R.R. Shumway.

JULY
Flathead Catfish
Kansas River,KS
“While my clients don’t always like it,” said catfishing guide R.R. Shumway, “I want the water temperature to be as hot as possible, from 85 degrees on up.”

Last year, guide Evan Barker’s average fish typically measured in the 18- to 19-inch range, and finding a limit of those in the largest of Sakakawea’s bays wasn’t hard.

On the Kansas River, he said, catfish can be found from Kansas City to Topeka. They’re blues and channels, but most flatheads are on at least two different types of places along the river.

“Look for the backsides of sandbars where there are deep dropoffs,” Shumway advised. “You’re not looking for a feathering drop. Instead, look for deep holes. The best spots you want might be where you can step out of the boat on one side and be in 2 feet of water, but be casting into 20 feet of water.”

At these spots, Shumway uses a variety of baits, including fresh cut shad, live gold fish, and river toads. “Live baits work so much better than frozen,” he said. “I always have some frozen with me, but I want the most natural I can find. And in the heat of the summer, the water allows the scent from these baits to drift better in the water.”

Plus, as Shumway put it, a catfishing angler needs to be as variable as other anglers who have a large amount of lures for their desired fish. Catfish can be just as picky, and the guide prepares for these situations by having many bait choices.

When not on the sandbars, he looks for long L-dikes and fishes adjacent to those, especially on the points. “Some of the deepest holes are on the very tips of these L-dikes,” he said. “I want spots where big flats can get themselves buried in some of the deepest holes on the river.”

While on these spots, Shumway fishes the calm water on the inside holes of the L, where catfish attempt to stay out of the current. “When the river is high,” he said, “these are some of the best spots to be.”

AUGUST
Channel Catfish
Coffee County Lake,KS
The dog days mean catfish, right? Of course they do, especially at Coffee County Lake in Kansas.

Clyde Holscher, who has been guiding on Coffee County for 15 years, said the catfishing at this time of year is a little different. “My job as a guide is to make sure I can put clients on at least 100 bites during a four-hour period,” he said.

Asked if he can do that with dog day channel catfish, he said, “Yes, I can.”

He starts by working the edges of channels, looking for a major hump or break. Then he chums -- but not with your traditional five-gallon bucketfuls. He uses a coffee can, putting three cups of soured soybeans in the water around the boat. Using a spinning rod, 6-pound-test line, a 1/16- to 1/4-ounce sinker (depending on the wind), a size 8 treble hook, and the punch bait J-piggs, he tells his clients that when the catfish hits, it’s going to be subtle.

“Touch the tip of your own nose as light as you can,” he said, “and that’s what the bite will feel like.”

Anglers have a good chance of finding channels, and even blues, across Coffee County in the 1- to 4-pound range, with most of the fish weighing between 1 and 2 pounds.

“We look for our catfish on our electronics, showing up on the bottom, and then we target those areas,” said Holscher. Vertical jig your bait out, allow it to hit bottom, and then pull up one revolution, said Holscher, and that’s where you’ll find your fish. But remember, it’s a subtle bite, and will probably come in between wiping the sweat from your brow.

SEPTEMBER
Smallmouths
Missouri River,NE
In September, try fishing the Yankton area below Gavins Point Dam all the way to Ponca State Park in northeastern Nebraska. What should you look for? Frequent tournament angler Brian Caughron has the answer.

“Rocks, rocks, and more rocks,” he said. “And if that doesn’t pan out, try the wealth of sandbars on the downcurrent side, or the backwater areas near the public state park areas along this stretch.”

Crawfish imitators, including small jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits work best. If you get a chance, start looking for smallies even earlier than September, getting on the river toward the end of May and the first of June. Fish near the Niobrara State Park area or the Verdel Landing area in northern Nebraska. Easily accessible from both South Dakota and Nebraska, this stretch of river proves worthy during most times of the year.