Last week of March through April, early in the morning using crappie jigs fishing from the bank at pick wick dam. When they are what's called on the run you can catch a ton of skipjack. They seem to really bite when 2 or 3 turbines are opened. I've been fishing for them for years and they are one of the very best catfish baits. One of the best jigs is called a shiny hiny. Hope this helps someone. Tight lines and good luck.
Awesome catch! They sure love skipjack! 2:52 happens every time i look away! We have river current that fast, I'll try to catch a few some time! thanks for the tips!
I have a boat but sometimes I just like bank fishing. I wish most people were like you. Somebody had the nerve to tell me "I'm in a boat and you're not so I can fish here." So I said "I'll put a circle hook and a 2 oz bank sinker with a bloody ass gizzard shad right in that new boat of yours" so, he left.
Great day of fishing! I love it when the rod bends down to the water when you get a big fish like that. Man you jus let go a whole bunch of fillets, nuggets, and catfish stew ;D
Wish I had seen your video earlier, I normally have a freezer full of skip jack by now, haven't caught any. High water, gar and cold weather. Talk with my local bait shop, she was almost out and said her supplier went out of state to get them. Cat fishing has been slower than usual also, hope it doesn't stay like this all year. Thanks for all the Videos, Good Luck.
Good to see you getting a chance to fish Steve. I can't help but get tickled at Lisa, snapping her fingers to try to get your attention. Tight Lines Brother!!
I hear a lot of people are saying there is a decline in the number of skipjack. They say the days of going to the steam plant and catching a cooler full are over. Have you noticed a decline over the years or do you think it varies lake to lake?
I don’t think it is. I’m still catching my cooler full. Granted the commercial fishermen are taking them out by the thousands but they hatch by he thousands also and they grow fast.
Cumberland city steam plant is in my area and it's ppl driving from the west coast here to Tn to catch skipjacks. But they move in and out. Just have to catch them in there. If the shad is there the skips will be too chasing them. Usually better in the winter when the discharge is warm and the shad will migrate there. It is definitely a decline in skips there.
I went to the damn last week in Chattanooga and had the hardest time catching any bait should’ve brought my cast net!!! I like your idea probably should put a bell on the tip of the rod like you would at night time or if you’re fishing with kids 👍🏻
I have never seen that way to catch skipjacks before. That was awesome. I mean just put it in rod holder and bam they hitting like catfish but a 100x quicker. Everytime you turn your head they would slam it. Flathead was nice one. I've caught a few little ones in past couple days but As always good teachings Mr.Douglas. this is off subject but it would be awesome to see you fish with River Monsters Jeremy Wade from animal planet. Either way. That would be epic.
What do you feel that catching a fish and bringing it up into your boat for a short time and then releasing it does to and for the fish?. Do you thin;k they get a helpful educatioin in some way?
Steve Douglas what's good alternative bait for fishing for catfish when you don't have skipjack. I went out earlier today and Fished for a few hours down on the wabash river with some big shad I got but didn't really no big hits at all an was like well hell these cats should be slamming these shad, I usually fish with chicken liver an big shad or whatever I can get an use for cut bait, but they weren't hitting on the shad tonight is that typical? If shad ain't working for you Steve Douglas what's your best alternative baits aside from skipjack hearing. I don't know why they weren't hitting on the shad tonight.
When it comes to rod guides, what do you think is the best material? I bought a rod from Bass pro that used to be a good series rod but they changed the guides to stainless in their new generation of the rod. I got 8 lb mono cutting grooves in it. Not happy about it. So now im trying to pay more attention to guide material.
Hey Steve this really aint got nuttn to do with skipjack was jus wanting your opinion...I do all my fishing from the bank where theres alot of snags would still go with braid with a mono leader ??
Hi Steve great episode! I live in Elizabethtown. Could you give me any advice where I could launch my boat to fish for Skipjack at McAlpine Dam in Louisville. Also, would regular crappie jigs rigged on light tackle work to catch skipjack bait? Thanks!
Soggy Bottom River Boys just chiming in but mcalpin is a great place to catch skips. Have several friends who have caught a bunch recently. Cannelton is great too. Doing a live video tom from cannelton with another youtuber. And yes those crappie jigs do work. Hope that helps
Hey bro, thanks for letting me know. Do you know of a launch ramp that's close by McAlpin? I'm not familiar with Louisville. I fish Nolin and Green rivers mostly but would like to get out on the Ohio sometime.
STEVE ; DO YOU SELL THE INFLATABLE LIFE VESTS LIKE THE ONE YOU ARE WEARING? I TO AM A LARGER CHESTED INDIVIDUAL THAT NEEXS ONE CAPABLE OF HANDLING MUCH LARGER THAN THE STANDARD 50 INCH CHEST SIZE ; AND AM HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING ONE TO FIT ; ANY HELP YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKYOU VERY MUCH
You can catch them from the bank. That's how I do it. We're not allowed to pull the boat up close enough to the dam / generator so the only option is to do it from the bank. It's usually seasonal though. Late Spring early Summer is usually the best times so you have to stock up when you can around here. I actually went for the first time yesterday morning but only caught a few trash fish. They just weren't in there. Maybe it was too early in the morning.. who knows. If anything else, they're a lot of fun to catch whether you're using them for bait or just to catch. If you tie double jigs on your line, you can sometimes catch two at a time.
