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].

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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/]

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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]

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discover how to catch a monster catfish 

Best Catfish Cut Bait

We all want to know the best bait for catching Catfish, in the article below, Mark talks about catfish cut bait and cut bait fishing rigs.

Catfish Baits - What is the Right Cut Bait Presentation? 

Catfish have a very tuned sensory system that allows them to taste catfish bait from sometimes 15 ft away. They can smell and taste very small concentrations of your catfish bait when it dissolves in the water and can detect them from some distances away. This is definitely an advantage on any waters where there is a current because the smell and taste drift down stream. It is also a distinct advantage in murky waters where sight is impaired. There are many catfish anglers who prefer prepared baits, and there are many fishing situations where they do work very well but our article today will only concentrate on natural catfish baits.

Cut baits work great as catfish baits in rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs because most catfish such as blue catfish and channel catfish feed on dead fish as part of their diets. Also cut baits work well because they immediately release small particles into the water and create a smell and taste trail for any blue catfish or channel catfish in the area. During the summer flat head catfish will normally only feed on live bait that is near their area such as shad, yellow perch, pan fish and other forage fish in the area, but during the pre-spawn time right after ice out they will feed aggressively on dead catfish bait such as cut bait chucks. An excellent cutbait for blue catfish and channel catfish are oily forage fish such as skipjack herring, and gizzard shad. Mussels also make an excellent catfish bait fresh or seasoned in sour milk for a few days.

There are some basic cut bait fishing rigs that work well for different fishing situations. The types of catfish rigs we will mention are quick hit rigs, three way swivel fishing rigs, a basic slip sinker rig, modified slip sinker rig, and a basic slip bobber fishing rig.

A quick hit fishing rig is used a lot to fish for flat head and blue catfish. To make a quick hit rig you will need two number 2 to 1/0 treble hooks, a three way swivel, and a bell sinker large enough to keep your live bait close to the bottom In shallow water areas a 1/2 ounce will usually work but if you are fishing for blue catfish in current or trying to anchor your catfish bait for flathead catfish you will need much larger bell sinkers typically from 3 ounces to 8 ounces. The size you select will be determined by how large your bait is and how strong the current is.

First tie on the three way swivel to your main fishing line, then tie on a 6 to 24 inch dropper that has your bell sinker attached. Then tie on the quick hit rig to the last open eye on the three way swivel.
To make your quick hit fishing rig tie the lead treble hook on to a 12 to 30 inch leader using an improved clinch knot. Next, tie the second treble hook about 4" away from the lead treble hook using a snell or uni-knot. You will want to use a gizzard shad for your catfish bait in the 8 inch to 10 inch size range. Insert just one of the hooks of the lead treble right behind the shad's head in the upper flesh area. Next insert just one of the hooks of the lead treble behind the dorsal fin in the top flesh area.

To make a standard three way swivel rig first tie your three way swivel to the main line. Next tie your dropper to one of the open leads of the three way swivel. The dropper rig should have a bell sinker 1/2 ounce for shallow water or 3 ounces to 8 ounces if you are using large size catfish baits foe blue catfish and channel catfish. The leader should be 6 to 24 inches long with a 5/0 to 7/0 hook.
To make a basic slip sinker rig slide an egg sinker on your line then tie on a 5/0 to 7/0 hook. Then clamp on a split shot sinker up the line 6 to 24 inches from the hook. This type of slip sinker fishing rig tend to hang up quite often and many fisherman use the modified slip sinker rig instead, because of this reason.

To make a modified slip sinker fishing rig slide a 1/2 to 4ounce bell sinker up the line. Next tie on a two way swivel. The tie on a 6 to 24 inch leader with a 5/0 to 7/0 hook.
Well that concludes my article on catfish baits and fishing rigs. Have a nice day and we wish you the best of luck on your next fishing trip.

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How To Catch Catfish In Lakes

Another great article from Mark on how to catch catfish in lakes. Many people attempt to catch catfish in lakes, but a little research before you embark on this, can make all the difference!

Bait Fishing - Classifying Catfish Lakes Details Here!

When we talk about classifying catfish lakes we basically talking about locating different species of catfish such as channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish at different times of the year. The classifying process is not an exact science because there is not a lot of scientific data that has been collected about catfish like other game fish species. Fortunately there is some data that has be collected about the channel catfish, and we will use some of that history as reference for our article today. Our article today will focus on the different types of catfish lakes.

To classify catfish waters is a three part process. When you classify catfish waters for bait fishing you compare the type of lake, structure, the lakes location, and seasonal movements of a particular species of catfish such as channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. If this sounds like a bit of work it is. To be a very good catfish angler it does take a bit of practice and trial and error just like any other sport. For example your best pro athletes spend hours in the weight room and with conditioning to get ready for the next season. The ones that prepare the best perform the best, it's no different with fishing for catfish, or any other fish species for that mater.

