Cat Fishin'

Spike the dog is guarding a watering hole, but he appears to be sleeping on the job. So Tom the cat uses the chance to sneak in hoping to get a little fishing in, using Jerry the mouse as bait of course. But thanks to an over eager fish who wants the mouse badly things don't go as planned. As the fish inadvertently wakes Butch up to get the drop on Tom. I mentioned in an earlier review how I didn't really like the Buzzard/Vulture in Flirty Birdy, well the same can be said about the fish in this one. It's an OK short, but not one of the better ones. This cartoon can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

My Grade: B-

Even if the story is rather predictable, Cat Fishin' is still very entertaining. It moves quickly, has exquisitely rendered animation and fun music. And Tom, Jerry and Spike seem to be enjoying themselves immensely, though you feel really sorry for Spike, particularly when the fish abruptly wakes him up. But it is the barracuda-like fish who steals the show from under the three lovable characters, as he foils Tom's fishy exploits in a vicious kind of way. The ending is appropriate and entertaining as is usually the case with Tom and Jerry. Overall, occasionally predictable, but a lot of fun, that is elevated by the antics of the fish. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Tom goes fishing and plans to use Jerry as live bait to catch the fishes.

First he has to evade Spike the bulldog. That is easily done as he is snoozing allowing Tom to past by.

However Jerry is unwilling to be fish food, it leaves both Jerry and Spike with a sore head.

This is a frenetic cartoon with a better relationship between the cat and mouse pair.

It is Spike who is the antagonist along with some of the fishes.

The animation is good with some funny sequences.

Kids will certainly enjoy this cartoon. Adults might find it a little too straightforward lacking a little bit of zaniness.

After a long slow pan across a beautifully rendered wire fence on which several warning signs are nailed ('Keep Out', 'No Fishing', 'Beware of the Dog' etc.), we see Tom, armed with rod and tackle box, blatantly ignoring any warnings and entering the prohibited area to indulge in a spot of angling. After a short altercation with guard-dog Spike, the mischievous cat sets about trying to land a fish—using Jerry as live bait!

With excellent animation, loads of funny gags, and an additional character in the form of a very toothy fish, Cat Fishin' is another top-quality adventure, and is highly recommended to fans of the cartoon cat and mouse. Standout moments include Tom hiding from Spike at the top of his fishing rod (what a dumb dog!), Jerry being dressed up as a worm and cast into the lake for the waiting fish (wearing a napkin), and the painful looking bit where Spike's fat head is forced through a narrow gap between two rocks (his eyes bulging out on the way!).

7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.

This "Tom and Jerry" short called "Cat Fishin'" was one that was clever and fun as Tom sets out to the beautiful lake on a warm sunny day to fish a little. And the fish are swarming ready to bite only Jerry the little mouse is gonna be dinner as he's live bait! However Spike is the pond's guard dog and things become entertaining as Spike proves his teeth are bigger and sharper than any fish in the lake! Overall fun one that again had the cat and mouse in a different setting out of the house one of the better outdoor themed one's.