I am a novice, but don't want to remain one...I also don't want to waste my time. can anyone offer up tips on strategies for catching cat fish, especially near the aqua duct in Palmdale. everything...bait, how to rig it, weights, hooks, times, etc. Or even recommend a good book.
Thanks,
your affectionate uncle Screwtape:)

1. There's a lot of good info if you do a search on this site.

2. Personally, chicken livers work for me on a #1 hook with 18 - 24 inch leader and a 1 oz flat sinker (10 pound test)

3. You will find other methods once you do a search on this site

4. Time of day? Well, for me it's anytime the sun is not out!

5. Good luck. The aqueduct looks deceiving but big ones are in there

yup. click SEARCH then type CATFISH. you will have lots of posts to read. lots of info. also click SEARCH and type AQUEDUCT.

Thanks for the tip. I feel like a true novice when it comes to the "little tips" that help you do it right, and this is what I am looking for. My boys (8 and 6) when to the aqua duct again today and got skunked for the second time. we had fun but it is disappointing not to catch anything. We were using chicken liver and some shrimp....nada. I did learn one good lesson over several lost rigs of tackle- don't cast near the bouys or ladder, your line will snag on the gear and then it's over. The other day we went at night and got nothing, today we went around 3pm. We'll keep trying.

Thanks, I am determined to score, but have had a few disappointing days. the other day we went and it was so windy that I think my rig was getting blown against the bank. Can you suggest a good place to purchase chicken liver for bait?
Screwtape

Welcome to the frustrating and rewarding world of Aqueduct fishing. Me and my sons, who are 5 and 6 fish the duct probably 3 to 4 times a week here in Palmdale, it's only a 10 minute drive for us.
If you live here in the area, the cheapest place for chicken livers is Food 4 Less at AVE. S and 25th east, about 1/2 the price as other stores, and they come in quart containers insead of the little pint sized ones.
We consistantly score well on the cats and stripers here. Livers are my bait of choice, and like marcsee said, before the sun is strong on the water, either early AM or at dusk and later.
When the wind is howlin as usual around here, I fish up to a 3 oz. sliding sinker with a 2 foot leader. My email address is in my members profile, shoot me a line and I'll give you a couple spots where you and your sons can score some fish, I know how hard it is to keep them interested when nothing is biting.

Thanks for the advise!! We have gone to the site near Tierra Subida and Avenue S...maybe there are better spots. I will check out your e-mail as I get an opportunity. We are really excited about fishing and I feel that psycologically, our profile must be approaching a that of a compulsive gambler who thinks that one more quarter will win the jackpot. Yesterday I had a 3 oz sinker (big) on the line because the day before our lines were getting carried around in the current, but this seemed too heavy for anyone (of my boys) but me to cast.

Do you do anything to the livers? I noticed that the second day we went out, after they were in the sun for a while, they were much more ripe, which seems like it would qualify for "stink bait" which everyone tells me I need.

Give BankLber. an email. HE REALLY KNOWS THE DUCT IN PALMDALE. He has done well for kitties. Details can really make a difference.

My opinion on 'stank' livers. Accidentally drop it in the water (unoffical chum). It's too mushy to stay on the hook. I've experimented curing livers with garlic powder in the sun. I can't count the number of times I left them out too long and made a smelly, mushy mess. As suggested by bankpounder buy Food 4 Less @.98 per lb vs. $1.49 - $1.69 per lb. Good luck!!