Anglers are picking channel cats up on holes with access to both slow and fast water, but may require a number of different baits throughout the day. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.

By Brad Durick

The big news this week for catfish anglers on the Red River is that both boat ramps in Drayton are open. That means that all ramps on the Red River are now open and usable.

Fishing this week has shifted to a full-on summer pattern. The fish are spread out and doing their summer catfish thing. They are sticking to holes that are near both faster and slower water. Depending on the day and weather is what side of the hole you will find them.

Sit times have been a day to day thing. One day the bites will come very fast and the next it takes 20 to 30 minutes in order to get them to go.  Another thing to consider is most spots are only producing a fish or two so don’t spend too much time on a spot, especially if you have caught two fish.

Baits are changing up to a couple times of day. The past few days it has been frogs in the morning and cut sucker after lunch. Don’t forget the goldeyes either because it seems some days that is what they want too. 

The Catfish Capital Challenge in Drayton is August 12 and 13 with a $10,000 guarantee for first place. There are still a few spots left.

Brad Durick is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in trophy catfish on the Red River in and around Grand Forks, N.D.