Mark Filley
Capitano

Mark Filley

Kingston, Stati Uniti
Di proprietà di un veterano
Scelta dell'pescatore
50+ recensioni
I am a US Navy combat Veteran and recently retired automotive engineer. I have been Catfishing for nearly 30 years, winning all 3 catfish tournaments I have entered. Over the past 10 years, I have taken numerous people, mostly friends, family, and neighborhood kids on guided Catfishing excursions, with many a smile and pictures taken with our local River Monsters. Over the past few years, with added electronics, higher-quality gear, and refined modern techniques, I have become a true Catfishing nerd. I will share as much (or as little) you want to know about my take on Catfishing during our excursion.

Charter

Valutazione

5.0
82 recensioni
5.0
Barca & Attrezzatura
5.0
Capitano e Equipaggio
5.0
Esperienza di pesca

What anglers say

98%
Buona esperienza
100%
Capitano cordiale
100%
Consiglia questo charter
100%
Adatto ai bambini
100%
Soddisfatto dell’imbarcazione
100%
Pesce catturato

Tutte le recensioni (82)

Visualizzazione 15 di 82 recensioni
  • Josh Vanbuskirk
    Josh Vanbuskirk
    us
    Michigan, Stati Uniti
    Membro da 2026
    5.0
    Verificato

    markbob knows how to find the giant catfish

    Uscita di 5 ore – Kingston Pesce gatto - 15:002 adulti1 bambino

    mark is a excellent captain! We went in a drought and a slow time of year, and mark was determined to get us hooked on some giant catfish which has been my sons dream for some years now!! We had a slow start , but with marks determination he was able to get us hooked in a couple of giant catfish that definitely exceeded expectations!!!! One 32lbs and one 48lbs along with some smaller ones that were excellent eaters! Mark is highly recommended and we will be booking again!

    Risposta del Capitano

    Thanks Josh and Bram. Thanks for your patience and positive attitude during a real tough bite.

  • Shana Stapelmann
    Shana Stapelmann
    Pescatore abituale
    us
    Wisconsin, Stati Uniti
    Membro da 2024
    7 gite
    5.0
    Verificato

    Great Fishing Trip!

    Uscita di 5 ore – Spring City3 adulti

    We had a great time catching some catfish! Started off a bit slow but was to be expected since we booked during end of spawing. We still managed to bring in 6 with one larger post spawn female in the 20lbs. I would definitely recommend booking this trip. The captain was very knowledgeableand showed us the best techniques and locations for catching them. He was also very personable and we had great conversations throughout the trip.

    Cattura segnalata:
    Pesce gatto
    Risposta del Capitano

    Thanks Shana! Enjoyed having each of you on the boat.

  • Christine Lock
    Christine Lock
    us
    California, Stati Uniti
    Membro da 2026
    5.0
    Verificato

    best trip!

    Uscita di 5 ore – Pesce gatto a Kingston2 adulti

    We were in town visiting from California and this looked a really fun excursion. Myself and 14 year old son (who has never caught anything) went out for a 5 hour morning trip. We caught 13 large catfish in total, 3 of which were over 20 pounds! We learned a lot about fishing for catfish and a lot about the different types of wildlife in the area. Captain was very knowledgable which helped us be so successful. Such a great time!

    Risposta del Capitano

    Thanks Christine! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip here in East Tennessee.

  • Jacob Koonce
    Jacob Koonce
    Pescatore abituale
    us
    Tennessee, Stati Uniti
    Membro da 2025
    5 gite
    5.0
    Verificato
    NUOVO

    Best Catfish Charter!

    Uscita di 5 ore – Pesce gatto a Kingston5 adulti

    We had a great trip with Captain Mark! We all caught fish and we got one giant! Even with less than ideal weather and water conditions, Mark still made it happen! Thank you for a great trip sir!

    Risposta del Capitano

    Thanks Jacob!

  • Jacob Koonce
    Jacob Koonce
    Pescatore abituale
    us
    Tennessee, Stati Uniti
    Membro da 2025
    5 gite
    5.0
    Verificato
    NUOVO

    Big Catfish!

