2009 Reports
Red River Catfish Reports
December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas from all of us here at Brad Durick Outdoors. We have a huge year ahead of us in 2010. Stay tuned as news comes out. We will see you on the water.
December 8, 2009
Dates and locations for Catfish University are set. There will be sessions in Grand Forks and Fargo. Catfish University is an all inclusive program that will take you from knowing nothing about catfishing to being able to fish the Cats Incredible Tournament. For more information call or email Captain Brad
October 10, 2009
The 2009 catfishing season is over. I would like to thank everyone who I was lucky enough to fish with. We had some amazing fishing this season, in fact it is the best year I can remember. We set many records in terms of catches and new personal bests for clients. I see any reason 2010 can't repeat 2009. We are already getting calls and working on some exciting things so get booked early.
I would like to introduce you to our newest venture, Catfish University. This is a seminar package that will teach you everything you need to know about catching Red River Channel Catfish. For more information please check out the website for dates and locations. www.catfishuniversity.com
September 2, 2009
Fishing is in fall bite right now. Fish are spread out sitting and feeding everywhere on the river. Keep on the move trying snags, holes and troughs until you find where the fish are on a given day. Sucker and frogs are the best baits. Frozen sucker has been working very well lately.
FOR SALE: Captain Brad's Guide Boat
2009 G3 1966 DLX
2009 115 Yamaha 4-stroke
2009 Custom Bear Trailer
G3 custom cover
6- Drift Master rod Holders
8- Drift Master bases
Humminbird 997 SI electronics
2 years remaining warranty
Yours for only: $17,600 with electronics
$16,100 without electronics
This boat goes for $22,000 new before rigging
August 21, 2009
Fishing all up and down the Red River is quite good right now. Rain over the past few days has brought up flows and put some fresh water in the river which is a sure sign that fish should be feeding fast and furious. Suckers are still the bait of choice but there is a changeover to frogs coming into play. The best places to look for these fish is in snags near faster, deeper water.
This past weekend I had the pleasure of guiding for the DNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. This was a very rewarding experience for a great program. I hope Brad Durick Outdoors can be part of this program in the years to come.
August 13, 2009
With the blast of heat and stable weather over the past week the catfishing has taken a turn for the better. Fish are coming in most patterns and on most baits. Obviously the more aggressive fish are still coming in the faster water but holes, snags, and flats are producing well also. Bait choice is anything bloody. today I used frogs, sucker , and goldeye equally. It appears that even the catfish are happy that summer is finally here.
August 10, 2009
Fishing remains a bit spotty around the Grand Forks area. We have been working hard to get our fish but they are coming. Bait preference remains sucker but I would bring everything you can just in case. Fish have been coming in troughs next to snags or right out of the snags.
Drayton is showing some nice fish. Not huge numbers but very nice quality fish non the less.
The real great news this week is Capt. John in Moorhead is really tearing up the fish. Many average sized cats coming in with few hogs mixed in. This is great news for anyone looking to fish in Moorhead this fall.
August 3, 2009
Fishing on the Red River is really on a roller coaster ride the past couple weeks. It seems there is just one weather front after another and water temps just don't want to warm up. The fish are done spawning and just can't get a break in the recovery process. Some days catching big fish is easy and other days we have to work hard to find fish. This past weekends Cats Incredible Tournament is a testament to that as some teams could not buy a fish yet there was an all time total recorded this year. The bottom line is keep on working hard, changing baits and good things will come.
The key to success is keep the bait fresh and keep moving to find the fish. Suckers are working well and frogs are starting to do great things.
We just had a cancellation for Friday August 7th and can offer a Twilight trip for 3 on short notice for only $150. Please call to book the date by Thursday.
July 19, 2009
The Red seems to be back in business. A massive cold front really slowed everything down. (In fact it was the worst catfishing of the season so far.) The fish decided to eat over the weekend as they always do on day 3 after a cold front and the big ones are coming out to play. Snags and fast water edges are the answer. Bigger fish seem to be showing up on the outside of snags or in the faster water. As always stay on the move and great things will come to you. Sucker seems to be key and goldeye should be coming on better soon. I found frogs today and they are so small that I would not use them as a go-to.
This week we have a return visit from our friends Don and Victoria Sweet from Visual Films. We will be filming episodes of 1 Big Fish and Catfishing America.
July 12, 2009
The catfish around Grand Forks are in spawn full swing. Water has finally leveled off from the big drop. The word on the river July 11th was the fishing was horrible. My guests and I tried everything and figured out we were getting big fish in the fastest currents we could find with some sort of water break. Once we committed ourselves to fishing fast water we started catching big fish consistently.
The key to catching cats right now is get in the fast water, stay on the move and keep your bait fresh, Once you find the key areas the fish will bite faster and be bigger.
We still have many great dates available to experience the Finest channel cat experience in America. The fishing is only going to get better from here on out.
July 6, 2009
The North Landing in Grand Forks is open for sure and the others can't be far behind if they are not already open. Reports of nice fish are already coming in this week letting us know that the bite is back on. We are ready to head out and re-learn the river this week. Book your trophy hunt now as dates are almost gone for this awesome 2009 season.
July 4, 2009
The Red just went under flood stage from this past high water event. It should be fishable in the next couple days depending on whether the ramps get cleaned off. By mid-next week fishing will be back in full swing. Before the high water forced us out the spawn was kicking into full swing so that should be ending any time and then we will get into what I would like to predict as AWESOME fishing.
We have many prime fishing dates available for July and August so book your trophy trip now.
