Try hooking up with a muskrat! I found out the hard way that they love eating minnows. I thought I finally hooked that big pike I watched eat a baby duck. Instead up came a really pissed off muskrat screaming its head off. I didn't know what to do other than cut the line. I've been waiting for that damn Pike for several years now. lol

Sounds crazy but this really works! The smell is caused by a bacteria. Put the shoes in your freezer overnight. You won't smell anything until you introduce more bacteria. So you need to scrub your feet good to.

Pike prefer calm water. Fish any pools of calm water along the shore. They also like to hide under docks, logs and in weeds. look for breaks in the current and fish where you think a pike could easily lie in wait in the calm area as food is swept in from the current. calm areas where streams feed into other rivers or lakes. Make sure to have a steel leader and a good pole!

There are still a few commercial fisherman fishing for catfish on the Mississippi.

Always wanted to catch a Muskie! I live in Iowa and their are just a few large enough lakes that have them. Some guys fish years before catching one. The length limit here is 40 inches. I would be happy with that.

The last stripper I caught had worms.

Nope don't have those species here.

I like my strippers around the 18 to 35 range. after that they just don't work the pole as well anymore.

pictures

Well I have seen some big catfish at the Mississippi river museum that were as big as a man. I fish the cedar and the Wapsie rivers. They are smaller rivers a little bigger than a stream. The biggest I have caught is 8 1/2 pounds channel cat in the Wapsie my son caught its twin the same day. They were within an ounce in weight. A guy last week caught a 34.4 pound Flathead in the Cedar.

I have caught the biggest catfish by using a 1 or two ounce sinker. this is really heavy. I get a 3 way swivel and I cut 2 pieces of line about a foot or foot and half long. Tie one piece to a swivel head then the other. Then tie the remaining head to your line. I use 4 aught hooks with a long shaft. cut bait stays on well. dead chubs, clams, shrimp, crawdads even worms and mud leeches. tie the heavy sinker to the other piece of line. I have even been known to find the right size rock and tie it on if I can't find 2 oz weights. I cast into dams and always get big cat.

I have several aquariums with fish and have never seen a fish release bubbles from their mouth or their anus. It is very unlikely it is a fish.

I've never been to the Delaware to see the strippers run, but it sounds like a great place to fish!

Bluegill Tacos - My way is a little uncommon. I make fish tacos. I just put my fillets right in hot olive oil and fry em up. Add taco seasoning with a little water and cook it to consistency. You can also deep fry breaded bluegills. I just try to keep it heart healthy. Warm soft shell tortillas, add lettuce, cheese (queso), sour cream and salsa. I really like peach and mango salsa or pineapple salsa. Mix a little sriracha sauce in your sour cream for a little kick. Takes about 5 minutes to make. very simple.

Yes the fight is insane!