How to Catch Catfish Step By Step

 Embarking on the quest to catch catfish is an exhilarating adventure that promises both challenge and reward. These formidable fish are not only a delight to reel in but also make for a delectable meal. Whether you're a novice angler or looking to refine your skills, this guide will navigate you through the essentials of catfishing, ensuring you're well-prepared for a successful outing.

1. Gear Up for Success

Selecting the right equipment is crucial. Opt for a medium-heavy to heavy power rod paired with a reel equipped with a bait-runner feature. This setup is ideal for handling the strength and size of catfish. A bait-runner allows you to hear when a catfish takes the bait, giving you an advantage in setting the hook promptly.

2. Master the Art of Baiting

Catfish are known for their diverse palate. Effective baits include live options like nightcrawlers, minnows, and shad, as well as prepared baits such as chicken liver and stinkbait. The strong scent of these baits is particularly effective in attracting catfish, especially in murky waters.

3. Choose the Perfect Fishing Spot

Catfish are often found in deep holes, river bends, and areas with submerged structures like logs or rocks. They prefer slow-moving or still waters with muddy bottoms. Fishing during dawn or dusk can increase your chances, as catfish are more active during these times.

4. Rigging for Success

A simple yet effective rig for catfishing is the Carolina Rig. Slide a ½ oz weight onto your main line, tie on a swivel, attach a leader to the other end of the swivel, and finish with a 2/0 circle hook. This setup allows your bait to move naturally with the current, enticing catfish to strike.

5. Patience and Technique

Once your line is cast, patience is key. Catfishing often involves waiting, but the thrill of the catch makes it worthwhile. When you feel a bite, give the fish a moment to take the bait fully before setting the hook with a firm upward motion. Maintain steady pressure and reel in smoothly to land your catch.

6. Safety First

Be cautious when handling catfish, as they have sharp spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins that can cause injury. Using a net to land the fish and handling them with care will help prevent accidents.

With the right gear, bait, and techniques, you're well on your way to experiencing the excitement of catfishing. Each trip offers the opportunity to hone your skills and enjoy the great outdoors. So, gather your equipment, head to your chosen fishing spot, and embrace the adventure that awaits.

Here's a really good article on catfishing at night 

Rules For Fishing Catfish at Night!

 An excellent article from catfishing expert Bob Alexander.

The sound of the tug boat chugging up the river, pushing heavily laden barges filled with grain, quieted the tree frogs and crickets that shared the night with me as I watched the tip of my catfish rod jerk feverishly.

After the initial tug on the line, all movement of my fishing pole stopped. I considered this for a moment and then decided to leave the bait where it was, if there was any left on the hook. It was too pleasant an evening to exert the energy it takes to pull the hook and sinker out of the river bed, re-bait and sling it back out into the deep dark water.

My brother, cousin and I were all sitting in our camp chairs as we listened to the night sounds resonating softly against the gently moving Tennessee River, halfway between Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. The day had been blistering hot, but at 9:00 in the evening, the temperature was pleasantly cooled by a Southeasterly breeze up from the Gulf of Mexico.

In order to thoroughly enjoy a night fishing experience such as ours, it is imperative that one follow a few simple rules designed to make an evening fishing trip pleasant.

Let there be light! This is a must for night time fishing. Bring your camp lantern or a set of construction lights that operate off the cigarette lighter in your car. Stumbling around in the dark on the banks of a river or lake can be hazardous to your health.

Make sure that you are able to tolerate your fishing companions during stretches of fishing inactivity. Usually the best fishing companions are those who keep their mouths shut and enjoy the serenity of silence; but they're hard to find.

With the advances in technology available today, it doesn't make sense not to bring along a cell phone. Leave it in the car or truck to use in case of an emergency. Don't be tempted to call someone simply to chat during a lull in the fishing action, unless you have just caught a whopper of a fish and want to brag a little to a friend.

Bring a good portable camp chair. Better still; a chaise lounge would be preferable for a relaxing evening. The only drawback to this is when reacting to a strike by a fish, it's difficult to extricate yourself from the chair fast enough to set the hook. It can be embarrassing to fall on your face while the catch of the night is swimming down the river with your rod and reel in tow.

