Tips For Catching Catfish

Here are five great tips for catching catfish, Chris has an incredible array of tips on catfishing. Especially if you are just starting out, these are great tips. Keep researching and you will discover the secrets to catching catfish.

How These Tips-On-Catfishing Can Improve Your Fishing Abilities!

If you're a beginner at catfishing, then these tips can help you to catch these cats by knowing the basics first. We talk more about what else is important to catch them in other articles.
5 Catfishing tips
Tip number 1. Know the location where you want to go fishing. Make several visits first to the spot you choose. This will help you to know how large the catfish grow in that particular area. You may be amazed how big these cats can get. Know first the size of catfish and then taking the right equipment sounds so logically. But believe me it is not. A lot of people are caught out because they have not done some research beforehand. It may come from finding their hiding places and where to lower the boat if they want to go fishing by boat.

Tip number 2. Bring appropriate fishing gear. Don't forget to bring different rods, small and big fishing hooks and some different reels on your trip. That way you are prepared for any size of these cats. You can find all of it in your local fishing shop or if you are on a tight budget on Internet. The prices range from very affordable to very expensive. Bear in mind, larger equipment's is more expensive but is advisable for larger catfish.

Tip number 3. Choose the best bait. The primary reason here is simple, you will find a wide variety of baits you can choose from. Grasshoppers are one of them. Throwing some grasshoppers as your main bait, school of catfish will definitely swim towards it. You can also use perch, frogs, Chicken livers or shad. Some of the cats like lures, but not all of them. Some of them are very picky in choosing their food and only want fresh and stinky bait. If you can, make good homemade smelly bait yourself.

Tip number 4. The fresher your baits the better. It's not simply selecting the bait you prefer to use. The question is more on, which bait is suitable for which cat. Maintaining the quality of your bait is also important. When bait is chilled for too long, the smell and flavour is greatly reduced. In other words, frozen baits are not recommended if you have stored them to long. Make your bait the night before, and use that bait straight away.

Tip number 5. Warmer water is better. The temperature of the water is also an important element that can affect your catch. Usually, catfish prefer to live in warmer water. About 70 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit is good. The colder the water, the less active they are. There are different rules if you want to go fishing in the winter. I will come back to that in another article. Different seasons different rules.

There's a lot more to learn about catching these cats but by using these five tips on catfishing can make your fishing trip a successful one. To know more great Catfishing-Tips, visit my website about http://www.catfishanswers.com.

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Here are some more catfishing tips

Want To Know The Best Channel Catfish Bait?

Excellent catfishing tips here from Michael where he explains the best channel catfish bait to use. Implement and discover how easy it can be to start catching a large catfish.

Best Channel Catfish Bait 

If you enjoy fishing for catfish but struggle at times because you aren't sure what is the best bait, then look no further. In this article I will discuss the different available baits and how to improve the chances of catching a large catfish. Catfishing is a very rewarding endeavor but at times, can be frustrating if you are not getting any bites. Let's now take a look at what baits are available.

LIVE/CUT BAIT - Many anglers swear by using live bait. Live bait includes but not limited to shad, bluegills, suckers, shiners, minnows, chubs and herring. If these baits are cut into pieces, they are considered "cut bait". Anglers also utilize frogs, shrimp, grasshoppers, worms and crayfish/crawdads. I would say the most common cut bait would be chicken liver but many individuals find it difficult to keep it on their hook.

DOUGH//DIP/STINK BAITS - Since channel catfish are scavengers, they hardly use their sense of sight and mainly rely on their sense of smell. The stronger odor of the bait, the better the chances they will locate your hook. These products can be purchased or even made at home. It can be time consuming but worth the extra effort. If you don't want to make homemade dough bait, you can find online retailers that are avid anglers and sell their own homemade stink/dip bait. It's basic ingredients include flour, water and different kinds of items to add some odor. Some people use garlic powder/salt, cheese, vanilla extract and anything else that is stinky. After all ingredients are mixed, they are placed in a container and ready to be made into balls for the hook or just applied like a paste on the hook.

ARTIFICIAL BAIT - Some people find handling live or stinky bait disgusting, so they prefer to use artificial bait. That can include hard fishing lures as well but when you talk about fake bait, it usually refers to rubber worms or fish. These are the least of my favorite choices but they do work at times.

FISH ATTRACTANTS - There are many commercially made attractants that can be applied to your existing baits and lures. This substance is usually a more liquid form and can easily be applied with less of a mess. The only issue I have with attractants being used alone, is that the scent washes off pretty quickly.

Remember fishing is an art and there is no guarantee you will catch any fish on your trip. My advice would be to make sure to do some research in regards to the location you are expecting to fish. The reasons I enjoy catfishing is because they put up a good fight once hooked and two, there are so many different baits you can experiment with. Mix and match different baits listed above to see if you can reel in that big one. Making my own homemade catfish bait, I have made a dough bait but also added fish attractant to it. With those two mixed together, they formed an awesome bait that grabbed me a handful of 3 to 4 pounders in an hour.

