Hey guys -

I have some property in N Miss. on a 150acre lake with an adjacent pond. I take my 4yr old nephew out there fishing a good bit and we ware out the perch and bass.

Fishing the small pond, I have seen big cats come up and feed, but I can't get them to bite on anything. I can catch small ones all day long. The pond is about 12ft deep in the center and I have tried worms, hot dogs, cut perch and crawfish (all on the bottom) and still no luck. I have caught cats my whole life and have never struggled like this. I feel like an moron to be honest lol.

Should I be carolina rigging? Better bait? Time of day? Deep under a cork? I want to see the look on my neph's face when he reels in a big 'ol cat!!

how big are these "big cats"

Try carolina riggin with a large weight (1-2 oz) then a swivel then about a foot and a half of line with a large sharp hook (we use mustad big game hooks 4/0). Use large cuts of "fresh" cutbait, or if the cats are 15lb plus, use whole live perch and hook them through their back right behind their eyes.

We use this technique and catch 30 to 40 lbers regularly.

Big is 10 - 15lbs. I know its not the monsters you guys catch, but to a kid it's a whale!

for 10 to 15 lbers use a whole live perch...a tad bit smaller than the size of your hand. when the line starts dragging be sure to set the hook like your life depended on it. Those suckers got tough mouths and will spit that shit out of you dont get a good hookset.