You will need a cooler, filled with ice, soft drinks and water. My years of experience in leisure activities have taught me that river water and alcoholic beverages just do not mix, whether you are sitting on the bank or fishing from a boat. My advice is to leave them at home.

Nothing works up an appetite like sitting in the dark on the bank of a river, chatting with pleasurable company about anything that comes to mind. Usually though, talk is confined to old fish stories about the big ones caught and the giants that got away. It makes you hungry!

No one really wants a sandwich when they're fishing at night; they're hungry for something more stable, like hot dogs. Charcoal is a must for cooking hot dogs. Unless you've brought along a camp stove, hamburgers or steaks are more trouble than they're worth. Besides, the smell of catfish bait on your hands doesn't seem to linger on hot dogs the way it does on fresh meat.

Remember to bring the bug spray! Unless the wind is blowing gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away from you, insect repellent is a must!

Last on the list of necessary equipment to take on an evening fishing trip are rods, reels, sinkers and hooks. Cat fish seem to like stinky baits so that's what I use. When I was younger, I would fish with chicken liver, shad guts and any other bait that had been left out in the sun to ripen. Today I just go to one of the large tackle stores and buy prepackaged soft baits that smell just as bad as the ones I remember from my youth.

Fishing at night is fun. I've never claimed to be an expert in catching catfish, just an expert in fishing for them.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:

[http://www.bluemarlinbob.com]

[http://www.redfishbob.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bob_Alexander/51033


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2653918

The sound of the tug boat chugging up the river, pushing heavily laden barges filled with grain, quieted the tree frogs and crickets that shared the night with me as I watched the tip of my catfish rod jerk feverishly.

After the initial tug on the line, all movement of my fishing pole stopped. I considered this for a moment and then decided to leave the bait where it was, if there was any left on the hook. It was too pleasant an evening to exert the energy it takes to pull the hook and sinker out of the river bed, re-bait and sling it back out into the deep dark water.

My brother, cousin and I were all sitting in our camp chairs as we listened to the night sounds resonating softly against the gently moving Tennessee River, halfway between Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. The day had been blistering hot, but at 9:00 in the evening, the temperature was pleasantly cooled by a Southeasterly breeze up from the Gulf of Mexico.

In order to thoroughly enjoy a night fishing experience such as ours, it is imperative that one follow a few simple rules designed to make an evening fishing trip pleasant.

Let there be light! This is a must for night time fishing. Bring your camp lantern or a set of construction lights that operate off the cigarette lighter in your car. Stumbling around in the dark on the banks of a river or lake can be hazardous to your health.

Make sure that you are able to tolerate your fishing companions during stretches of fishing inactivity. Usually the best fishing companions are those who keep their mouths shut and enjoy the serenity of silence; but they're hard to find.

With the advances in technology available today, it doesn't make sense not to bring along a cell phone. Leave it in the car or truck to use in case of an emergency. Don't be tempted to call someone simply to chat during a lull in the fishing action, unless you have just caught a whopper of a fish and want to brag a little to a friend.

Bring a good portable camp chair. Better still; a chaise lounge would be preferable for a relaxing evening. The only drawback to this is when reacting to a strike by a fish, it's difficult to extricate yourself from the chair fast enough to set the hook. It can be embarrassing to fall on your face while the catch of the night is swimming down the river with your rod and reel in tow.

You will need a cooler, filled with ice, soft drinks and water. My years of experience in leisure activities have taught me that river water and alcoholic beverages just do not mix, whether you are sitting on the bank or fishing from a boat. My advice is to leave them at home.

Nothing works up an appetite like sitting in the dark on the bank of a river, chatting with pleasurable company about anything that comes to mind. Usually though, talk is confined to old fish stories about the big ones caught and the giants that got away. It makes you hungry!

No one really wants a sandwich when they're fishing at night; they're hungry for something more stable, like hot dogs. Charcoal is a must for cooking hot dogs. Unless you've brought along a camp stove, hamburgers or steaks are more trouble than they're worth. Besides, the smell of catfish bait on your hands doesn't seem to linger on hot dogs the way it does on fresh meat.

Remember to bring the bug spray! Unless the wind is blowing gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away from you, insect repellent is a must!