I hope you found this article useful and will get your creative juices flowing on how to improve your catfish baits in order to catch more catfish. Whatever you do, don't give up. Do a search online for the best channel catfish baits and see what you can find. There are also many videos online of people using these different baits along with their opinions. After all is said and done, it comes down to your personal preference. Happy Fishing!

Visit [http://BestChannelCatfishBait.com] for further information and products.

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What is the 'best' rod to use for Catfishing?

So, what is the 'best' rod to use for catfishing? errrrrr. I will let Dan explain in this excellent article. Catfishing is an art form and the more you practice and research, the better you get! simple really:) I hope you enjoy this article from expert Dan.

Spare the Rod - and Lose the Fish!

I am often asked "What is the 'best' rod to use?", for this or that.

'Best' is a relative term. There are many different types that will get the job done, so a lot of it comes down to what you prefer using. So all I can do is give you my opinions of what I think is the best type for a given situation.

Catfishing covers a lot of territory, only part of which involves rods. And what would work best for Channel Catfish from the bank, would be close to useless for trophy Blue Catfish or Flatheads from a boat. When selecting a rod, bear in mind that even if you are fishing for Channel Cats in the 1-5 lb. range, there is always the chance that you will hook into a monster Blue or Flathead. I'll go from smallest and simplest to large to make it easy to understand the entire scope.

At the bottom end of the spectrum, we have Bullheads, usually caught from shore. For these fun little guys, nothing more than a cane pole and a can of worms is needed. I've passed many an afternoon pulling in these tasty tidbits. What they lack in size, they make up for by being both easy to catch and delicious. While the world record Bullhead was around 8 lbs., most of them you will catch will be under a pound.

If you want to get more technical, almost any ultralight or light action rod will do. You can even fly-fish for them. I am partial to the Zebco Micro-Spin series, but to get the best of both worlds between cane-pole fishing, and ultralight spinning, try a crappie pole in the 12' length. I use B & Ms models a lot for small to medium fish from shore.

For channel catfish in the 1-15 lb. range, I prefer a 6' 9"' Ugly Stick Medium Action Tiger Lite rod. They are short enough to be easy to handle and cast from a boat, and have a good strong backbone for heaving catfish out of cover if needed. They are also incredibly tough. They are light enough to hold comfortably and have a long handle for leverage. The medium action is sensitive enough to detect the sometimes-shy bite of Channel Cats.

They can be cast gently, and/or flipped, making them a good choice for using dough or prepared baits, so as not to sling the bait off the hook. For shore fishing in still to moderate moving water, I prefer an 8' Medium Action Ugly Stick Big Water spinning rod. The extra length comes in handy when shore fishing.

For larger Channel Catfish and Blues from a boat, I prefer the Eagle Claw GRX Series. I know, you're gonna say "But those are Salmon and Steelhead Rods!". That may be the case, but they are also ideal for larger catfish from a boat. They are tough and durable, have a nice long handle for heaving fish when necessary, and have a good, heavy backbone to make heaving large fish possible.
They also have a faster action than most of the heavier rods designed for catfish, making it easier to detect a hit when not using a bait clicker. The faster action is also easier on live-bait when casting.
For larger catfish in the 20-40 lb. range from shore. in both still and fast water, I prefer a 12' Heavy Action Ugly Stick Big Water Casting Rod. They are tough enough to handle the biggest freshwater fish under the most demanding conditions. Your muscles will fail before this rod does! It is also my preferred rod for Gar, Sturgeon (where legal) and Medium saltwater species.

For the true behemoths of the catfish world in excess of 40 lbs., my choice hands-down is Cabelas King Cat E-Glass rods in the 9' length. These are the premium rods for large fish. They have double-footed, double-wrapped and sealed ceramic guides, so they won't come loose when fighting a large fish.
They have stainless-steel hoods on the reel seats, so your reel stays on the rod no matter what. They have the backbone and durability to handle anything you might hook into, up to small submarines! With the proper reel, line and leader, there is nothing these rods couldn't handle.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on catfish fishing here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com

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How To Catch Big Blue Catfish

In this article, Dan will explain how to catch big blue catfish, Dan's tips for catching big catfish are great and if you follow his advice I know it will not be long before you are catching giant blue catfish!

Going For The Big Ones - Tips For Catching Blue Catfish 

Blue catfish are a species of catfish that love to live in the big rivers. Look for them in the Mighty Mississippi, the Rio Grande, anywhere there's a rushing current and too much water to wade across.
These cats are similar to their cousins, the channel cat, but different in a few ways. For one thing, they have a distinct blue coloring (which gives them their name). The back has a bluish tint, and their underbelly is white. But the biggest way you can tell it's a blue, is that they have a forked tail. You won't see any other catfish like this. Other than that, blues are so similar they are often mistaken for channel catfish, and in some parts of the country the locals won't make any distinction between them.
Another thing that sets blues apart is that they are on the big end of the scale. Usually blues are between 20 and 40 pounds, although there are some legendary blue catfish that are well over 100 pounds! If you are an angler in Texas, you've probably seen some 50 pound blues in your time. These are big fish, and that's why we want to target 'em!

