Noodleing? - California Fishing

FishSlayer · 08-19-2004, 12:59 AM

I watched a couple of "nut jobs" on PBS who were "Noodlers", they wade into muddy swamp water and catch giant catfish with their bare hands. And yes, they sometimes loose fingers... Do you think Anahiem Lake would let me do this???(lol)

jstcrzyengh · 08-19-2004, 10:21 AM

Heck appraoch anaheim lake about it and they will probably build a "noodlers area". If they think they can make more money they'll do it. Can you see all of the "yokels" out there noodling that would be the funniest thing I think I have ever seen. Also these stupid guys lose most of their fingers to beavers that are hanging out up there. But those giant catfish have such strong jaws that they can break your hand and strip the skin from it with their small teeth. OUCH!

Kens · 08-19-2004, 12:05 PM

I saw that too! Kind of a wacky way to go about it. If/when you decide to give it a try, take and post a clip of it. I'm always game for a laugh.

Wahoo! · 08-21-2004, 11:17 PM

I'd love to see that! Next thing you know, we'll start seeing guys splashing around in the water with 20# cats at Irvine!

DementedFish · 08-21-2004, 11:21 PM

They have special gloves made for noodleing.

PilotBryson · 08-21-2004, 11:50 PM

That program was awesome on TV. I want to give it a try but am afraid to stick my hands down there...

Wahoo! · 08-22-2004, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotBryson

That program was awesome on TV. I want to give it a try but am afraid to stick my hands down there...

It's always a good plan to keep your hands out of strange holes...

cst · 08-22-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedFish

They have special gloves made for noodleing.

those gloves limit the feel and movement of your fingers, true noodlers use there bear hands.

PlatinumHooks · 08-22-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishSlayer

I watched a couple of "nut jobs" on PBS who were "Noodlers", they wade into muddy swamp water and catch giant catfish with their bare hands. And yes, they sometimes loose fingers... Do you think Anahiem Lake would let me do this???(lol)

Did they actually say that they loose fingers Noodling for Cats??

FishSlayer · 08-23-2004, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

Did they actually say that they loose fingers Noodling for Cats??

Yup...they reach into the mouth of the catfish and slip a piece of twine or rope through the mouth and gill, then they lift. These are often 30+ pound fish...

trout guy · 08-23-2004, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

Did they actually say that they loose fingers Noodling for Cats??

usually noodlers loose theyre fingers to snapping turtles.

FishSlayer · 08-23-2004, 12:20 AM

Also true, but I once made the mistake of grabbing a 1lb channel catfish by the bottom lip like a bass and it locked down on my thumb and a buddy of mine had to pry open its mouth with a pair of dykes. If it had been a five pound fish I think it could have taken my thumb with it.

DementedFish · 08-23-2004, 10:28 AM

I'll stick to using a reel and a rod.

bluehunter · 08-23-2004, 11:29 AM

Noodling is popular with the southerners. I would not try it, but they regularly pull out big flatheads doing that in those shallow holes.

FishSlayer · 08-24-2004, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedFish

I'll stick to using a reel and a rod.

I also prefer fighting fish with a rod & reel, I just think it would be funny to see a bunch of guys wading around in muddy water wrestling with some big cats...