Last on the list of necessary equipment to take on an evening fishing trip are rods, reels, sinkers and hooks. Cat fish seem to like stinky baits so that's what I use. When I was younger, I would fish with chicken liver, shad guts and any other bait that had been left out in the sun to ripen. Today I just go to one of the large tackle stores and buy prepackaged soft baits that smell just as bad as the ones I remember from my youth.

Fishing at night is fun. I've never claimed to be an expert in catching catfish, just an expert in fishing for them.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:

[http://www.bluemarlinbob.com]

[http://www.redfishbob.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bob_Alexander/51033

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2653918

The sound of the tug boat chugging up the river, pushing heavily laden barges filled with grain, quieted the tree frogs and crickets that shared the night with me as I watched the tip of my catfish rod jerk feverishly.

After the initial tug on the line, all movement of my fishing pole stopped. I considered this for a moment and then decided to leave the bait where it was, if there was any left on the hook. It was too pleasant an evening to exert the energy it takes to pull the hook and sinker out of the river bed, re-bait and sling it back out into the deep dark water.

My brother, cousin and I were all sitting in our camp chairs as we listened to the night sounds resonating softly against the gently moving Tennessee River, halfway between Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. The day had been blistering hot, but at 9:00 in the evening, the temperature was pleasantly cooled by a Southeasterly breeze up from the Gulf of Mexico.

In order to thoroughly enjoy a night fishing experience such as ours, it is imperative that one follow a few simple rules designed to make an evening fishing trip pleasant.

Let there be light! This is a must for night time fishing. Bring your camp lantern or a set of construction lights that operate off the cigarette lighter in your car. Stumbling around in the dark on the banks of a river or lake can be hazardous to your health.

Make sure that you are able to tolerate your fishing companions during stretches of fishing inactivity. Usually the best fishing companions are those who keep their mouths shut and enjoy the serenity of silence; but they're hard to find.

With the advances in technology available today, it doesn't make sense not to bring along a cell phone. Leave it in the car or truck to use in case of an emergency. Don't be tempted to call someone simply to chat during a lull in the fishing action, unless you have just caught a whopper of a fish and want to brag a little to a friend.

Bring a good portable camp chair. Better still; a chaise lounge would be preferable for a relaxing evening. The only drawback to this is when reacting to a strike by a fish, it's difficult to extricate yourself from the chair fast enough to set the hook. It can be embarrassing to fall on your face while the catch of the night is swimming down the river with your rod and reel in tow.

You will need a cooler, filled with ice, soft drinks and water. My years of experience in leisure activities have taught me that river water and alcoholic beverages just do not mix, whether you are sitting on the bank or fishing from a boat. My advice is to leave them at home.

Nothing works up an appetite like sitting in the dark on the bank of a river, chatting with pleasurable company about anything that comes to mind. Usually though, talk is confined to old fish stories about the big ones caught and the giants that got away. It makes you hungry!

No one really wants a sandwich when they're fishing at night; they're hungry for something more stable, like hot dogs. Charcoal is a must for cooking hot dogs. Unless you've brought along a camp stove, hamburgers or steaks are more trouble than they're worth. Besides, the smell of catfish bait on your hands doesn't seem to linger on hot dogs the way it does on fresh meat.

Remember to bring the bug spray! Unless the wind is blowing gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away from you, insect repellent is a must!

Last on the list of necessary equipment to take on an evening fishing trip are rods, reels, sinkers and hooks. Cat fish seem to like stinky baits so that's what I use. When I was younger, I would fish with chicken liver, shad guts and any other bait that had been left out in the sun to ripen. Today I just go to one of the large tackle stores and buy prepackaged soft baits that smell just as bad as the ones I remember from my youth.

Fishing at night is fun. I've never claimed to be an expert in catching catfish, just an expert in fishing for them.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:

[http://www.bluemarlinbob.com]

[http://www.redfishbob.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bob_Alexander/51033

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2653918

The sound of the tug boat chugging up the river, pushing heavily laden barges filled with grain, quieted the tree frogs and crickets that shared the night with me as I watched the tip of my catfish rod jerk feverishly.

After the initial tug on the line, all movement of my fishing pole stopped. I considered this for a moment and then decided to leave the bait where it was, if there was any left on the hook. It was too pleasant an evening to exert the energy it takes to pull the hook and sinker out of the river bed, re-bait and sling it back out into the deep dark water.

