We just started noodling last year by cutting holes in one end of metal bathtubs and placing on sand bars 4-5' in depth. My cousin and myself have had great luck at having fish move into these tub motels but they tend to be torpedo launching tubes for large cats as 4 out of 5 times you stick your hand in they come out with force and leave bruises and can knock air out of you . We check our 6 tubs about once a week and on average have 2/6 with fish inside . Always a fun time even if we only get beat up . How does everyone else noodle ? Posting pics of couple from this yr below
flyguy
Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
Welcome to the Forum, Swampdonkey. Sorry, noodling is not on my bucket list.
Sinner
Loc: witness protection program
You do know snapping turtles live there too?
Noodling is too risky for me.
Digits do not grow back.
But I would like to watch!
And have on u-tube.
Nice cats.
hope you are releasing them after pics are taken.
[quote=catfish catcher]hope you are releasing them after pics are taken.[/quote
Everything we have caught have been males that are cleaning out for females . But we do release everything over 30 lb due to they are to fatty to eat .
Sinner wrote:
You do know snapping turtles live there too?
Noodling is too risky for me.
Why we use tubes with 16" cutouts , limits size to 16" shell size and in 2 yrs doing this on clear water sandbars have had no contact with any turtles
Not a noodle'r myself but going to watch this post for awhile. Got to see a few digit missing stories. Eastern knows what he is talking about. Anyway nice goin guys. Any Lady noodlers out there?
plumbob
Nice size cats you guys.Do you ever go out in the river and drag them out of them holes up and down river.
Fat cats! Grouper rod needed!
You Boys got some nice catches.
You where very patient with ALL the “advice”, offered. Yet not a single piece of usable information regarding your post.
As far as the Torpedoing Cats, I can offer two tricks. Put a good size obstruction(cinder blocks work good) far enough in the opening to let the Cat in. But centered on the opening so the Cat does not have a straight shot out the hole. This slows them down.
Take extra blocks when checking tubs. Place blocks around opening allowing enough working room. This creates a good bottle neck that you can use to your advantage.
The threat of snappers is always an issue. I have looked into gloves. Maybe in your area there is a regulation concerning safety gloves. If not I found a great pair of stainless steel mesh gloves on sale for 50 bucks.
Lastly, by incorporating obstacles in your den you have created a false sense of security for the Cat. This will give you a chance to poke a stick in and feel for Cat or Snapper. More times than not the Cat will stay put. Feeling secure behind the illusion you created for him.
Have fun. keep sending those wild shots and a story or two about the crazy ones that got away.
Welcome C63
Looks like they are doing fine without advise from us who complemented and ask questions that have seen it done but are not willing or able to do it.
Great post sounds like.
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