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CATFISHING TIPS
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Catfish are a fun fish to go
after. See if these tips help you... |
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RIGGING METHODS
TIGHTLINING
allows you to control the bait in
regards to the distance from the bottom. Take a large hook or treble hook
(depending what bait you plan on using) and tie it on the line "where you want
it to go". Now, tie a weight on the end of the line. The weight size depends on
your fishing conditions...in moving water or current you'll need a heavy weight
to keep the bait still. If the water area is calm and deep, put enough weight on
to get it down to the fish. Don't put a very heavy weight on if not needed. Take
a split shot and set the hook to your "fishing distance" above the weight.
You'll have to go through a few casts to determine this, so start out with about
18" to 24". Nice rig when confronted with a lot of vegetation. It tends to bring
the bait forward from the cover for the fish to see.
4lb Catfish - Conowingo
Dam, MD
Caught using chicken livers on
trebles |
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QUICK TIP - SLIDING SINKER / SLIP SINKER RIG
A great standard rig for shore or drift fishing from a boat for them. Generally
you take 12 to 18 inch of leader with anywhere from a #4 to #2/0 hook. Take a
barrel sinker (you can also use a sinker-slide) and slide it through the line.
Then add a plastic bead and a swivel (a strong one). We could easily get more
technical, but if you just look at the photo and have fished before, you know
this rig.
If you're new to knots or rigs...go to our
FISHING RESOURCES
section.
The younger the catfish, the less picky. Older ones seem to target the dead
stuff...minnow, crayfish, anything as such. Always change up after a while.
Never keep throwing out the same bait if nothing's hittin' what you've been
constantly using. If you want big catfish...go with cut-bait and big sharp
trebles or other curved style hooks. Bottom fish your favorite hole at dusk or
dawn.
That's it. We could have just written that. |
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BAIT RECOMMENDATIONS
Chicken Livers - These are my top choice. Buy them, separate and put them in
small plastic bags in your freezer now! When you head out, just grab a
bag...you'll always have fun with these. They are available at your local
grocery store (in the pork/chicken fresh meat aisle). They are inexpensive and
simply a top catfish getter. Make sure you have some
nice sharp treble hooks, and some napkins (more in that later). When fishing,
take one liver, lay it on the treble hook and hold the ends.
Pull the hook up very easily and set the bait. Make sure it's on tightly
and cast out. That's it.
Remember the napkin, use it now. Clean your
hands and the area well. When using these, you have chicken blood on your hands
and around you...nice animal/insect attractant it is, so clean up well.
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| So What Bait? |
| We Recommend You Use: |
Worms (Nightcrawlers or Bloodworms)
Any type of Minnow (alive/dead/parts)
Various Catfish Baits (Berkley..etc)
Crawfish/Crayfish, Doughballs/Bait |
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Berkley Gulp
Chicken Livers
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Catfish anglers can
now forget the mess of using real meat as bait. New from Gulp! are Chicken
Livers that last longer and are more effective in catching fish than the real
thing. Catfish anglers dream of big whiskers and the hope that someday grungy
catfish baits can be replaced. The new Gulp! Chicken Liver bait from Berkley is
the answer to both ideals ...no more mess and a bait that outfishes real chicken
livers! Fish the Gulp! Chicken Liver on or near the bottom as if it were freshly
cut meat. To rig, simply place one or more livers on a large single hook
on either a slip rig or three-way rig. Some anglers also employ a high/low rig
with two or more baited hooks on one line. Present the bait in that
favorite hole and get ready to set the hook. Unlike real livers, Gulp!
Chicken Livers can be used fish after fish without rerigging. New Berkley Gulp!
Chicken Livers work great on trot lines too.
 Click
to Buy
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REMOVING A
CATFISH FROM THE HOOK
DON'T TOUCH THE FINS! POISONOUS!
Vinegar seems to take away
the sting if you did get hit.
Okay, now you have a sweet catfish floppin' all over and it's got your hook in
it's mouth.
Try to be easy here and take it out without hurting you or the fish. Always
carry some
pliers
(long-nosed) with you for such circumstances, and use them to gently pull
out
the hook while
controlling the fish gently on the ground with a rag (avoiding
any touch
to the fins).
If it's gut-hooked (the hook is swallowed), then just cut the line as close to
the
hook as possible and release it. The hook will rust out, and the fish will be in
better
shape then your pullin' and tuggin' on its intestines.
REMEMBER -
BIG CATFISH HIT THE BAIT EASY.
ALWAYS KEEP CATFISHIN' LINES TIGHT!
IF NIGHT FISHING FOR CATFISH, THEY HEAD
FOR THE SHORE TO FEED!
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TACKLE INFO
When catfishing, just think terminal tackle, heavy rod/reel, and sharp hooks.
You don't need to spend hundreds to have a great day
at any fishing spot. Just pay attention to the quality of these items.
The terminal tackle (swivels, weights, snaps) should all be strong and of
average-large size depending on what you're going after.
The rod and reel should be able to handle a large fish (just look at it and see
if you think a 6lb catfish is going to steal it away from
you if hook it). The rod should be at least 6', and of medium-heavy action.
Avoid ultralights or anything small. Use sturdy equipment.
Get a nice reel that can take a beating. Your favorite will most likely do.
I use a Daiwa Hypercast. Never a missed hook set opportunity. This is a tough
reel and highly recommended if you can find one.
I had to buy parts for mine on eBay. If you're looking for a part,
contact us.
We may have it.
Fishing line...use Stren Magnathin or Triline XT - 12lb
Test.
Or, if you are into the braided ( I am occasionally), get out the
Berkley Fireline.
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CATFISH PHOTOS and
TIPS (from Maryland)
Nothing beats the feeling of
fighting a feisty, big catfish. Most likely, your local reservoir, lake,
or pond have some swimmin' around.
Bring some chicken livers, big treble hooks, and a strong rod/reel combo.
Use 6-8lb monofilament line (or braided),
and cast out
from the banks or a
boat. Early mornings you'll get them right off the shorelines...in the
afternoon
go into coves and pitch around. Evening's you can find them all over.
Very simple rigs catch the biggest cats.
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All of the
fish to the left were caught on chicken livers, or nightcrawlers on trebles.
Bottom fished, and cast out
far from the shore or boat.
To keep your livers on the hook, take a piece of panty-hose (or something
similar) and use that as a casing and hook through it. |
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Catfishing
Tips