My brother, cousin and I were all sitting in our camp chairs as we listened to the night sounds resonating softly against the gently moving Tennessee River, halfway between Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. The day had been blistering hot, but at 9:00 in the evening, the temperature was pleasantly cooled by a Southeasterly breeze up from the Gulf of Mexico.

In order to thoroughly enjoy a night fishing experience such as ours, it is imperative that one follow a few simple rules designed to make an evening fishing trip pleasant.

Let there be light! This is a must for night time fishing. Bring your camp lantern or a set of construction lights that operate off the cigarette lighter in your car. Stumbling around in the dark on the banks of a river or lake can be hazardous to your health.

Make sure that you are able to tolerate your fishing companions during stretches of fishing inactivity. Usually the best fishing companions are those who keep their mouths shut and enjoy the serenity of silence; but they're hard to find.

With the advances in technology available today, it doesn't make sense not to bring along a cell phone. Leave it in the car or truck to use in case of an emergency. Don't be tempted to call someone simply to chat during a lull in the fishing action, unless you have just caught a whopper of a fish and want to brag a little to a friend.

Bring a good portable camp chair. Better still; a chaise lounge would be preferable for a relaxing evening. The only drawback to this is when reacting to a strike by a fish, it's difficult to extricate yourself from the chair fast enough to set the hook. It can be embarrassing to fall on your face while the catch of the night is swimming down the river with your rod and reel in tow.

You will need a cooler, filled with ice, soft drinks and water. My years of experience in leisure activities have taught me that river water and alcoholic beverages just do not mix, whether you are sitting on the bank or fishing from a boat. My advice is to leave them at home.

Nothing works up an appetite like sitting in the dark on the bank of a river, chatting with pleasurable company about anything that comes to mind. Usually though, talk is confined to old fish stories about the big ones caught and the giants that got away. It makes you hungry!

No one really wants a sandwich when they're fishing at night; they're hungry for something more stable, like hot dogs. Charcoal is a must for cooking hot dogs. Unless you've brought along a camp stove, hamburgers or steaks are more trouble than they're worth. Besides, the smell of catfish bait on your hands doesn't seem to linger on hot dogs the way it does on fresh meat.

Remember to bring the bug spray! Unless the wind is blowing gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away from you, insect repellent is a must!

Last on the list of necessary equipment to take on an evening fishing trip are rods, reels, sinkers and hooks. Cat fish seem to like stinky baits so that's what I use. When I was younger, I would fish with chicken liver, shad guts and any other bait that had been left out in the sun to ripen. Today I just go to one of the large tackle stores and buy prepackaged soft baits that smell just as bad as the ones I remember from my youth.

Fishing at night is fun. I've never claimed to be an expert in catching catfish, just an expert in fishing for them.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:

[http://www.bluemarlinbob.com]

[http://www.redfishbob.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bob_Alexander/51033

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2653918

The sound of the tug boat chugging up the river, pushing heavily laden barges filled with grain, quieted the tree frogs and crickets that shared the night with me as I watched the tip of my catfish rod jerk feverishly.

After the initial tug on the line, all movement of my fishing pole stopped. I considered this for a moment and then decided to leave the bait where it was, if there was any left on the hook. It was too pleasant an evening to exert the energy it takes to pull the hook and sinker out of the river bed, re-bait and sling it back out into the deep dark water.

My brother, cousin and I were all sitting in our camp chairs as we listened to the night sounds resonating softly against the gently moving Tennessee River, halfway between Decatur and Huntsville, Alabama. The day had been blistering hot, but at 9:00 in the evening, the temperature was pleasantly cooled by a Southeasterly breeze up from the Gulf of Mexico.

In order to thoroughly enjoy a night fishing experience such as ours, it is imperative that one follow a few simple rules designed to make an evening fishing trip pleasant.

Let there be light! This is a must for night time fishing. Bring your camp lantern or a set of construction lights that operate off the cigarette lighter in your car. Stumbling around in the dark on the banks of a river or lake can be hazardous to your health.

Make sure that you are able to tolerate your fishing companions during stretches of fishing inactivity. Usually the best fishing companions are those who keep their mouths shut and enjoy the serenity of silence; but they're hard to find.

