That's the best advice in this whole Dam thread.

For the skipjack, get a Sabiki rig or three and whatever sinker you need for it, and catch some bait. Cut them into chunks or use just the gutsack.

For the cats, you probably can get away with a sturdy surf rod and 30-pound-test line if you're just floating along. I'd probably go with 5/0 or 7/0 Daiichi circle hooks and a 3-way rig -- get a 3-way swivel, tie on a drop line with the sinker, a second line for the hook and tie the swivel to the main line.

Then go catch a dam fish.

And wear a dam PFD near that dam, dammit.

We always had a lot of success using rotten taters.

I wish I'd have seen this earlier. I've lived within 3-4 miles of the dam all my life. I could've put you on some fish.

I would love to take you up on that offer. I've got the boat, ill buy the bait, or catch it or whatever, ill even buy you a coca cola. Just sure would like to see my boy ahold of one of them big catfish. I bet hed give you a big neckhug.

Next time I'll let you know and you come show me how its done!

You get tired of buying lead, go to a mechanic shop & get a sack full of old spark plugs for weight.

"OLD" taters...not rotten!

The best bait to catch a big cat on is the head of whatever fish you're using for bait. I dont know why but for big cats, I catch 4 to 1 on heads as opposed to the rest of the body of the baitfish.