Tips on Catching Blue Cats
- First off, bait is always important. Blues, more than any other kind of catfish, love live bait. Take in something that is or once was alive, and the stinkier the better. Blue catfish are known for going after live bait much younger than other fish, so using good, live, stinky bait will get you blues. Blue catfish also have an especially keen sense of smell, so baits that smell funny will work much better than ordinary stuff. Probably your best bet is to use some kind of bait fish, or smaller catfish. Chicken livers, dried chicken blood and nightcrawlers work well too.

- Use a pretty good-sized hook. Anything from 3/0 to 9/0 will work well. Remember, these are pretty big catfish. You'll probably want to cut your bait 6 to 12 inches long.
- Blue catfish are known as fighters. Be ready for a battle! These stubborn fish don't want to come out of that water for any reason whatsoever, so you should make sure you have a good, tough rod to pull him out with. Also, make sure you have a strong line and heavy tackle.
- Blue cats like to stick to cool waters. The best time to go out looking for them is in the fall, from September to December. They'll be out feeding much later than other species of catfish. It depends a little bit on where you live, but definitely fall and early spring are the best times to catch them. In places like Iowa and Idaho, anglers have been known to catch some pretty big blue cats in the winter time.
- Pick a good spot. There are lots of blues hanging out in the bottom of that big river, but pick a little tributary with enough rushing water, and you might have better luck. Look for an area that is deeper than the rest of the river or stream. The best spot is just past a rapid. Here, there will be a calm pool that the rapid empties out into, and all that rushing water plunging into the pool will make a depression at the bottom. This is the perfect spot for blue catfish to be in. Fish these spots, and you'll improve your chances of catching a blue.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on catching blue catfish here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com

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More tips here on how to catch catfish!

Catching Big Catfish Top 3 Methods!

Ever wondered how to catch monster catfish ? Well, Dan gives you three methods in the article below from his vast knowledge and catfish fishing secrets.

 Tips on Catching the Big Ones - The Top 3 Catfishing Methods

There are as many different fishing styles as there are anglers. Just ask anybody, and they'll give you all kinds of advice on what's the best way to catch catfish. Here is a look at the top 3 methods - drift-fishing, juglining, and slipweight.

Drift-Fishing
Drift-fishing is a great method for catching catfish, especially in streams or rivers. This is where you just head out in your boat, cut the engine, and let the wind carry you down stream. When you get a bite, pull in that line, and there you go.
Usually vertical fishing techniques are best for catching cats because they like to hang out way down in the bottom, especially the big flatheads and blues. But, when the water is warm during the summer months, there isn't enough oxygen down there, and they'll come up looking for food. Plus, in a river or stream you're liable to have lots of rocks and things at the bottom, so it can be hard to catch them in the deeper water.

The best place to drop your sinker is anywhere that there is an obstruction in the water. If you have a log jam, some rocks or anything else that stops the current, that's where they'll be. The reason is that the catfish don't want to fight the current when they're looking for food; they'll be feeding where the water isn't moving much. This is where you want to cast your line, where the water is relatively still. Just below a dam is a great place for drift-fishing cats.

It's always a good idea to put out several lines, and bounce them at the bottom. Let the sinker go all the way down until you hit something, then pull it up and move it around. This will attract those cats feeding down there. You have to get a feel for how much you want to move around. On the one hand, if you sit still awhile, you'll have your bait where the cats are for longer. On the other hand, if you drift a bit, you'll have a better chance of cats seeing your bait.

Drift-fishing for cats is much better than sitting still and waiting for them to come along, especially in the late summer months when the cats are coming closer to the surface to feed.

Juglining
You'll see juglining called any variety of names - trotlining, jugfishing, jugging, or anything else with "jug" in the name. This is a method where you string a line across the water with hooks at different intervals hanging down. The reason for the name, is that you can attach a jug or something to either end in order to buoy your line.

You can catch catfish juglining any time of year, but it works best in the springtime, when the water is just starting to warm up. With juglining, you are catching the fish much closer to the surface, so it works best in the spring. However, depending on where you live, juglining can produce great results any time of year. Juglining works well just about anywhere, depending on local catfish and water conditions.

The best way to jugline for cats is to use an "anchored jugline." This means that you attach weights to the bottoms of your lines, and these weights hold your bait in place. You can use anything for a weight, as long as you can tie it on and it will stay. How much weight to use all depends on current conditions, but in general it's better to be too heavy than too light. If your weights have moved while you were gone, they're too light.

One good strategy for juglining is to set out lots of small lines, each with just 3 hooks or so. This way, you can cover different parts of the river, stream or lake where catfish might be feeding. It's just like having a bunch of rods in the water at once!

Juglining is great, but you have to know the rules and regulations before you lay out your lines. There are laws about how long your lines can be, where you can put them, how many hooks, and just about everything else imaginable, and they differ by state.

