Q: What should I look for in a good spot? Any know spots in western,ny
A: Catfish hang out in cool still water, well Flatheads do. Channel cats mainly hang out where food passes but in a little swifter water. They are lazy and won't chase bait like trout, none of them will. Look for foliage in the water or submerged logs or empty 55 gallon drums etc. Mix up some liver and dough balls and put some strawberry flavoring in. Watch out handling these jokers as a 15 pound Flatehead can rip flesh right off your knuckles even wearing gloves. Let your line sink down as they are bottom feeders but I have seen them bite on top on occasions. They love murky water as it's easier to catch bait. Their whiskers detect electromagnetic fields fish generate and lying in wait in dirty water raises their chances of a good supper. I never had a chance to fish in NY. but I fish in TN. all the time.