Catfish Fishing

 

Catfish are a popular target for anglers due to their abundance, hard-fighting nature, and delicious taste. Here is some essential information to get you started on your catfishing adventure:

 

Types of Catfish:

 

Channel Catfish: The most common type, found in various freshwater habitats. They have a distinctive forked tail and a dark stripe along their sides.  

Blue Catfish: The largest of the North American catfish species, capable of reaching over 100 pounds. They have a bluish-gray coloration and a wide, flat head. 

Flathead Catfish: A flat-bodied catfish with a large mouth and a mottled brown coloration. They are primarily found in rivers and large lakes

 

Where to Find Catfish:

 

Catfish can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats, including:

 

    Rivers: Look for deep holes, eddies, and areas with structure like fallen trees or rocks.  

 

    Lakes: Focus on areas with deep water, weed beds, and rocky points.

    Ponds: Catfish can be found throughout the pond, but deeper areas are often more productive.

 

When to Fish for Catfish:

 

Catfish are most active at night, but they can also be caught during the day, especially in deeper water or during cooler weather.

 

What to Use for Bait:

 

Catfish are opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of baits, including:

 

    Live bait: Minnows, shad, sunfish, and crayfish are all effective live baits.

    Cut bait: Chicken livers, shrimp, and other types of fish are popular cut baits.  

 

Prepared baits: There are many commercial catfish baits available, often containing a blend of scents and flavors. 

 

Fishing Techniques:

 

    Bottom fishing: The most common method, using a heavy sinker to keep the bait on the bottom.

    Noodling: A hands-on technique where anglers reach into holes and crevices to grab catfish.

    Jug fishing: A method that involves using jugs or floats to hold lines and baits.

 

Essential Gear:

 

    Rod and reel: A sturdy medium-heavy action rod and reel is ideal for catfish fishing.  

 

Line: Use heavy braided line, such as 50–80-pound test.

Hooks: Circle hooks are a good choice for catfish, as they reduce the chance of deep hooking. 

Sinkers: Use heavy sinkers to keep your bait on the bottom. 

 

    Bait net: A bait net is helpful for catching live bait.

 

Safety Tips:

 

Always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat.

    Be aware of your surroundings and be cautious of snags.

    Wash your hands thoroughly after handling catfish.

 

Additional Tips:

 

    Experiment with different baits and techniques to find what works best in your area.

    Use strong scents to attract catfish.

    Be patient and persistent, as it may take some time to catch a catfish.

 

By following these tips, you will be well on your way to enjoying a successful catfishing adventure. Remember to check local regulations and obtain the necessary fishing licenses before you go.
 

Catfish are considered one of the top predator fishes. Catfish are often aggressive biters and can be easily caught using a simple bait. They prey on the food sources around them, which is why they can get huge. Fishing for catfish is fun and thrill. They fight hard, are abundant, and taste great.

Catfish can flourish from shallow, warm ponds to fast rivers. They tend to move towards areas that hold some sort of structure like a bridge, dock, downed tree, rocky bottom. They prefer muddy water areas during the day. Deep structures, like river beds, the base of drop-offs, deep holes, and humps host plenty of catfish.

The night is an excellent time for fishing catfish due to nocturnal feeding. Catfish use their sensitive senses of smell and their barbels to detect food in the dark. Flats, bars, points, shorelines, and weedy areas are preferable spots to catch them at night.

TYPES OF CATFISH

There are three main types of catfish: the channel catfish, the blue catfish, and the flathead catfish. The channel catfish is the most common type that many anglers catch. They don’t get as big as the blue or flathead catfish, however, they are the hardest fighting catfish of the three. Blue catfish are the big ones and may exceed 100 lbs, and it’s a thrill to catch a giant blue. The Flathead catfish is a top river predator. They are territorial and do not allow any prey to enter its domain.

THE EQUIPMENT

Catfish fishing does not require any specialized equipment. The following is a basic kit for small to average-sized fish.

  • A 6- to 7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod and a reel coiled with 14-pound or stronger abrasion-resistant monofilament
  • Terminal tackle including 1/0 to 3/0 circle or bait hooks, # 2 to #6 treble hooks, #7 to #10 swivels, bobbers, beads, and jig heads
  • Live worms or minnows, cut-bait, or smelly artificial bait
  • Boat or shore-style rod holder
  • A pair of long-nosed pliers for removing hooks
  • A bucket to store fish

HOW TO CATCH CATFISH

A slip-sinker rig is a common setup when catfish are located near the bottom. It's made by threading a sinker on the mainline, then a bead. Next, the mainline is tied to one end of a swivel. On the swivel's other end is a 1-2-foot monofilament leader, followed by the hook. 

Afloat rig is made by adding afloat above the weight on a slip sinker rig. This rig can be used drift bait slowly through wood-rich catfish lairs or over weed without snagging on the bottom.

A jig head tipped with bait will also catch catfish. Lift and drop the jig along the bottom often leads to a bite.

 

Noodling:

 An interesting technique called noodling is known as another way to catfish by using your own hands. This type of catfish fishing is called “noodling”, and is only legal in certain states, so please check your states current fishing laws before attempting this method where you live. Noodling catfish may be an exhilarating experience, but is also one that can be dangerous because you are reaching into a hole that you are unable to see into. First, you locate a catfish hole, which is simply a catfish nest. Once you locate the nest, put your hand in the hole. More often than not, the catfish will feel threatened and bite down on your hand to defend its nest. Once this happens, grab the catfish by the lower jaw and pull it out of the nest and out of the water.