Looking for Giant Cats

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Potomac River

I decided to break out the saltwater gear and go for something really big. I have heard of giant catfish in the Tidal Potomac, but have never caught one. Apparently, big blue cats like to eat Bluegill, so I spent the better part of 3 hours trying to catch bait. I must not be a very good Bluegill fisherman because I only managed to catch one Bluegill in 3 hours. It was gut hooked, so it died almost immediately -- so much for fishing with live bait.

To make the best of a bad situation, I decided to cut the Bluegill into 3 pieces and fish with an 8/0 circle hook with 2 oz sinker. Surprisingly, it was much easier to catch fish than bait. I managed to catch 8 catfish, most of them over 24" and one 23" rockfish in about 2 hours. I didn't get the monster cat I was after, but managed to catch one that was pushing 3 feet long. I had a much bigger one on, but it pulled the hook. I'll get him next time.