Artie, 54 degrees. My buddy landed a 24”, I got a dink 15” and lost a nicer one. Slow day altogether. Conditions seemed excellent. Might need to shift gears to panfish.

4 days in NY. Mixed results. The Big River fished decent on Wednesday. Hit a smaller stream Thrusday, no water. Went to Dirty Burt for the entertainment, if you have the chance to go, DON'T. Friday fished NY Erie tribs. Did ok, but again, not enough water. My best catch came from Seneca Niagara, Friday night at the Spanish 21 table$$$$.

Didn’t get to do too much fishing in Denton. Thursday was the only day the weather cooperated, and the guys I was there with didn’t have the kind of attention span you need to explore a new lake. But we got out on Ray Roberts lake for a bit. The lake was super low so we just found a spot with water access and walked the exposed shoreline for a couple hours.

I got one decent bass, and a second that was just barely bigger than the swimbait I was throwing. Popped the cherry on the travel rod though. I’ll definitely be bringing it on future trips.

 Heading out tomorrow night, moon has been looking inviting lately. Hope to fill the fish basket up with treats 
 
 Bad thing is a good bit of ghost hunters visit the haunted graveyard on the 30th & 31st up the road a little so will have to tolerate the traffic turning around   
 
photo from there

That looks like my fish camera when I put it in Arthur...  What a great investment that was!
 
How late do you usually fish?  I've done okay at dusk and first dark.  It seems to die off quickly though.  Do they pick back up later?  I've debated to try to stick around, but usually plan it to hit more light and dress for the light.  Once the sun goes down, usually 20 degree drop and my toes are already frozen from wading around.  I don't think that I have ever lasted more than an hour after dark before...
 
Any suggestions for cold water cats?  I got one a few weeks ago, water wasn't really cold (upper 50s).  It was really good eating, I think that I prefer them over crappie to be honest.  One is usually about the same meat as 2-3 decent crappie too and doesn't have that crumbly texture that crappie has.  Besides nights the stripes aren't cooperating, I haven't really targeted cats with much success.  I catch them all of the time, not trying to, on just about anything...  They seem to really like cut alewives though.  Anyone happen to know where they prefer to hangout at this time of year?
 
I'm trying to get my son, nephew and brother out before we are all stuck inside.    

 The Perch seem to quit at dark but the Crappie can go on for hours. A good bit of the time when I am ready to leave I'll notice a glimmer of light in the distance so stick around for the moon rise. Turns them right back on most nights. Last (only) time out this yr. the moon was out before it was dark so didn't happen. Had to pretty much keep the jig twitching and moving to trigger strikes. Was nice to get out but was kind of boring at the same time. Kept 22. 10''-- 11'' and only 2 were 12" not like fishing Pymy but still decent healthy fish.
 
 A couple weeks ago (same outing as above) caught three Catfish trying to avoid them with Shiner 18" below float. All too big for good table fair. I wade most every time out so couldn't tell you when the Catfish get tough from a boat. From shore they seem to feed very heavy in Oct. then nothing after a cold spell. I'll set a line tonight with a large Shiner and see if still around. Only going down to 54* tonight so possible they are still feeding in close but not for long.

 Haven't kept a Catfish for over 25 years. They are tasty like you say though. My oldest son keeps them and likes them better than Crappie also. Hard part is catching them in that 16"--22" range from there.
 
crappy

I hadn't kept any for years until about 5 years or so ago.  ZelieSam told me that I am missing out if I don't give it a try.  I had always related them to the rivers and filled with toxins...  Since then, I have kept a bunch and all were really good.  I rarely target them, but will keep about half of the accidental catches, which are a blast when panfishing.  Not so much when striper fishing, you can tell within a few pulls of what it is, or at least rule out a nicer striper pretty quickly.  I think they are great fried or blackened, good texture and just enough taste to them.  Like most fish, you have to get rid of the blood line, which isn't all too hard on cats.  I use your recommendation a few years back of holding the knife about 1/8" up on the skinning cuts and makes cleaning a breeze.  You do lose a little meat, but usually lose that meat when trimming.  I find it to be too much work for the stripers.  If I get a little dot of blood line or those blood dots on the tail loin, the whole fish taste like mud.  Even if they have blood left in the veins they often have that foul taste.  If I gut hook one, I'll keep, but those are C&R for me to hopefully catch a few times.  Even the ones that I am able to clean well, they are good, but I like the taste of cats better.  Perch are my favorite and walleye are great, but I can only luck into a couple of those per year.  Trying to get my kid and nephew into fish to fry up, I am thinking cats and panfish are the way to go.  Unless those cats go into hibernation.

The Tarentum docks were pulled on Friday, I launched solo without them and was not a happy camper. Managed to catch a few walleye though, biggest was 22". I'll be fishing the Fall Brawl / Walleye Slam with some Army buddies over Veterans day weekend. I'll let you guys know if I pull anything in worth weighing.   

 Tim, November is prime for Perch up here. Will get better as the month goes on. Hate to see the docks at Pymy starting tomorrow, Lol!!
 
 I go down and watch sometimes though. Gonna take my brother soon since he hasn't fished in 2 years. Easy to get to and close to camp and if he don't last long no big deal. I wouldn't try and launch a boat there unless you can push off the trailer though.