“I use cut bait to give the fish a scent trail to follow, and usually catch baitfish that are abundant in the area I’m fishing -- typically mullet, shad or croakers. Shrimp also are good bait. I often chum with the same type bait I’m using. I start with a bait the length of my thumbnail on a No. 4 Kahle hook. If I’m catching too many little cats, I double the bait size. At times, the bigger blues want live bait only.”

Blue cats position themselves to intercept baitfish being carried by the tide. Mullins said an incoming tide is best when fishing the shallow flats. When the tide is leaving the marsh, the catfish hold in holes created by swift current entering the canals. Catfish in Bessie Heights rarely bite when the tide is still.

“The most I’ve caught in one day has been 23 keeper-sized blues, the biggest being 15 pounds. Four or five keeper-sized fish is a normal day. I have caught several blues in the 12- to 15-pound range, and know of one 32-pound blue caught in one of the canals.”

Information: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, (409) 983-1104. Accommodations: Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, (409) 722-9154.

HOT TEXAS RIVERS
Lakes and reservoirs are the only waters where you’ll find Lone Star catfish. Many of Texas’ rivers also harbor healthy populations of channel, blue and flathead catfish.

For channel cats, the Trinity and Colorado rivers stand out, as do the Rio Grande, Frio, Guadalupe, Brazos and upper reaches of the Sabinal.

Blues cats are common and grow large in the Trinity, Nueces, Guadalupe, Sabine, Red, Lavaca, San Antonio, Frio and Navidad.

The Trinity and Navasota are top producers of flatheads, along with the Colorado Navasota, Guadalupe, Sabine, Brazos, San Antonio, Frio and Neches.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

An autographed copy of Keith Sutton’s book, Catfishing: Beyond the Basics, can be ordered by sending a check or money order for $24.95 to C&C; Outdoor Productions Inc., 15601 Mountain Dr., Alexander, AR 72002. For credit card orders, log on to www.catfishsutton.com.

Find more about Texas fishing and hunting at: TexasSportsmanMag.com