CATFISHING TIPS

Catfish are a fun fish to go
after. See if these tips help you...

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Catfishing Tips
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RIGGING METHODS FOR CATFISH
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.
 
conowingo dam catfishing
4lb Catfish - Conowingo Dam, MD
Caught using chicken livers on trebles
 

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.
** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE **

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.


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.

channel catfish
CLICK HERE for MORE CATFISH
and CARP BAIT RECOMMENDATIONS

carp

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


Also Try Using:
Berkley Gulp
Chicken Livers

Buy this Product


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


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!

Buy this ProductBerkley Gulp
Crappie Niblets



The all new
Berkley Gulp! Crappie Nibbles. Biodegradable\
nibbles disperse the famous Berkley Gulp! scent cloud that invites all of
the crappie in the area over for
dinner; your dinner! Berkley Gulp! baits outfish live baits. 

Click to Buy

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.



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.

big catfish loch raven catfish

loch raven catfish
loch raven catfish

loch raven catfish
loch raven catfish
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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