FS Digest

Catfishing at oolagah lake in Oklahoma. Would anyone know where they are hiding and
at what depth?

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by Dale

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Dale: Part of the fun fishing is finding them. The biggest ones are in a den, hole, or deep drift. Just Saying...RJS

Roofer Loc: Oklahoma

Thanks RJS. Now what is a deep drift for catfish. From Dale

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Roofer: I have never heard the term in regard to fishing for catfish. I would suppose it would be a slow deep dragging of a bait, such as a half carp, or other bait fish, along on the bottom where you are fairly sure big cats are likely to reside. They don't migrate a lot, except due to dire circumstances, like draught and such.. Just Sayin...RJS

Roofer Loc: Oklahoma

Thanks RJS that helps alot. That's the reason I accidentally caught a 19 lb cat in 18 ft. water
when realing in my bait

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Roofer: Remember where that was, there are others there, or the general area. When the king dies, another takes his place. Deep holes, caves, brush piles, and such are where they find dens. Just Sayin...RJS

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

there's an island out in front of the dam. I always catch plenty good bluecat just off the north side of that island. Water's 30 to 40 ft deep at normal level. Fish close to bottom if you're drifting. I set my jug lines out there then drift fish as I watch the jugs. Watch for the wind it can get bad quick in Oologa. Lots of big cats. Good luck.

bossman Loc: Crestview Florida

Bottom, you are right about the wind and storms on Oolaga lake. Years ago a friend and I were fish and a storm popped up wind started blowing we headed for the dock by the dam by the time we made it and tied up boat it sunk full of water from waves and rain. Close call.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

Oolaga lake has some awsome bass, crappie & catfish. When i put my juglines in at daybreak I know I must have them rolled up & be off the lake by 10. As the sun warms things up the wind picks up terrible & the main lake body becomes one dangerous place. You & your friend were lucky but that lake has sunk a lot of boats. Another Oklahoma lake that has the potential to sink a boat in a heartbeat is 202,000 acre Lake Eufaula. At an NRA banquet I was introduced to a retiring lake patrolman from Eufaula. I commented that sometimes Eufaula was too rough to fish inside a boathouse. He told me that 5 times in his career he had to run his patrol boat up on shore to avoid being sunk & drowning. If a pilgram wants a shot at a 100 pound catfish Eufaula is the the place to go. If you're crazy enough to stick your arm down a hole looking for giant catfish that again is Eufaula. The lake has been featured on a lot of the noodling shows. Back to lake Oologa. 2 years ago my fishing buddy & i had our set of 20 juglines set out just north of the island i spoke of. We stayed close & were drift fishing with rod & reel. We noticed 1 jug slowly moving off & knew we had a fish. Our bait was handsize bluegill so it was probably a good fish. We pulled alongside the jug & i pulled it in then started pulling in the line which was about 40 ft. i could feel the fish & knew it was extra large but i couldn't pull up line against the pull of the fish. My buddy, Bill, got into position & we both pulled. We managed to pull ourselves directly over the fish but couldn't get him closer to the surface. This tug of war went on for about 30 to 45 minutes before we cut the line. The fish was too large to keep & we really wanted a look at him but it just wasn't happening. We've returned several blue's & flatheads from 40 to 60 pounds & a couple over that. The water is clear & fairly clean so the smaller cats have a really good flavor. Tight lines & good luck.

bossman Loc: Crestview Florida

Bottom, There are some big ole cats in those Oklahoma lakes. I was fishing for sand bass one night on keystone lake under the 51 bridge at manford. I had caught some shad and baited a catfish pole and let its sit. Later on I noticed my line coming around back of boat and up the channel pulled my other poles in and got ahold of my catfish pole when line got around front of the boat I set the hook and felt like I set the hook on the front of my 4 wheel drive. That thing just kept pulling drag and finally I cut the line on my boat and sat up front and just held pressure on it, drug me all the way out in middle of the lake it was 2:30 in the morning and I was by myself never was able to get it to come up and I knew if I ever saw it I would sure try getting it in the boat. Finally cut the line but would still like to have got a look at whatever it was.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

I've been in the exact situation 3 or 4 times myself. A big cat will stay down. I really wanted a look at that fish in Oolaga as both Bill & i have heard some stories of monster fish there. I know personally the man who holds the lake record Bluecat in Fort Gibson lake @ 89 pounds. Anytime I can get him to sit down at the marina & have a beer i'm buying as old Bernie can teach if a man will listen. He claims to have had both blue's & flatheads larger than the 89 pounder but couldn't handle them. His flathead bait is bluegills but his favorite bluecat bait is crappie ribs. several of the old regulars at the marina clean their crappie there & leave the rib cages for Bernie. Keystone lake has some large fish of every variety. It's unique as it impound both the Cimmaron & Arkansas rivers. The world record spoonbill was caught there a couple month's ago.

Lakeshore52 Loc: Bartlesville, Ok

We've caught many Blues at the north end of the lake, off the river channel on the flats. A friend's pontoon is what we've been on, and he runs it onto the flats until the boat hits the bottom. We anchor and fish in all directions using cut shad.

Lakeshore52 Loc: Bartlesville, Ok

Also, at the north end of Oologah Lake it's much better if the wind is blowing out of the south. A difference between night & day. No wind? The bite is very, very slow.