Slipweight
Most of the time, catfish like to hang around at the bottom of lakes or rivers, and this is why using a slipweight rig is a great way to catch them. A slipweight rig is where you set out a line with multiple hooks that go down to the lake or river floor. You attach a weight to the end, and this helps you control the level of the hooks. The advantage is that you can catch fish that are at different depths.
Slipweight rigging is the best method to use at night. This is when the catfish are coming up to the shallows looking for food. As every catfish angler knows, the big guys creep around the bottom of the lake, and they like to run around at night.
One of the reasons why slipweight rigging works so well is that the fish can't feel the weight of your line. With a good weight on the bottom so that line is tight, a smart cat (and yes, they can sometimes tell!) won't know that your bait's not just cruising the water like he is.
The key here is to keep the weight heavy and the line tight. No weight is too heavy as long as you can slip it on there and it will stay. If your bait moves around, it's too light.
These are the top 3 methods of catching catfish, but there are others out there. It all depends on who you ask. Check out these methods and see what suits you best.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on top catfish fishing methods here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com

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More catfish fishing tips here

white catfish information

Here are some more catfish fishing tips, this time, Robert gives some white catfish information, including bait to use when trying to learn how to catch white catfish.

White Catfish - Learn Some Tips and Info to Help You Catch a Lot More of Them 

White Catfish are mostly tan or chalkish colored over most of their body, with their belly being bone-white or cream colored, but sometimes their upper body area can be more bluish-grey colored, depending upon water conditions such as algae. White catfish are a very pleasant, mellow tasting fish that is a prized catch for many anglers and even non fishermen. They are easy to clean and with a large bone structure they are an easy to eat fish.

White Catfish can survive just fine in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, ponds and even some streams. White Catfish spawn in late spring or early summer, depending upon the water temperature of the area they live in, generally for spawning they like a water temperature of around 68-72 degrees. Like most catfish they tend to feed off of or near the bottom of the water they reside in. These fish tend to become more active for food when it's night time or on very cloudy days, and they tend to stay down deep and become pretty inactive when the sun is out and shining bright.

White Catfish like hanging around underwater debris such as fallen trees, submerged logs and brush, often a favorite fishing spot for them in rivers, is near submerge bridge pilings out in the deeper current. White Catfish seem to love eating a variety of live food, including; smaller live fish such as shiners or large minnows, crayfish, insects such as grasshoppers and crickets that have fallen into the water, worms and nightcrawlers. If you are fishing for White Catfish and you do not have live bait, you may have good luck using a scent bait, such as: cheese, dough balls and blood baits.

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert W. Benjamin has been an avid fishermen for years, in fact in 2010 he went on almost 50 different fishing trips, to ponds, lakes and rivers. Robert enjoys catching everything from panfish such as crappies and bluegill, to bullheads, catfish, eels, pickerel, walleye and numerous other fish. If you want to increase your chances of catching more of your favorite fish, visit the website below:
Fishing Stringer
http://www.fishingstringer.com

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Optimize You Catfish Bait!!

A great article from Robbie here, where he explains when using bait fish such as Shad, Herring, or Mullet the oil is the key! All these catfish fishing secrets are going to help you become a master catfisherman! :)

Simple Steps to Make Your Catfish Bait Work Better

When heading out to the local fishing hole, most people never consider how important their catfish bait is. If not properly handled you could be wasting your time trying to catch a fish. Whether fishing from a boat or the bank, the bait is one of the most important things. There are numerous catfish baits available on the market and in the wild. Follow these simple steps to get the most out of your catfish bait and you may just land the big one!

When using bait fish such as Shad, Herring, or Mullet the oil is the key. Always keep these bait fish fresh. If you are using a bait tank, make sure to add some salt to the water. Salt will help keep the scales on the fish and keep them alive longer. If you are using perch or bream for catfish bait, then all you need is a bait tank with a good oxygen source. Game fish will live much longer than bait fish. Even if you are using cut bait it is still best to keep the bait fish alive if you can. Once you cut a live bait fish you still have all of the smell and the fish will bleed very well. When you cut the fish, make sure to try different cuts. For example try just the head on one rod, a filet on another rod, or chunks of fish on another rod. You may also want to have a rod out with live bait on it, you never know what will catch fish on any given day.

If the catfish bait will be put on ice, then you will need some sandwich bags. No matter how you catch your bait, you will want to immediately place them in a sandwich bag and place them on ice. The reason for the bag is to keep any unusual odors off of the bait fish. This method will also keep the baits natural oils from draining off. If bait is easy to catch where you are fishing, then it is best to catch enough to last a couple of hours. This will allow you to have your favorite catfish bait as fresh as possible. Always remember to freshen your catfish bait every thirty minutes or so, in order to keep the freshest bait possible in the water at all times. Catfish can be very picky when it comes to their bait choice sometimes.

There is nothing like the feel of a catfish tugging on your line waiting for you to set the hook! Once you decide to go fishing make sure you are prepared, stop by my site where I try to update often and help you CATCH MORE FISH [http://www.moonlightfishing.com]!

