This midwinter catfishing technique does require considerable effort on the angler's part. To stay on fish, it's necessary to spend considerable time looking for the combination of forage fish and structure during the course of a day's fishing. It's not unusual to catch several catfish from one spot in a matter of minutes and then have the action suddenly stop. The reason is often quite simple. A quick look at the depthfinder will usually indicate the school of shad has left the area, and the catfish have either stopped feeding or left with them.

In either case, it's time to look for another active school of catfish. Pull anchor, turn the graph back on and let your electronic bird dog start hunting. Once the catfish are located again, repeat the anchoring and fish-catching procedure. If you're willing and able, odds are you can continue to catch catfish until you are literally arm weary. The cold weather doesn't take too much zip out of the cats; they're full of energy and usually are pot-bellied from eating so many shad.

You'll have an excellent opportunity to hook into some really huge catfish, both blues and flatheads, in excess of 30 pounds. In addition, in these two lakes, you'll usually catch plenty of fish in the 6- to 15-pound class as well.

Catfish are already a favorite eating fish of mine, but taking them when the water is cold and they're so plump, makes for some truly outstanding catfish fillets.

This year, don't miss the great cold-weather catfishing action.

Find more about South Carolina fishing and hunting at: SCgameandfish.com