early spring cats

Hey eveyone. I bet everyone has that same darn itch that I have to go out n slay cats. I have never fished this early in the year for them and we are heading down to the Mississippi by la Crosse or trempealeau area. Wondering if some of the pros on here could tell me if channels and or flat heads are active with the water warming up n should a person use cut or live bait cuz i dont think the cats are too lively yet. We do have a small boat and can get around some.

Kitties were hitting on spinners the other day So much for catching a few bass

april 14th

found 4 more this AM

I had today off of work, so Ellen and I took the three year old grandbaby out for the first cat trip of the year. It was also her first cat trip ever. Water temp was 43 and the cats were more than happy to gobble up all the Wicked Sticky we gave them. They were biting a bit light, but fought like it was warmer. Little Cameron caught three fish and said that they was giants and they were pretty. Kids. Gotta love 'em!!

Come on,JLK X 5! Fess up and tell us where you got 'em!!

we found some spring cats

I have no experience with Flatheads but, the Channel Cats are active all winter. Catchem under the ice and the hit like a ton a bricks and put up the strongest fight of any fish. Pulling out of near freezing water they never stop struggling! Even after they lay on ice and freeze solid as a rock at subzero temps, thaw em out in the big sink later and they thrash all over and jump out!!!

Im just wondering what the water temperature has to be before the channel and flathead catfish become active and start biting? Any other advise is greatly appreciated.

I love cut bait at this time of the year. Suckers usually work the best for me. Any dark bottom bay adjacent to deep water will hold fish on sunny days. We also catch quite a few pike on cut bait in early spring as well. Dead bait for pike works as well in early spring as it does in late winter. Use circle hooks so you don't hook the gators deep. Good luck.