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Another article here http://catfishfishingtips.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/best-bait-to-use-for-catfish.html

Catfishing Rigs How And When To Use These Three Options

Having the best catfishing rigs will dramitaccly increase your chances of landing a big catch! In this article, Keith gives 3 simple but solid options that are sure to help with your catfishing.

Catfishing Rigs - 3 Simple Options And How And When To Use Them

Catfishing rigs are simply the way you present your bait to the fish. There are a number of ways of tying on hooks and weights to your fishing line. Typically the kind of water you are fishing dictates which rig is best under the conditions. Moving water versus still water. Shallow water versus deep water. A rocky bottom versus a muddy bottom. In this article we will examine 3 simple options and when and how they work best.

The simplest and probably most common setup involves tying a snap swivel to the end of the line. The snap swivel is opened and a weight with a ring in it is put on the snap portion. A leader is either tied directly to the snap or the leader loop is placed on the snap. The snap is closed before casting.
This is a good setup for fishing water that is not moving too swiftly or slow drift fishing on soft bottoms. It can be fished in shallow or deep water. The weight will take the rig to the bottom and keep it there. The bait will typically lie on the bottom. This is a good place for the bait as catfish are typically scavengers and will be searching the bottom for food. In swift moving water the bait could be buried in moving mud, sand or silt and not be found by the catfish.

Possibly the next most common rig is using a sliding sinker. The main line is put through an egg sinker or standard sinker then a barrel swivel is tied to the end of the line. A leader is tied to the opposite end of the barrel swivel. This setup, when a fish eats your bait, allows the main line to go through the weight offering less resistance than the prior example. Oftentimes the fish will release the bait if it feels the resistance of the weight as it swims off.

A good way to keep the bait off the bottom is by using a 3-way-rig or dropper loop setup. Using a 3-way swivel is the most common. One ring of the swivel is tied to the main line. A leader for the weight is tied to what becomes the bottom ring of the swivel. And a leader for the hook is tied onto what becomes the center ring. A dropper loop is the same idea without the need for a swivel. You can vary the distance the bait stays off the bottom by adjusting the length of the weight leader and the length of the hook leader.

Tackle while catfishing should be medium heavy to heavy. Use a longer rod, 7 to 10 feet, for longer casts from shore and power to fight the fish. A minimum of 25 pound test main line and 25 pound fluorocarbon hook leader is adequate for smaller fish. Lighter line can be used for the weight leader when using the 3-way-rig or dropper loop. This allows the weight to break off if stuck in rocks or debris with a fish on.

Weights will vary in size depending on depth and current. Hooks should be larger and heavier gauge wire due to the big tough mouths of catfish. Circle hooks have become a favorite among many fishermen because they are designed to come out of the fish's throat and penetrate the side of their jaw. Treble hooks can be used for dough balls and manufactured baits.
Catfish can get pretty big and will put up a good fight. Even the small ones. Even heavier line and hooks should be used if you know there are large fish in the area. You do not want to break off a trophy fish by using too light of line. These catfishing rigs are time-tested to work in many situations. You may have a favorite you use on the waters you fish. Try experimenting with different setups when fishing in current and when there is no moving water.

Keith Abraham is a catfishing expert. For more great information on catfishing rigs, visit http://www.CatFishinginponds.com.

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Having The Right Catfishing Bait Is Everything!!!!

Obviously having the right bait makes all the difference when trying to catch catfish. Here Jeremy gives some great tips and advice on using the right bait.

Catfishing Bait: Why It Is Important For Fishing

The most important aspect to fishing for catfish is using the proper catfish bait. Without the correct knowledge or the right type of bait you would just be sitting there all day without a single catch. That is why it is important to choose the perfect bait.
Only then you can be sure of a good deal of catches at the end of the day. You could go to many professional fishermen for their expert opinions on bait. Many anglers like using live bait to catch their fish. They say it seems natural to the fish. Then again, many others prefer to use home-made fish bait to get their catch.

What the pros do
Many fishermen have their own recipe for making homemade catfishing bait. They normally use bread dough as the main ingredient. Dough alone could make nice bait, but it does not always work. You could try adding different essences to it. Try vanilla of maybe the smell of fish. The scent alone will do enough to attract the catfish and make it go for the bait.
You could try a mixture for different things like dough, cut meat, chicken liver etc. to make small chunks and then use them as bait. This works well and catfish bite to it. There are doubts whether it works as well as live bait would, but it is worth a try. If you have positive results, you could try different variations and create your own recipe for homemade catfish bait.
Many anglers advise using cheese as catfishing bait. They say cheese works great for catching large catfish, and it is cost efficient too. Almost all types of cheese work great as catfish bait, but many fishermen swear by cheddar cheese. You can cut chunks of cheese beforehand, and then leave them to dry a little so they will get tough. This will help keep them attached to the hooks for far longer and prevent the catfish from stealing them.