With the advances in technology available today, it doesn't make sense not to bring along a cell phone. Leave it in the car or truck to use in case of an emergency. Don't be tempted to call someone simply to chat during a lull in the fishing action, unless you have just caught a whopper of a fish and want to brag a little to a friend.

Bring a good portable camp chair. Better still; a chaise lounge would be preferable for a relaxing evening. The only drawback to this is when reacting to a strike by a fish, it's difficult to extricate yourself from the chair fast enough to set the hook. It can be embarrassing to fall on your face while the catch of the night is swimming down the river with your rod and reel in tow.

You will need a cooler, filled with ice, soft drinks and water. My years of experience in leisure activities have taught me that river water and alcoholic beverages just do not mix, whether you are sitting on the bank or fishing from a boat. My advice is to leave them at home.

Nothing works up an appetite like sitting in the dark on the bank of a river, chatting with pleasurable company about anything that comes to mind. Usually though, talk is confined to old fish stories about the big ones caught and the giants that got away. It makes you hungry!

No one really wants a sandwich when they're fishing at night; they're hungry for something more stable, like hot dogs. Charcoal is a must for cooking hot dogs. Unless you've brought along a camp stove, hamburgers or steaks are more trouble than they're worth. Besides, the smell of catfish bait on your hands doesn't seem to linger on hot dogs the way it does on fresh meat.

Remember to bring the bug spray! Unless the wind is blowing gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away from you, insect repellent is a must!

Last on the list of necessary equipment to take on an evening fishing trip are rods, reels, sinkers and hooks. Cat fish seem to like stinky baits so that's what I use. When I was younger, I would fish with chicken liver, shad guts and any other bait that had been left out in the sun to ripen. Today I just go to one of the large tackle stores and buy prepackaged soft baits that smell just as bad as the ones I remember from my youth.

Fishing at night is fun. I've never claimed to be an expert in catching catfish, just an expert in fishing for them.

Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:

[http://www.bluemarlinbob.com]

[http://www.redfishbob.com]

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bob_Alexander/51033

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2653918

 

 

The Best Fishing Spots in General

Fishing expert Cynthia reveals some great fishing tips in this article. I hope you don't mind a more general fishing article. Any fisherman you ask will insist that only they know where the very best fishing spots can be found. However, what you will quickly find that the site probably has less to do with the type of fish you want to catch or the amount of available fish than the entire fishing event. Most would agree that a day spent fishing, even without a single catch, will always trump a day of work. Some folks would argue that they do their best work, thinking, while fishing.

Many fishermen would agree that the Kanai River in Alaska is the best place for fishing. If you are one to compete for boasting privileges, this would be the spot to be between May and July, when the two runs of wild king salmon occur. The Kanai is actually the site where the current world record salmon was caught in May of 1985, weighing an amazing 97 pounds and 4 ounces. The silver salmon are at their peak in late summer to early fall.

Insider Fishing Tip: Should you go on a fishing trip in Alaska and wish to bring your catch home along with you, don't attempt to transport it inside your luggage! Companies such as Alaska Sausage and Seafood will clean, vacuum-seal, and flash-freeze your seafood, then ship it to you where you can prepare it to your specifications at your leisure. For an additional fee, they will even process your prized catch into kippered fish, smoked fish strips, or lox prior to shipping it to you. If you are interested, just do a Google search for Alaska Sausage and Seafood and when you get to their site, there is a link near the bottom for custom game and fish processing.

However, Alaska is not the only choice. The waters around Vancouver Island, British Columbia (less than a day's travel from Seattle), also provide some excellent salmon fishing. Fishing is a year-round sport in the small village of Ucluelet. Between March and May, king and silver salmon go from the Alaskan waters to the coastal streams and rivers of the west coast of Vancouver Island; and between May and September, halibut is the main attraction. Colder months are the time to fish for winter king salmon, crab and oysters. Should you opt for Fish Eye Charters ( http://www.salmoneye.net. ), you will be guaranteed a minimum of 50 pounds of seafood each day (on outings of three or more days). They offer a variety of fishing packages which include all gear, seafood cleaning and packaging, a prepare-your-catch dinner, and lodging.

