By Brad Durick

GAME ON! The past week has been stupid good for catching catfish on the Red River in and around Grand Forks. Big numbers of post spawn fish are out feeding so they can bulk back up. The best areas to fish have been right down the middle in the deeper, faster water.

Just about everything is working for bait. I have had the best luck with 1-to-2-day dead suckers and goldeyes. Frozen offerings are working but not quite as well.

Sit times have been approximately 20 minutes, but the first bite is usually coming in the first three to six minutes. Don’t give up on the sit after a couple fast hits as the bigger fish are still taking a little longer to decide to hit.

As a reminder, the Catfish Capital Challenge Tournament is set for Aug. 15 & 16 in Drayton.  Entry is $300 for a team of up to four people and can be completed online at catfishdrayton.com

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 the Grand Forks Area.

Featured Photo: Double Up! Bigger catfish are on the feed following the spawn and are taking a variety of baits on relatively short sit times. DEO Photo by Brad Durick.