    Uscita di 5 ore – Pesce gatto a Kingston5 adulti

    Went on another charter with captain Mark and some family in town and he can always find the fish! We caught about ten and three were huge! I highly recommend this charter, always a great time! Thanks captain Mark!

    Risposta del Capitano

    Thanks Jacob! Great crew for such a hot morning.

Catture reali condivise dalla nostra community

  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Best Catfish Charter!
    Jacob K.
    Jacob K.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Big Catfish!
    Jacob K.
    Jacob K.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Great Catfish Trip
    Rodney F.
    Rodney F.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    August fishing trip
    Rodney S.
    Rodney S.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    A Great Trip!
    Courtney S.
    Courtney S.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    best trip!
    Christine L.
    Christine L.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    really good trip
    O'malley  .
    O'malley .
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Big Cats!
    Tyler A.
    Tyler A.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Twelve fun Blue Cats and a trophy 🏆
    Ryan H.
    Ryan H.
  • Markybob Catfishing
    Markybob CatfishingKingston, TN
    Great trip excellent captain with a lot of knowledge and experience
    Rodney S.
    Rodney S.

Rapporti di pesca

The Spawn is On, and the river is FINALL

mag 24, 2026 • Kingston
5/25/2026: The Catfish Spawn is on in full force. It started early this year (end of April), which is rare. The spawn is usually a 6 week period, so I am expecting the spawn to wind down by early June. Only small catfish are caught during spawn. The large females and nearly all males do not eat during spawn. The females only spawn for about 2 weeks, so post spawn females are possible. Smaller, no spawn females are definitely out there and being caught. The big males spawn and guard the nest. We are still getting numbers and action, but zero big monsters. After Extreme drought, recent heavy rains have finally started raising the water levels to near full summer pool. The bites are really turned on for numbers, but still no big ones. However, the spawn should be winding under over the next 2 weeks.
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Fall bite 2025 nearing the end.

nov 6, 2025 • Kingston
November 6th: The past few weeks have been on fire for both quantity and quality. This is typical of the mid fall bite when water temps hit low 70's/upper 60s. Bait scatters throughout the depths, making the catfish very active. However, this has been a very short fall, at least on the water. Surface water temps have started to drop dramatically, 10 degrees in the past 8 days, now in the upper 50s. Within 2 weeks, the deeper water temps will also get into the 50s, which then becomes a "winter pattern" of anchored up fish. As with every year, on November 1, TVA started dropping Watts Bar to winter pool levels (targeted for December 1st), which will further slow down the bite. Tough weather has recently caused 3 clients to cancel 3 charter trips and missed opportunities to take advantage of what has been a great fall bite.
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Winter Fishing Report 2024-2025

dic 18, 2024 • Kingston
Water Temperatures have dropped to winter levels (mid to high 40's), and the water flow-current is erratic, which means the catfishing is slow. However, they can still be caught. Setting up on structure for an hour, move, repeat, is the most successful winter technique. Mid - Morning to Mid afternoon trips are the best time to be on the water to catch big cats at their most active.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Catfish while fishing on a calm lake, showcasing a successful catch during a relaxing day on the water.

