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Catfish are freshwater fish that thrive in ponds, lakes and rivers in temperate climates. To be good at catching catfish, you need to know what they like to eat, where they dwell, and which techniques entice them to take the bait. Read on for catfish-catching tips that will ensure you won't leave the boat with an empty cooler.
Steps
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Buy a fishing rod and line. The size of the rod you buy should be determined by the size of the fish available to catch in your region. [1] X Research source
- For fish under 20 pounds, use a six-foot rod with at least a 10-pound test line.
- For fish over 20 pounds, use a seven-foot rod with at least a 20-pound test line.
- Longer rods are better for fishing from banks, as opposed to a boat, since they offer greater reach.
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Buy fishhooks, bobbers, and other gear. Most sporting good stores sell starter tackle boxes that include a range of supplies to get you started. When it comes down to it, all you really need are sharp fishhooks, but some of the other accessories are nice to have.
- Glow-in-the-dark bobbers can come in handy when you're fishing at night.
- Other types of bobbers can be helpful when you're fishing on a still pond.
- You'll also need buckets and coolers to hold your bait and any catfish you'll be bringing home.
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Experiment with different types of bait. Some catfish enthusiasts swear by a specific type of bait, but the truth is that catfish will eat many different things. For your first few catfish expeditions, take a few different types of bait, so you can find out what the catfish in your region like to eat. [2] X Research source Try some of these options:
- Try cut bait. Shad, herring, goldeye, and other baitfish release oils that attract catfish. Slices of these fish are particularly effective for catching channel catfish, which are the most common type of catfish in North America.
- You can also use live baitfish that haven't been cut. These won't release oil as readily, but they may be more appealing to catfish since they're alive. Experiment to see which one is better.
- Try crawfish. Catfish in southern regions might eat crawfish, which is available at your local bait shop.
- Try nightcrawlers, which you can also buy at the bait shop. These worms are appealing to many types of fish..
- If you don't want to make a run to the bait shop, you can use chicken livers or pieces of corn.
- Try an artificial bait. There are dozens of artificial catfish baits sold at sporting goods stores, many of which claim to have a magic ingredient for which catfish go wild. However, expert fishermen say that the best fish are caught with real, live bait.
- Try cut bait. Shad, herring, goldeye, and other baitfish release oils that attract catfish. Slices of these fish are particularly effective for catching channel catfish, which are the most common type of catfish in North America.
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Choose a bait size that matches the size of the fish you want to catch. If you know you stand the chance of catching a 50-pound fish, you're going to need a large piece of bait. Smaller bait like nightcrawlers will get stolen off the hook.
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Keep the bait fresh. Catfish aren't going to eat fish pieces that have been sitting out, so you'll need to store them in a bait cooler to keep them cold during the hours you'll be spending on the water.
- Keep nightcrawlers in a container inside a cooler.
- Keep cut baitfish on ice.
- Keep live baitfish in a bucket of cool water.
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Start fishing in the spring. Catfish are less active when the water is cold, so the best time to start fishing is when water levels rise and the water warms to about fifty degrees in the spring. You can continue fishing until it gets cold again. [3] X Research source
- Experiment to find the best time of year to go catfishing in your region. In some places the season may start earlier, and in other places the water doesn't warm up until early summer.
- Blue catfish, which live in the Southern United States, are active all winter long, so you don't have to pause during the colder months if you're fishing in that region.
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Go early in the morning. Catfish are more active very early in the morning, so plan to start your fishing expedition before sunrise, or even earlier. They tend to feed during these hours.
- Fishing at night can also yield a large catch. If you like to stay up all night on the water, try fishing starting around one or two in the morning.
- You might find some catfish later in the day if it's overcast or raining, but if there's full sun, the fish are likely to be less active.
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Look for spots with cover. Catfish like to dwell in places where a current meets a still area, so they can rest without fighting the current. "Covered" areas can be found where the current hits a large log or rock, usually near the bank of a river. Other resting places might be found near dams or other man-made structures in the water. [4] X Research source
- In smaller rivers and streams, look for eddies created by rocks and fallen logs toward the middle of the water.
- If you're fishing in a pond or reservoir, look for areas near feeder creeks, very deep spots, and fallen logs and boulders.
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Take your position. Once you've chosen the spot where you want to start fishing, drop your anchor, set up your equipment, cast your line and wait for a bite.
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Reel it in. When a catfish bites, let the line go a bit slack and then start reeling it in, quickly. Read How to Reel in a Large Fish to learn proper reeling techniques.
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Examine the fish's size. Make sure the fish meets the size requirements for keeping fish in your region.
- If the fish is too small, you will have to unhook it and set it free.
- If you plan to keep the fish, place it in a bucket of water so that you can clean and skin it later.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I find the fishing license requirements for my region?Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.Search Google for fishing license plus the name of the state. In most places, you can get your license immediately. A lot of states also have a phone app, so your fishing license is digital, which makes it easy.
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QuestionWhat are some of the most common mistakes people make when getting prepared to fish?Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.Probably not preparing for the weather. It's going to rain sometimes. Always keep rain gear ready. Having backup equipment is also really important. Make sure you have two rods with you because things happen. Polarized glasses are an absolute must. Those allow you to see into the water. Mindset is the other thing to prepare. Go with a sense of adventure. Know that you're probably going to make mistakes, we all do. You might not catch fish and that's okay but you're going to learn something in the process and if you do catch fish, that's a bonus.
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QuestionWhat type of bait should I use?Community AnswerCut bait is best for catfish; artificial baits have a weird scent to which catfish are not attracted. Catch small fish in the area you are fishing for catfish in, and cut them up into bite-size pieces. Cast out and let the bait sit on the bottom.
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Tips
- To pursue big fish, use a wide beamed boat. Otherwise, you may fall in. Fishing from the bank solves this.Thanks
- Once you catch the catfish, it can be fried, grilled or baked depending on your preference.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://fishingbooker.com/blog/how-to-catch-catfish-complete-guide-to-catfishing/
- ↑ https://shopkarls.com/blog/catfish-fishing-101-tips-catfish/
- ↑ https://www.catfishedge.com/best-time-catch-catfish/
- ↑ https://shopkarls.com/blog/catfish-fishing-101-tips-catfish/
- Videos provided by Catfish and Carp
About This Article
Article Summary
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To catch catfish, plan to go fishing early in the morning or at night, since this is when catfish are most active. Before you set out, decide on the bait you want to use, such as cut herring, nightcrawlers, or crawfish. Then, find a place where the current meets a still area, like a big rock on a river bank, as this is where catfish usually swim. Once you're in position, drop your anchor, cast your line, and wait for a bite. When you get one, let the line go slack for a minute before reeling it in. For tips on how to tell if the catfish is too small to keep or how to store it for cleaning and skinning, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The entire article was helpful to me, being as I have never fished in my life. I am going to start looking for the items that are suggested so I will be ready to start learning to fish next year using the suggestions from the article." ..." more
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"The entire article was helpful to me, being as I have never fished in my life. I am going to start looking for the items that are suggested so I will be ready to start learning to fish next year using the suggestions from the article."
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"Do not use a bobber and slowly reel in the bait, it helps to catch the fish's eye and also gives you a wider range. All good tips. "
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