"Stink baits"
Apart from using solid cheese as bait, you could add it to the mixture as well. This is used to make the so-called "stink baits." There are different recipes for different types of stink baits. Though they stink a lot and are harder to use, they can potentially attract larger catfish. Many people like to use these stink baits as you can make it easily at home; it costs less than traditional baits and has good results. You could give it a try. Others like to use simple chicken liver as baits. The problem with livers, though, is that they don't stick to the hook. Dry them first to solve that problem.
You could also use plastic baits, but that might be pushing it. Though catfish are attracted by their sense of smell, they tend to notice the difference between plastic and edible bait. They might not care about the different nuances if you make your own or use some live or "stinky" as your catfishing bait though, so be creative and remember to have fun.

Jeremy Jefferson is a catfishing expert. For more information on catfishing bait, visit [http://www.catfishinggenius.com].

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here are some more great catfish bait tips

Catfishing Rods - Which To Use!

Catfishing tackle is a huge subject, so in this article Dan covers which catfish rods to use. There are some great catfish rod deals online, so I hope you are more able to make a decision after reading Dan's article on Catfish Fishing rods.

Which Catfish Rods to Use

If you are planning a trip to catch one of the most sought after fish today catfish, be sure to bring along the right type of rod for the job. The good news is that there are various types available to fit just about any style, size and design that fits with the way that you like to fish.
Both inexperienced and advanced anglers will be able to catch catfish without a problem, assuming they have the right equipment to do so. There is a huge selection in the market place, including very high end products and very low end fishing rods. Your best bet is to stay around the middle of the price range whenever your budget allows for it. What else goes into selecting catfish rods?
What Are You Catching?

Depending on where you will fish for catfish, select your catfish rod based on the overall size and type of fish that you are looking for. If you are unsure of what the water can offer, find a reference on the web regarding that specific location. Why does this matter? Before purchasing your fishing rod, you must take into consideration the size of the fish it will haul in for you. Is the rod large and strong enough?

Consider Examples
One sure way to find the type of fishing rod that you need for catfish is to compare the options available. One example of a catfish rod is the Berkley Reflex 2nd Generation. This is an inexpensive rod at around $20 to $25.

It offers three casting and three spinning options for you to use. It will hold up to 40-pound test as well as eight ounces of bait of your choice. You may notice that this rod is quite different from the original version, and with good reason. To reduce the price on it, the manufacturer completely changed the look of the rod. They made it much stiffer and reduced the number of rod size options available. It does not offer scotchlite on the guide wraps either.

On a good note, they did improve on the cork handle for this particular rod. In order to use this rod, though, count on only fishing for large Blue catfish or Flatheads, anything else will not be done justice with this rod.

Another catfish rod that you may want to consider is The Boss, which is from Jim Moyer's line. It provides four unique casting options. It is part of his specialty series of catfish rods including the Berkley E Cat. The Boss offers a high-grade E Glass design and has a cork handle with trigger. It includes a reel seat that is heavy duty and dependable in the long run. There are two smaller rods here, which offer titanium glides.

The two larger rods are made with stainless steel glides. Each of these models offers their own rating, but the largest can take up to a 40-pound test. You can enjoy using the larger rods for both mid size and larger rivers.

They are great for use with Flatheads coming out of the timbers, too. If you invest in the smaller models, which are good choices for many, you will want to use them for channel catfish and small Blues, in particular. For this type of specialty quality, you are going to spend more.
These catfish rods will run you about $65 to $70 on the market currently. Yet, the quality that you get from them is worth it for the angler that will use it often. You will appreciate the extra investment if you are a true angler.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on catfish rods here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com

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Best Bait To Catch Catfish Tips

Some great tips on finding the best bait for catfish. There are lots of people giving advice on the best bait to catch catfish. I suggest you research as much as you can and then the only way you will really find the best bait, is through trying different peoples advice. Here in this article below, Craig gives some great catfish fishing tips regarding bait.

The Best in Fishing Bait For Catfish best bait to catch catfish

Fishing is a hobby men and a lot of women enjoy, but having the right fishing bait for catfish is a very important ingredient to bringing home all those delicious mouth-watering catfish for an outdoor fish fry with your friends and family. Knowing which bait works the best for catfish will give you a fishing adventure you'll remember for years to come.
Dead minnows are a wonderful bait to use when fishing for catfish. Live minnows tend to attract a lot of bass and that can interfere with the catfish you're after today. Catfish really don't care, live or dead, they'll go after either so save the live ones for a day of bass fishing. Use the dead minnows with a bobber system to suspend them a foot or so under water especially in the summer and spring months and in shallow water.

Sardines, anchovies and shad are other favorite catfish baits. These work well in water that is deep and used more when you are drift fishing. Another favorite fishing bait for catfish is crawfish, this is a delicacy for them. The meat from the tail works best but crawfish can be used as live bait as well but the pinchers need to be removed if you're fishing on the bottom or use a bobber rig to keep the crawfish off the bottom.