Best / Worst Time of Year to Catfish, Be

lug 14, 2024 • Kingston
There are certain times of the year to consider if planning ahead to go catfishing. I have ranked them from Best to Worst based upon experience of LOCAL waters and focused on large blue catfish. The Best #1: Mid June to Late August: Blue Cats spawn locally from May to June. They do not all spawn at the same time, but a percentage will be in spawn mode from May to mid June. When they come out of spawn (almost all by Mid June), they are hungry and active. Catfish do not eat (much) during spawn, and are instead driven to spawn and fight in shallow water and soft banks. Males are the last to come off of the nest. We usually see/catch large, scared up and extra slimy males in the middle of June. Early on, they tend to be scattered but are actively eating and on the move. Later, in Mid July throughout August, the cats tend to anchor up in deeper water wait for bait rather than going after them. This presents a good opportunity to catch cats in concentrated areas. #2: Late March into April. Blue Catfish come up from the colder deep waters into shallow waters and secondary channels staging for spawn where bait is plentiful as they bulk up for the upcoming spawn. Although the number of Cats caught is not as high, the cats that you do catch can be true trophies. Knowing the contours, flats, banks, and structure is key to scoring a pre-spawn Cat. It is this time of year that many bass anglers catch Catfish on artificial lures as these anglers target shallower water, active presentation, near structure. #3: September to Mid November. As the surface temps start to cool, baitfish tend to come up to shallower water in schools to feed and bulk up, with the cats close behind. Shallower flats and creek channels, especially in the hours around sunrise and sunset, can be very effective areas. The Worst: #1. May-First week of June. May is a great time to be on the water for comfortable weather, but not good for catfishing for larger catfish. Catfish can be caught in numbers, but expect them to be less than 10 lbs. Those smaller cats are either too young or cannot compete for spawning areas. If fishing this time of year, your best bet is the anchor up, target flatheads (which spawn later) and be very patient, or be okay with catching smaller blue cats. #2: Mid November Through February: Catfish do eat in winter, but are much less active as they conserve energy. You can expect the overall fishing numbers caught of both larger and smaller cats to decrease. Anchoring up in and around deep structure is your best bet, as is targeting 2 hours after/before Sunrise/Sunset. Big Cats can be caught, but patience / time is required. #3: 2 days before and after a full moon (unless fishing at night). A full moon tends to make the bait very active in the middle of the night. A full or near full moon is a great time to night fish during the summer months for Catfish and other species, but it hurts daytime fishing. There are other conditions besides time of year that can improve or worsen your chances at catching big cats. >Times of drought, which causes a lack of water flow, causes all fishing to slow down. Conversely, times of good rain presents good opportunity. >Unusually warm weather during the winter can turn on the bait fish and consequently the catfish bite. >Increases in flow / current can turn on a bite. Decreases in flow / current tend to slow it down. There are tactics to both take advantage of the good times, and to mitigate the less than good times. Catfish CAN BE CAUGHT YEAR ROUND. Being both a Charter boat Captain locally, as well as a Charter boat client for offshore fishing, there is nothing more frustrating than scheduling a trip well in advance, only to have weather or conditions worsen just before or during the trip. I will work with you on rapid rescheduling as needed / if possible.
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Two anglers proudly displaying a large Catfish while fishing on a serene lake, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Summertime Post Spawn Catfishing

giu 28, 2024 • Kingston
During Spawn, large catfish will not eat and are instead busy spawning and fighting in 2-10 ft of water. Although catfish do not all spawn at the same time, the 6 week window associated with spawn is a difficult time to catch large fish. On Watts Bar Lake, large females started being caught during the second week of June, with larger males 2 weeks thereafter. From now until mid August is a great time to target post spawn big catfish in the deeper sections of the river/lake as they are skinny and hungry! That being said, June has been one of the driest on record, which has caused no flow of water from the various creeks that feed Watts Bar. In addition, TVA is not releasing much water through the Tennessee River systems dams. Low/No Flow means the catfish are not on the move actively feeding and are instead "anchored" to the bottom of the deeper sections of the lake/river. As such, you have to put the bait on their nose rather than letting them run into you. Fortunately, I have found some good water to do just that. See attached pictures here and in customer reviews of large yet skinny catfish from some of the June fishing charter trips.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Blue Catfish while fishing on a serene lake, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Water temps rising, Catfishing heating u

mar 12, 2024 • Kingston
Water Temps starting to rise on the bar right on time. 53 around Caney yesterday (warmer in the shallows). Saw a lot of bait in 25 ft of water up out of the main channel and several successful bass anglers taking advantage. This Catfish angler was also successful, 4 caught in a short period of time, including this 30 pounder. Got the skunk off of the new MadKatz Bulldog rod. Skipjack and a rare (caught yesterday) Red Horse Sucker for bait. Cmon spring.
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