Between spring and fall, Lake Michigan is well stocked with salmon and trout, and those amounts are increased by natural reproduction within the streams and rivers that feed in to the lake. You will find numerous launch points in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois that yield excellent catches. Waukegan, Illinois, around the west side from the lake, is just about 40 minutes from Chicago, which makes it a simple trip for first-timers. If you head out between April and June, you'll find silver salmon and brown trout. Later in the summer, you'll come across the mighty king salmon. Even though you might connect Los Angeles with deep-sea fishing, surprisingly, it also has a substantial lake fishing scene. Just north of Los Angeles is Castaic Lake, an excellent place for bass fishing, including many that weigh more than 10 pounds, and even some that weight over 20 pounds. Based on what's been stocked, you could encounter trout and catfish, but it's the largemouth bass that attracts most fishermen. Between October and March, the lake is filled with rainbow trout, which often send the bass right into a feeding frenzy - and imitation rainbow trout (also known as swimbait), is usually the very best lure for that valued seafood. Bass often hide around docks, immersed foliage and rock piles. Additionally they prefer mild temperatures, so in summer and winter, you will most likely find them in the deeper waters; whereas, in the spring and fall, they can be found in the more shallow areas.

Another option in Southern California is Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley. It, too, is known for its bass population, and also the waters warm up rapidly in the spring. Early in the springtime, live swimbait or crawdads generally make the best lures. April is shad breeding season, so it becomes prime bait for the bass. While morning is often the best fishing time, springtime afternoons can also be rewarding because of the shad. You can contact Marc Mitrany, also known as the "Ojai Angler" if you prefer a tutorial (Google Ojai Angler to find him), who has caught record-size fish. He can take out on a guided excursion to Castaic in the fall, or Lake Casitas year-round. You'll learn the fundamentals of bass fishing and exercise catch-and-release techniques on largemouth bass. However, if you catch a trout, catfish, or sunfish worthy of bragging rights, you can request to bring it home.

Thailand's lakes and rivers are fantastic places for freshwater anglers searching for boasting privileges. If it is your first trip to Thailand, the best starting point is Bungsamran Lake in Bangkok. The site of countless fishing world records, this lake draws fanatics looking for monster-size Mekong catfish and Siamese giant carp. Once you've out an hour from Bangkok at the rural Boon Mar Ponds, where you will find the highly valued barramundi. Fishermen from all over the world gather here to catch this extremely challenging breed of 10-30 pound fish using both lures and fly-fishing methods

You've heard about wild game safaris, but what about a fishing safari? Africa's rivers and floodplains are paradise to fishermen. The great tiger fish is among the most prized catch of all. These fish present an enormous challenge with their razor-sharp teeth and bony jaws, which is what makes it such a trophy of a catch. These vicious creatures generally peak in August in upper Zambezi, and in September in the lower Zambezi. In Livingstone, Zambia, there are a variety of fishing lodges and operators that can set up charters or fly-fishing excursions. If you are interested in additional resources about fishing, you may want to visit [http://www.fishingresources.info].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cynthia_J_Dorsey/1472452 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7436805

Catfishing Facts Essential Things To Know About Catfishing

Catfishing expert George delivers some great catfishing facts in this article, like catfish fishing usa with live baits is illegal in some states! I hope you learn something from George's article.

Essential Things To Know About Catfishing

If you are a novice fisherman looking to spend your afternoon near a cool breezy lake, catfishing can present an interesting challenge. Catfish are large ray-finned fish found all over North America. People usually fish for blue, flathead, or channel catfish in the United States where these species are abundantly found in lakes, ponds, and rivers. Catfish flesh is known for its delicate and delicious taste. Catfish are also artificially farmed for food. Some flathead catfish can grow up to 1 meter in length and 200 pounds in weight. You should carry medium to heavy action rods when you go catfishing.

You can recognize the catfish for their lack of scales on their body. Catfish also have prominent "whiskers", a specialized sense organ called barbells. These barbells help the catfish to hunt for food even in muddy waters where visibility is low. These fish are negatively buoyant and are typically found feeding on the debris and fish at the bottom of the water body. If you want to spot a catfish, you ought to look in the holes, logs and other hideouts on the river bed. Chances are you will find a monster cat hiding in one of these hideouts. Catfish sting so if I were you, I'd be careful when I handle them. If you ever get stung, rub the tail of the catfish on the wound; you will feel better almost instantly. And don't worry; catfish sting is not fatal and it won't hurt for too long either.