Shrimp is another catfish delight. These should be shelled before being hooked as the catfish prefer the shelled shrimp. The larger shrimp can be cut into small chunks while the smaller ones can be placed on your hook whole. Some people soak the shrimp in garlic oil, vanilla, anise oil, or any number of other things to add another scent to bait shrimp.

Night crawlers work very well too, catfish love worms. Worms are easily found at any bait and tackle shops, especially from the spring months into the winter. When you bait your hook with a worm make sure you don't leave a long end hanging lose because a catfish will suck the worm off the hook before you know what happened. Place only enough weight on your line to allow your worm and line to drift naturally along the bottom with the current for the best results.
Chicken livers or gizzards are also great bait for catfish. Make sure they are fresh and not frozen. Place these on your hook and just wait for the catfish to come calling. The only draw back to using chicken gizzards or livers is they come off your hook easy after they get wet. It's best to use a treble hook so you'll get a little more time out of this bait.
There are also some lures and prepared fishing bait for catfish on the market today. Your best bet with these is to find someone who has had a lot of experience with lures and prepared baits and try those that have been proven to work. The bait shop owner can give you some tips on what's been working lately and recommend some brands to try.

You can find more information about fly fishing [http://www.fishingholereport.com/] at our site.

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Catfish Noodling Guides Part 2

Here is the second part of our articles around catfish noodling guides. Although good catfish noodling can be productive, noodling for catfish can also be dangerous. Here Bradley gives some solid advice for anyone looking at noodling.

Noodling For Catfish 

Noodling has been around for a long time. It started when fishermen started noticing that big catfish don't swim around much, but live in deep holes or under a lot of cover. The art of noodling has been passed down from generation to generation, but only in the past fifteen years has been considered a serious sport
.
Most noodlers do not go at it alone. There is a real risk of drowning if you stick your arm in a big one's mouth. Catfish caught by noodling can weigh up to around sixty pounds. The catfish latches on and tries to get away. Noodlers report not being able to get their arm or hand out and end up in a struggle with the fish to get back to the surface. This is why some noodlers wear scuba gear when they dive. Noodlers generally have a spotter at the surface when they go down for a catfish. The spotter will help them out of the water, help secure the fish and help retrieve the hand.
Noodling is easiest in water that is shallow or at least not over your head. Spring and summer are the best times to find catfish in their nests. They spawn when the water gets up to around 70 degrees or higher. Once they lay their eggs, they do not often leave their nests.

Noodlers will generally test a hole before they stick their hand in it. They will prod with a stick to figure out if it is a catfish in there, or something else, like a turtle or a snake. If it is a catfish, they will sometimes create a barricade around the hole, lessening the fish's chance of escape. They will use logs, rocks or other people to stand close, trapping the fish in the desired area.
Catfish usually bite to defend their nests. This makes noodling a little easier. Sometimes they will just nip a finger and you will need to try to cram in your hand to grab it behind the gills. Be prepared, because catfish do have teeth. They also will spin once they have latched on. The teeth are small, but they can draw blood and break through the skin. Some noodlers use gloves, but most see gloves, small hooks or using scuba equipment as cheating.

If you want to improve your noodling success, you can create a habitat where big catfish will want to spawn. Fish attractors, such as Honey Hole Trees or Shrubs, are very useful. They create an area where catfish feel safe. They are inclined to hunt and spawn around this type of cover, increasing the population of catfish and increasing the size of the catfish. Natural cover can be more dangerous for noodlers because of the constant threat of snags. Check with your state before you go noodling, because it is illegal in some areas. Whether you find a hot bed of nests or use fish attractors to lure in the big guys, you're sure to have a great time noodling with your friends.

Brad Metzler is the owner of Honey Hole Tree Inc., an industry leader in the production and sale of fish attractors like Honey Hole Trees and Turtle Traps. Honey Hole Tree Inc. also consists of Lake and Pond Management Professionals that are dedicated to finding the most economical solutions and strategies for your fish attractant and stocking needs.

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World Record Noodling Catfish

Catfish Noodling Guides Part 1

Noodling for catfish? There are many catfish noodling guides available. Some good catfish noodling information is all you need, here in this first part of our guide, Ronald gives some great catfish fishing tips.

Have You Had a Go at Noodling Yet? No! You Desperately Need Some Quality Catfishing Information!

The first piece of catfishing information you need to know is that over 2500 species of Catfish occupy the waters of the world. These eel like, scale less fresh water fish can be divided into many families and genres. Although their native waters boast a greater number and kind of species, a considerable population of catfish has been introduced into the Pacific and the European waters.
Catfish have the widest range of size. The smallest species of catfish gain sexual maturity at only 1cm, an average catfish may grow up to 1.2 to 1.6 m, whereas the largest recorded size of a catfish is around 2.5 m in length and over a 100kg. The bigger and older catfish is always hard to find and difficult to subdue.

