Noodlin'

[go-fish]

This is a catfish from my recent trip to Oklahoma. If any of you don't know what noodling is it's fishing without poles or nets. It's really fun and alot cooler on a hot day because you are in the river and not on the bank baking in the sun.

The point is to reach into the fishes nest or "hole" and let it latch onto your hand and pull it out. It should always be done with at least another person so they can pull you out because the cat doesn't let go. If you latch on to a big one it could hold you down under water. This one was over 40 pounds easy and could have been bad news for a skinny guy like me to tackle alone.

This was the third best day fishing I ever had. It was 5/8's the length of a 2006 Ram tailgate.

[Topcat]

Well that's one type of fishing I haven't tried yet. I've known about it but even if we had that out here, I'm not sure I'd try it. I've heard of broken fingers and sprained wrists when they decide to flip over once you grab them.

Nice fish 

[go-fish]

Oh yeah. They will roll like an alligator when caught even on a rod and reel. Most people who drown when doing this drown because they went solo.

[cudax34me]

congrts.if that thing was any bigger it would be the fish showing you off....so are you gonna eat it or mount it?

[go-fish]

A cat that big tastes real gamey. We sent it home with a buddy and he's going to feed it to his relatives at a get together. I feel sory for them.

[bb71challenger]

I thought about it until I heard of guys losing their fingers to turtles, I like me digits.  Cool fish though.   

[troutstreamnm]

Nice fish.....but I'll stick to trout thank you 

[go-fish]

Nice fish.....but I'll stick to trout thank you 

Do you ever fish Pecos Wilderness?

[426HEMI]

Looks like a nice fish.  Not been that kind of fishing for a very long time.

[whitesatinmopar]

Never actually heard of doing that for catfish, however it is rather common for guys (not me  ) to hunt snapping turtles that way. But for turtles they tell me as long as you keep your hand on the bottom part of the hole the turtle cannot clamp onto your hand, I guess turtles cannot "strike" downward. So you just grab hold of their front feet and drag them out. I've went along on a couple turtle hunts, but there is no way I'm sticking my hand back in a hole.  What about snakes like water moccasins and cotton mouths, both posinious  ?

[go-fish]

Ever here of the Turtleman?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn8EQ0azXpQ

Those snakes can usually be detected by the foul odor they emit. 

[moparmaniac59]

That's a big catfish and catching them with your hand/fist takes some big ka-honnies, but that turtleman...now that is one nutty hoot. Looks like he knows what he is doing. I sure wouldn't want to try it!!


                                              Matt B.

[4Cruizn]

WOW is all I have to say!   

[troutstreamnm]

Do you ever fish Pecos Wilderness?

It's been a long time since I've been up in the Pecos.  I do most of my fishing in Northern NM and Colorado. 

[bb71challenger]

I only have to go about half a mile to fish on the Pecos