Tuttle Creek Blue Catfish Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Full-day guided catfish trip on Tuttle Creek ReservoirExpert guide Greg Hirschey targets trophy blue catfishEight-hour catch-and-release adventure for all skill levels
Get ready to tangle with some of Kansas' biggest blue catfish on Tuttle Creek Reservoir, one of the Midwest's top-rated catfishing destinations. Guide Greg Hirschey has been working these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the trophy blues like to hang out. This full-day catch-and-release trip gives you eight solid hours to chase monster catfish in the heart of the scenic Flint Hills. Whether you're a seasoned catfish angler or just getting started, Greg's got the local knowledge and proven techniques to put you on fish. You'll launch from Stockdale Boat Ramp and spend your day aboard a well-equipped Lund Tyee 20 that's built for comfort and safety on Kansas waters.
This isn't your typical bank fishing trip – Greg takes you to the productive structure and deep holes where big blues love to cruise. Tuttle Creek Reservoir covers over 15,000 acres when full, giving you plenty of water to explore. The reservoir sits in prime catfish habitat with creek channels, submerged timber, and rocky points that hold baitfish and attract hungry blues. You'll fish from a spacious Lund boat that gives everyone room to move around and fight fish properly. Greg provides all the tackle and rigging you need, from heavy-duty rods that can handle 20-pound-plus cats to the right circle hooks for safe catch-and-release fishing. The trip runs eight hours, so you'll have plenty of time to work different areas and adjust techniques based on what the fish are doing. Greg's been guiding these waters long enough to read the conditions and put his anglers on the best bite of the day.
Greg relies on time-tested catfishing methods that work consistently on Tuttle Creek. You'll primarily use bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh cut bait – usually shad, skipjack, or other oily fish that blues can't resist. The boat carries heavy-action rods matched with strong reels that can handle the long runs these fish are famous for. Greg positions the boat over structure like creek channels, drop-offs, and submerged humps where blues patrol for food. He'll show you how to read your rod tip for subtle bites and when to set the hook for a solid hookup. Since this is catch-and-release fishing, Greg uses barbless or flattened-barb hooks to make releasing easier on the fish. The sonar unit helps locate schools of baitfish and the predators following them. When fish are scattered, you might drift fish over flats, but when they're holding tight to structure, you'll anchor up and wait for them to find your bait. Greg adjusts tactics throughout the day based on weather, water temperature, and what the fish are telling him.
Tuttle Creek has been producing some fantastic blue catfish action, with anglers regularly connecting with fish in the 15 to 25-pound range. The reservoir's healthy population of blues means consistent action throughout the season. Greg's guests have been impressed with both the number of fish and their size – it's not unusual to boat several keeper-sized blues during a full day trip. The fight these fish put up in open water is something every angler remembers, especially when they make those powerful runs that test your drag system. Most anglers are surprised by how hard a 20-pound blue can pull when it's got room to run in deep water. The catch-and-release approach means these big fish stay in the system to grow even larger and provide great fishing for future trips.
Blue catfish are the stars of Tuttle Creek, and for good reason. These are Kansas' largest catfish species, with trophy fish reaching 30 pounds or more in these fertile waters. Blues are aggressive feeders that cruise the open water and main lake structure, making them perfect targets for boat fishing. They're most active during warmer months from late spring through early fall, but can be caught year-round when you know where to look. What makes blues so exciting to catch is their incredible fighting ability – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad tails to pull hard even when they're near the boat. Unlike channel cats that might hole up in cover, blues roam the reservoir following schools of shad and other baitfish. They're also surprisingly smart fish that can be picky about bait presentation, which is why having an experienced guide like Greg makes such a difference. The population in Tuttle Creek includes plenty of fish in the 10 to 20-pound range, with the occasional monster that'll really test your tackle and your skills.
Tuttle Creek's blue catfish bite stays strong through much of the season, but the best dates fill up quickly with Greg's repeat customers. This top-rated guide trip gives you eight hours of focused catfishing with someone who knows these waters inside and out. The catch-and-release format means you're contributing to the health of the fishery while still getting that adrenaline rush from fighting big fish. At just two anglers per trip, you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching to improve your catfishing skills. Whether you're looking to cross a trophy blue off your bucket list or just want to spend a great day on one of Kansas' best catfish lakes, this trip delivers the goods. Greg provides all the tackle and expertise – you just need to bring your fishing license and get ready for some serious catfish action in the heart of the Flint Hills.
You'll be fishing aboard Greg's 2026 Lund Tyee 20, a rock-solid catfishing platform built to handle Tuttle Creek's big blues. This 20-footer comes rigged with a Mercury 225 HP outboard that'll get you to the hot spots fast, plus all the electronics you need – GPS to mark productive areas, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure where those trophy cats hang out. The Tyee's stable hull design keeps you comfortable during long fights with big fish, and there's plenty of deck space for two anglers to work without getting tangled up. Greg's got this boat dialed in perfectly for blue catfish – from rod holders positioned just right to a setup that makes landing and releasing these powerful fish as smooth as possible on Kansas waters.
Kansas