Bert Swope
Here are some Catfish Fishing Tips and Tricks. The first one is to find moving water. This is because giant catfish often prefer murky water because they can sneak up on their prey. Another fishing tip is knowing where to find the best fish. One way to find the best spots is to purchase a fish finder and plot your favorite fishing spots. This tip is perhaps the most important. Finding where the catfish live is essential.
Look For Moving Water
If you’re new to fishing, some helpful catfish fishing tips and tricks include looking for moving bodies of water. Catfish prefer areas where they can hold in deeper water, such as edges of flowing water or where the current is slow and choppy. The bottom of a river is also a prime spot for catfish, so always fish the bottom. In the United States, catfish are abundant in rivers and creeks. They often hang out around bridges, as they tend to be the primary means of crossing rivers.
If you want to catch large, aggressive catfish, look for places where there’s current. Blue cats are often found near a structure, like rocks or logs, and prefer deeper waters than Flatheads, which usually prefer to rest on the bottom. Experiment with the depth of your lake and look for bends and confluences to find big catfish. Once you’ve found an area that offers these conditions, drop your bait upstream to find a deeper area, where the fish are hiding.
Best Catfish Baits
Gizzard shad are widely available and make excellent catfish bait. These gizzard shad have a bony skeleton and are easily hooked with small hooks. They are also effective frozen, and they work nearly as well as live bait. They are popular with blue catfish, flathead, and channel catfish anglers. Shad can be used whole or sliced for hooks.
Live catfish is also a popular bait, especially if you’re fishing in a muddy stream. The scent is very strong, so catfish will often strike it. You can also use deer liver, but it doesn’t work as a bait, as it is more suitable for prebaiting and chumming. If you want to use deer liver, make sure it is fresh because this would be a waste of good meat. Alternatively, you can use any other type of meat, such as a steak, and add garlic to it.
Marshmallows can be used as a catfish bait. The reason is obvious: they smell good! Not only do they make great catfish bait, but they’re a great human snack, too. Whether you’re fishing in a stream, pond, or a pond, you’ll find marshmallows in surplus stores and tackle shops. And don’t forget to check out catfish stink bait.
When to Fish
If you are looking for some tips on how to catch more catfish, the first tip is to know when to fish for them. Catfish tend to be aggressive after cold periods. The cold weather triggers sudden changes in temperature. They are also more active at night. So, it’s best to fish for them early in the fall. During this time, you should target shallow waters or slowly sloped banks. The steep banks may indicate deep holes close to shore.
When to fish for catfish in shallow water? Catfish will be more active during the day. But, they’ll likely be resting during the day. You should be able to spot them during the day, if they’re active. In the evening, they’ll feed throughout the night. They’ll be less active in the morning, so fishing during this time is ideal. You’ll want to wait at least 30 minutes after baiting to get the most out of your catfish catch.
Choose The Best Catfish Rig
While it may seem like catfish rigs are similar to other angling techniques, the differences are not as great as they seem. A catfish rig works well on the bank, and other types of fishing are possible with a suitable rig. The most important thing to consider when choosing a rig for catfish is its ability to catch fish. Some rigs are more effective than others, and some are easier to use than others.
When choosing a rig, the size and design of the hook should be based on the location and type of catfish you plan to catch. For example, if you are going to be fishing in a pond or lake, you will want to avoid a heavy-duty rig. Instead, choose a simpler one that is comfortable to use and replace. The bait is also extremely important to the rig, and there are many types available.
A simple rig is an ideal choice for catching a variety of species of catfish. It can deliver bait to active catfish and hold it while allowing you to cast a longer, deeper line. Simpler rigs have fewer parts, weight, and knots. In addition, they cast further and tangle less frequently than more complex rigs. This can save you a lot of time in the long run.
Use Multiple Lines
There are several types of line that are used for catfishing. Thicker lines are preferred for bass fishing as they are thicker and allow for better bite detection. A monofilament-coated line is recommended for catfish fishing. This material keeps the catfish close when reeling in and protects the hooks. Another important consideration is the line diameter. Thinner lines have more elasticity while thicker ones are stiffer.
The thickness of your fishing line is determined by the spool you use. Brightly colored fishing lines are best for catfishing. They help you see the fish and keep your lines straight. Also, you won’t be distracted by a dangling line in the middle of the ocean or lake. Brightly colored lines won’t frighten the catfish. They’ll also help you see what’s happening in the water.
Choose a fishing line according to the size of the catfish you want to catch. A 12 to 17-pound line will work well for most channel cat waters. However, if you’re targeting big catfish in Red River, you may want to invest in a heavier line. For heavy cover, braided lines are best. You should also use the smallest hook size possible. Smaller hooks penetrate deeper and allow better presentation of the bait.
Try Different Baits
Fresh and frozen baits will outfish each other nearly every day, and they both work well on Sundays. Threadin shad and gizzard shad can be fished whole, but for bigger cats, you can cut them into chunks or strips. Skipjack, a larger variety of bait, is another option. While it is more expensive than shad, skipjack can be fished whole or cut into chunks.
Artificial and natural scents are important, but some artificial scents may not attract the catfish you are after. Choosing a scent-based bait for catfish is a good idea, but you can also try a crawfish imitation if you’d prefer not to be seen. Channel cats have very keen senses of smell, so they use scent to find food. While this approach may seem counterintuitive, it can be effective.
Some cat fishermen swear by a particular bait and use it every day. However, others swear by a particular bait, so make sure to try several varieties before you decide on one. Always remember to keep them in a cooler when not in use. Besides, baits should be fresh and should be stored in a cooler. If possible, store the live bait in a cooler after fishing. This way, you can quickly grab them once you’ve landed them.
Use strongly scented baits
If you want to catch large, predatory catfish, use strongly scented baits. These types of bait are highly effective for attracting these fish. Most plastic fishing worms are oil-based or PVC-based, so they are not very effective at holding water-based scent, and they are too soft for action. That’s where the MaxScent Product line comes in. Berkley has conducted extensive tests and research, and they know these baits work! It is easy to see why. The strong smell attracts the fish to the bait, and that’s how many of these baits have been caught!
Scented baits for catfish fishing are effective year-round, but they will work best in warmer months. In colder water, garlic does not spread as far as cologne. Warm water allows the scent to travel further, attracting more catfish. It’s best to use these baits during the summer, when catfish activity is highest. If you want to catch a huge variety of catfish, scenting is key.
Change Locations Occasionally
When it comes to catfish, a varied habitat is more likely to attract them. Fish in a bad mood may require longer exposure time to their bait. To increase your chances of landing more fish, change locations occasionally while fishing.