June 21, 2009
The Red has remained the place to be for big channel cats. That being said the heavy rain event from the Southern Red River Valley is sending way more water than we had hoped. By mid-week we suspect we will be off the water for about a week to let the river come back down and settle out. The good news of this is that the spawn is nearing and this drink of fresh water will keep the fish healthy. By the first week of July we will be back in full swing and the fishing will be outstanding for the rest of the summer.
Book your Red River adventure today. Lots of dates are still available in August.
June 17, 2009
The Red has been on fire!. I have never seen the fishing around Grand Forks as good as it has been over the past week. Beginning last Wednesday our pattern from the week before took off and fishing became easy for the most part. We were seeing 15-21 pound channels coming in steady with the occasional 23+. Courtney Haberl from Iowa brought in a 2009 boat record of 27 pounds.
Fish have continued to feed on the break lines and near faster currents. They are roaming so you have to stay on the move. Once you find them they may even sift in and out over hours allowing you to stay on one point. Cut sucker is working as good as anything and with the average fish size what it is don't be afraid to throw a big piece out. "Big Bait = Big Fish" Be sure to visit our photo page for some really awesome fish from this past week.
June 6, 2009
The Red is beginning to heat up. Water temps are hovering in the 61-63 degree range. Water levels remain nearly perfect and the fish are reacting very well. The fish are biting on suckers off the breaks from 12-20 feet of water. The key to success is stay on the move and fish hard until you find them. Once you find em you will be rewarded with a real fight. Spawn is just around the corner so get out and enjoy the fish while they are in the best condition of the year.
May 30, 2009
The Red River is looking great right now. Water temps are 60 degrees. Fishing seems to be a bit on the spotty side but the fish look very healthy. The key to success has been staying on the move. Finding a spot of flat shallow water that is near the deeper faster current seems to be the answer. A snag on the fast side is a bonus to catch fish. Keeping fresh cut sucker on and if no fish move in 15 minutes to the next spot makes the difference. Some moves are only about a boat length. Once you find fish you can catch two or even three in fairly quick order then back on the move. We are officially kicking off our fathers day promotion. Call or email for details.
May 22, 2009
Tonight was the night. The first guide trip after this horrible cold, flooding spring. I had an idea where to start based on the scouting I had done in advance and the fish delivered. We caught fish in snags in 2-4 feet of water with a faster current near by. mid-sized suckers were the answer. The big fish are in the snags and looking to feed. It did take a bit of extra time to bring them out sometimes but well worth the wait.
May 18, 2009
We finally made it out today for the first go round of 2009. The water is high at over 26 feet but getting around the river was not a big deal. Strong North winds made for more problems than strong currents. Didn't spend to much time fishing. Only enough time to pick up a couple and take a look see at the river. The bottom line is we are in for the season and it feels good. For those of you planning to make the jump please be careful in the river. The current is really stong. We still have some prime June dates available to help you kick off your summer.
May 14, 2009
Today the Red fell below 28 feet meaning we are set to go. One ramp is open in East Grand Forks and the rest will open over the next few days (if they aren't already.) I'm hearing from shore anglers that fishing is great now that they can get to the banks. That means we are set to go for another great season. Stay tuned for some first hand reports after the weekend and if you want to take advantage of the pre-spawn bite call us today to make your memory. Some fabulous dates are still available.
May 12, 2009
Not much new news since the last report. Recent rains have the predictions rising for a few days but frankly I don't believe it right now. It looks like we will be officially guiding starting May 21st. I still have a few evenings available beginning May 28th and I also have 2 weekend dates available over the Memorial weekend. Book your trophy outting today and keep on reelin on the Red.
May 7, 2009
The Red River is falling and falling fast. Predictions say that we should be fishing the Halstad area the middle of next week and we will be getting going the week of the 18th in Grand Forks. My prediction is we will be on fish right out of the get go catching the pre-spawn. I have a few evenings available beginning May 28th and I also have 2 weekend dates available over the Memorial weekend. Book your trophy outting today and keep on reelin on the Red..
April 24, 2009
The Red River is still flooding but falling. I am predicting that we will be in full swing guiding around May 20th. Many great dates are still available the last week of May and in June. Book your trophy outting today.
The big news this week is that Captain Brad's brand new boat has arrived. This year guests will be riding in a 2009 G3 1966 DLX. This boat is customized for catfishing on the Red.
March 29, 2009
The big talk on the Red this week is flooding from the headwaters all they way to Lake Winnipeg. So far Grand Forks/East Grand Forks is holding up well. Fargo/Moorhead is working hard to avoid disaster and our hearts go out to them until the Mighty Red River or the North returns to her banks.
With all the flooding talk one might think we won' be fishing for a while. I am predicting a May 1 start to fishing. We begin taking guide trips May 15th and some prime pre-spawn dates are still available. Book your Red River Adventure today.
February 23, 2009
Brad Durick Outdoors LLC is proud to announce that the Guest House Inn located in Downtown Grand Forks is our official hotel sponsor. The Guest House (known by most locals as The Townhouse) has a long standing tradition of excellence in Grand Forks. It is located right on the edge of downtown close to shopping, eating, drinking and of course the mighty Red River. After a long day of fishing if you don't feel like leaving the hotel, the Muddy Rivers Saloon and lounge located right inside.
We recommend you stay at The Guesthouse while you are fishing Grand Forks.
January 20, 2009
Today Captain Brad ordered his brand new 2009 G3 boat. This boat will provide customers with a safe and comfortable ride while hunting for the famous Red River Channel Cat. This boat will bring catfishing on the Red River to a whole new level.