If you have done fly fishing before, don't take your light rod with you. Catfish are big and heavy. You will need to buy a different rod for catfishing. You can usually check the label on the rod to see if it is a medium action rod: that's the kind of rod you will need for catfishing. You can also forget lures. Catfish are usually caught with prepared bait. Some species like flathead catfish even prefer live baits like blue gills and sun fish. The line you sink is to be lowered in carefully and kept steady. And you need to attach one or two ounce weights to the line so that your bait sinks below the surface of the water. As you can see, catfishing is quite different from flyfishing. (Please note that catfishing with live baits is illegal in some states, so please check with your local authorities before you go fishing with live baits.)

Most fishing enthusiasts prefer to go fishing for catfish in summers May through September, when the catfish are easier to find in the flooded brush on the river bends and banks of the ponds. But if you really love the challenge of it, you could go looking for catfish even in winters. This activity, also called icefishing, is very popular in some parts of United States. Just make sure you carry lots of warm clothes and hot chocolate for your fishing trip. Mmm... wouldn't that be exhilarating? Do ask your friends to join you for the trip.

George is a catfishing expert. Wants to learn more great tips about Catfishing habitat, species, and more [http://www.catfishingpoint.com/catfishing-info-habitat-species-and-more..]? Visit my site [http://www.catfishingpoint.com].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/George_Landrail/1026169

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6190445

Catfish fishing usa article

Catfishing Tips For Beginners

Jeremy delivers some great catfishing tips here, if you are a beginner, then you really should be looking for catfishing tips for beginners, so I hope these help :)

Get The Basic Knowledge To Learn About Fishing Using Catfishing Tips

Enhance your skills and learn more about your favorite fish using these catfishing tips. You can catch a good-sized catfish for yourself and have a pleasant and delicious dinner. And when you go fishing, the catfishing tips here might even help you master the art of catfishing.

Catfish have been popular and well-liked for their flavorful addition to the dinner table in many countries. Beginning anglers can learn from these catfishing tips and have an enthusiastic fishing experience too.

Considerations
You need to think about how and when you can catch catfish, the type of water you normally fish in, potential fishing locations, the types of bait you want to use and the techniques you will need to catch plenty of fish.
In case you are lucky enough to hook a big catfish, you should have strong gear since you don't want to let go a cat. You should use strong line and a sturdy hook for catfishing, and the size of the hook is not as important as its sturdiness.

Catfishing tips include
- Use a good rig: Slide a sinker down to the hook and it will keep the catfish from feeling any kind of resistance when it is attracted to the bait, making it easier to catch.

- The best time to catch a catfish is at night time: This is this is when catfish feed.
- Catfish are more abundant in rainy or cloudy weather. As long as you can handle a light drizzle or overcast day, you'll find a pleasant fishing experience and more potential catfish on your line.
- You can easily find catfish in creeks and rivers depending on the depth of water and the current.
- Night crawlers and chicken livers are known to attract these fish.

- Depending on where you fish, some other bait like crawdads or live and dead minnows can prove more effective catfishing bait. Catfishing will be more productive if you fish behind rocks, like the ones along the banks of a stream, because catfish are more likely to be found where the current isn't as strong.

Catfish grow to a big size and are not always easy to get hold of once you have caught them. You'll need to perfect your technique to hold onto your catfish since you don't want to let go of your fish once it is hooked in your line. You need to keep your catfish off balance by applying pressure and immediately releasing when you feel it take the hook, letting the rod move horizontally.
By following these catfishing tips you can hopefully have better results catching catfish and help perfect your own catfishing technique.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jeremy_Jefferson/1055574

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6442474

Catfish Information Fun Facts About Catfish

Chris gives us 8 fun facts about catfish in this interesting article. If you would like to become a catfishing expert, Click Here!

8 Catfish Facts You Should Know (Part 1)

Do you know what's the best challenge that someone could face when game fishing? Well if you've been practicing this sport for a while then you know it's when you face a giant fish that fights like hell. Because of this, many anglers prefer catfish as a game fish over other types. If you intend to follow me in my catfishing journey, you need to learn a little bit about this mysterious fish. So here are 8 catfish facts you should know about:

1- As most people think that this is only a freshwater fish, there are actually some species that live in saltwater as well. While saltwater catfish aren't considered very challenging to most experienced anglers because of their small size, I see that a beginner could really enjoy fishing those types of catfish.
2- Catfish can survive even in the worst water conditions. They have a good sense of adaptability to their environment.
3- As opposed to what many people think, the catfish is a really fast and smart fish. This is so obvious because it's considered one of the best game fishes even to most experienced anglers.