Catfish are named after their distinguishing barbells, which bring to mind a cat's whiskers. These long barbells hang from around the mouth area and exist in pairs, helping the creature by heightening its awareness of the surrounding. The protrusions around the mouth play a vital role when the Cat is out hunting in the murky waters. Although very similar to a feline's whiskers, they are far from decorative. The long tactile barbells of catfishes actually carry external taste buds and allow the fish to 'taste' the waters.

Another distinctive anatomical feature of a catfish is its scale less state. Most Catfish are structured with a strong and hollow leading ray which is set on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Whenever the Catfish is irritated, annoyed or frightened it automatically locks these spines into place and prepares to inflict maximum damage to its foe.

A stinging protein is produced in the process by epidermal gland cells that can be fatal to a human. Only one Catfish species namely; the electric catfish lacks the fin spine, but this shortcoming is more than made up by the existence of electrogenic organs. These potent arms are able to send out electric shocks of up to 350 volts and are crucial for warding off predators.

If the long waiting hours before the catch are not your thing, you can try your 'hand' at noodling. For your information, noodling is a catfishing practice which originated in South America and uses bare hands to catch the prey. Also known as catfisting, grabbing, stumping, tickling and gurgling, noodling has taken fishing to a completely new level.

The technique requires invading a catfish hideout and putting in your hand for 'grabs'. Once a catfish bites into the noodler's hand it doesn't let go easily giving the noodler plenty of time to fish it out. Most noodlers prefer to go noodling with a team of spotters who play a major role in alleviating the dangers posed by noodling.

The first stage of noodling requires careful study of the catfish locations. When the angler is convinced of the existence of catfish in certain shallows, they wade in carrying prodding sticks. The catfish attacks and bites the noodler's hand, when this happens, the noodler has to pull the fish out of the water. This sounds a lot easier than it actually is. The fish being in its element always put up a fight, so the noodler has to be careful not to get stung in the process.

Noodling is an extreme sport and calls for fishing teams, generally known as spotters. The spotters assist the noodler with their catch and basically work as safety measures in the face of hidden yet inevitable dangers. Wrestling a hefty Flathead cat in its own play ground is no child's play and there have been many near death incidents.

RONALD SHARP (or Ron Sharp) is a catfishing expert.
For more great information on catfishing, visit [http://www.catfishingcatch.com].

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world record noodling catfish

Catfishing Tips For Beginners and Experienced

When George gives advice, everyone listens! Here are some awesome catfishing tips for beginners and experienced anglers alike. These catfish fishing techniques are proven, so grab a coffee and take note :)

12 Catfishing Tips That Work In Summer and Winter, Learn Channel and Pond Techniques

Learning the right cat-fishing techniques can come in handy when you are out fishing. Here are a few tips that will help you catch a good catfish on a summer day.
1. If you are fishing in a lake or a river in summers, make sure that you attach weights your line. The summer heat forces the catfish to hide at the bottom, in deeper pools, or under the logs and other debris. Also try fishing in flooded banks with vegetation. You will likely catch a big catfish or two hiding there.
2. Try drift fishing. The wind might take you to a spot where the catfish are feeding.
3. Trolling for catfish also works. Make sure you use more than two lines when you are trolling.
4. Nights are the best times of the day for fishing for big cats. The flathead especially come out during the cooler hours of the night.
5. Always carry more than two kinds of bait when fishing for channel cats.
6. Flathead and Blue catfishes prefer live bait to prepared bait. Bait your lines with shad or bluegills if you want to fish for bigger catfishes.

If you are catfishing in winter, you will need to look in different areas of the lake or the river you are fishing in.
1. The water is cooler in winters so the catfish usually hide under the vegetation in the shallower end of the water body. Look under trees and flooded vegetation covers.
2. Do not make too much noise bringing your equipment. You might scare away the catfish. Also keep the conversations to a minimum.
3. Buy a really long rod for cat fishing in winter. This way you will be able to drop the line close to the catfish without scaring them away.
4. Bring warm mittens. Also bring warm clothes in adequate supply. It is also good to fish with friends.
5. You will likely need bigger baits to ensnare the catfish in winters.
6. Try to keep your line steady and not move it too much.

Cat fishing in fall and spring is relatively easy. All you need is a good supply of bait. Find the spot where the fish are feeding and you can bait at least a few decent sized fish while you are there. Usually the fish hang out in places where the flood water enters the lake or the river. A creek is the right place to look for catfish. If you don't get a bite in 15 minutes, you should move to a different place. You can also go trolling or drift fishing in spring or fall.

It behooves the fishing enthusiast to know everything about the water body he is fishing in. I suggest that you spend at least an hour studying the location you can set up shop in. If you find the right place for fishing, that is, a place where the cats usually hide, you can get a bigger bite. If you are out to fish for bigger cats like blue catfish and Flathead, you can hit the jackpot in winters when these fish are easier to catch.

People ask me. What if this recipe will not work for me? What else can be used to catch a catfish. Click the link and discover techniques and baits secrets [http://www.catfishingpoint.com] used by pros. Do not take my word, try it. It works. Talk to you soon.

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Some great catfish fishing tips here