drop with whatever hook and a 15-20lb breakaway for the weight.
I'm upping my lead size/count and bringing 4 each 3, 4 and 6oz pyramid sinkers and 6x 5oz bank sinkers.
50 yards of 50lb leader, and a spool each of 15lb and 20lb.
I've plenty of both circles and octopus hooks in 7/0, 8/0 and 10/0.

And an assortment of lures for Stripers on 30lb test, a few 4oz inline trolling weights for if they're pushing a lot of water.

And some Crappie gear to work along the wall, in 10lb. They say the Sacalait fishing can be really good right up next to the dam if they're not generating.

Central Ohio has a world class blue cat lake..... join on FB , I tried to find you there but had no luck to invite

Now that is a fat cat!

I'm no longer on FB Bill, FB can kiss my @$$.