4- You can go catfishing all the time of the year and not only in a specific season (most people think it can be done only in summer). One thing to keep in mind is that catfish really hates when it's hot, so you better choose a cloudy day or even the evening instead of fishing when the sun is in the middle of the sky (when the temperature drops down, catfish go outside from their hiding to eat).
5- Catfish is the 5th most popular fish in America.
6- The catfish group is actually one of the largest and most diverse groups of fish. There are over 3000 catfish species known to men.
7- As most people think that catfish isn't a poisonous fish, scientific evidence from the University of Michigan show that almost half of the catfish species are venomous. The good think is that in North America, some catfish species use their venom to mainly defend themselves from predatory fish. There have been many proofs of highly poisonous catfish that can be deadly to human in other parts of the world.
8- The world's biggest catfish was caught in Northern Thailand in 2005. This giant Mekong catfish weighs 646 pounds and measured 9 feet long. In the US, Greg Bernal and his girlfriend Janet Momphard has made a record of catching a 130 pound, 57 inches blue catfish, which is considered a world record for this species.

Chris is a catfishing fan. He enjoys catching big catfish as well as teaching other people how to do the same. If you want to learn more about this fish, check out: catfish facts [http://www.catfishfacts.org/]. For more information regarding species that live in saltwater, check out: saltwater catfish [http://www.catfishfacts.org/saltwater-catfish/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Chris_Coen/1142009

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6446733
Catfishing tips and techniques

The Common Sense Approach To Catching The Big Catfish

As obvious as it is, using Josh's common sense approach to catching the big catfish can help you land that monster catfish like the one at the bottom of this article:)

How to Find BIG Catfish

There are many cat fishermen that have been catching average size fish for years without learning exactly where or how to find big catfish. One of the problems most anglers encounter when they are looking to find big fish is knowing where to fish and what body of waters to fish. Here we will show you exactly where to find a monster cat. The main key to locating fish over 20 lbs whether it be blue, channel, or Flathead catfish is location. Some bodies of water just do not produce large fish and can be over run with smaller size fish. A lake or river system has to have many elements to produce catfish over a certain size. Good food sources,cover,prolonged water temps above 50 deg can all help. But the main thing is a, large catfish holds the proper genes to reproduce more large catfish. This is one of the reasons why it is very important to CPR "catch photo release" any catfish over 10 lbs.
Locating areas to catch bigger fish can be a very hard task. There are many cat fishermen that have been out on the rivers and lakes for many years trying to find big catfish and when they do find a good hole it is kept a secret. It is hard work locating areas and bodies of water that continually hold large fish.

So how do you find bodies of water that hold large amounts of Trophy Catfish???

Its simple, if you want to land MONSTER CATFISH your chances are greatly improved by fishing waters that are known to produce big fish. There are several interactive catfish hot spot maps that mark the locations of every state and world record Flathead,blue and channel. These fish normally come from big fish waters and fishing these bodies of water greatly increases your chance at landing a true trophy fish. Use of big bait like whole shad,cut skip jack, live bluegill or any type of bait fish that is legal in your area. Depending on the species of catfish you want to catch.Drift fishing these waters for blue catfish can be a deadly tactic at the right time of the year and we will be posting an article on this soon. For Monster Flathead in the hot summer months look for shallow water at night time. Flathead love hot water and shallow water is where there food source is. Fish creek beds, points, logjams, the head and core of any river hole and rocks. Get out there and catfish proven waters that hold record catfish. There IS a hot spot close to you, so get out there and fish proven waters.

Using these catfish hotspot maps to help locate trophy sized fish is simple and you can also check water conditions using the links. Hope you enjoy the info we have given.

It's that simple, if you want to land MONSTER CATFISH your chances are greatly improved by fishing waters that are known to produce big catfish.
Catfish Hot spots [http://www.catfishingpro.com/portal.php]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Josh_Wrightsman/1269858

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6847128

discover how to catch a monster catfish