Before we start on the different lake classifications lets talk briefly about the idea water temperatures for channel catfish, blue catfish and flat head catfish. This information is vital when you are preparing to identify ideal bait fishing for catfish waters. The ideal temperature range for all catfish is between 75degrees to 80 degrees. When the water temperature rises to 75degree all catfish will start their spawning. This will occurs at different times, depending where the catfish waters are located. Typical spawning periods for Florida are the months, of April, May and June. The catfish spawning times for Alabama and Georgia are May and June. In Texas and Oklahoma catfish spawn between May and June. In Kentucky and Tennessee the spawn will happen between June and July. In Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa The spawn of catfish will occur in June and July. In Ohio The cats will spawn over a three month period between July to early August. In Minnesota and Wisconsin you can expect the spawn to be between July to early August also. Manitoba Canada will have a spawn of catfish between July and August.

The following information about the types of catfish lakes is to be used as a guide only so you can classify your local cat fish hole and lakes around you. There are no two lakes that are exactly alike but fortunately lakes do fall into three basic categories which are oligotrophic (young lakes), mesotrophic (middle aged lakes), and eutrophic (old lakes). Some lakes such as oligotrophic lakes will not hold any catfish and can be eliminated them from you catfish lake classification list. Understanding the idea temperature range for catfish is a key factor when you start to learn the catfish water classification for bait fishing. All baseline data will be developed based on knowing this information first. Catfish will react differently when the water temperature moves below or above their ideal temperature and you will be predicting their movements and feeding patterns based on this information.

To classify a lake into one of the three lake classifications listed in the last paragraph there are some specific factors you need to consider such as how many game fish there are compared to the number of bait fish, the amount and type of aquatic vegetation, and other critical structure habitat factors. This information will be used in combination of seasonal movements to determine where catfish will be located and what type of catfish bait to use when you go bait fishing for your particular species of catfish.

Well that concludes my article today about classifying catfish waters. May you have the best of luck on your next fishing trip! Have a great day!

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Tips For Catching Channel Catfish in The Spring, Summer, and Fall

If you are looking for information on catching channel catfish, Mark gives some great tips for catching channel catfish.

Bait Fishing - Catching Channel Catfish in the Spring, Summer, and Fall - Details Here!

Channel cats are the most studied species of catfish, but compared to other game fish studies the amount of data available is minimal. Most of the data that is available about channel catfish's seasonal movement is based on just a few rivers, lakes and reservoirs that have been watched closely.
One factor that remains constant when you are talking about seasonal movements of catfish is the fact that the length of daylight effects all species of catfish. Some species such as the channel cat are effected more then other species such as the blue catfish and flat head catfish. Actually the length of day effects small organisms and all animals up the food chain to include game fish. The intensity and length of light effects drives the yearly migration and spawning and feeding patterns of channel catfish, blue catfish, and flat head catfish. If you can learn these patterns you will enjoy more productive channel catfish bait fishing trips on a regular basis.

The channel catfish's movements can be analyzed by using a very good the catfish calendar that the In - Fisherman developed. This calendar can be obtained by purchasing their book In - Fisherman Critical Concepts. Basically the calendar divides North America into the Southern range, The Mid range, and the Northern Range. The calendar has ten periods which include catfish pre-spawn, spawn, post-spawn, pre-summer, summer peak, summer, post-summer, fall turnover, cold water, winter. Each of these periods is posted on the calendar through all months of the year in all ranges, so you can predict where catfish will be and what kind of catfish bait you can use in your local area. Or if you are planning a trip to catch a mess of catfish out of state you can use the calendar to pick the best time of year.

The winter period includes the cold water and winter periods. This period is classified as long periods of time that the water temperature is below the normal range for catfish. Channel cats will continue to feed during this period but they won't be as active when compared to other times of the year. If you plan on going bait fishing to catch some channel catfish at this time of your look for deep water holes that is where they will be holding for the winter. Temperature ranges in the winter average from 32 degrees to 39 degrees in Manitoba to 40 degrees to 50 degrees in Florida.

The spring coldwater period arrives right after ice-out in the north and when the water temperatures in the south start to rise. Channel catfish will still be located in deep holes. Unlike walleyes, pike, and sauger, who move quickly into their spawning period, channel catfish, blue catfish, and flat head catfish do not spawn for tow three more months away when water temperatures rise to 75 degrees. When water temperatures rise above 50 degrees channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish will begin to move out of there deep holes looking for the years winter fish kill. This is an ideal time to use gizzard shad and skip jack herring as your catfish bait. All catfish species will be aggressively eating the deed fish kill, even the flat head catfish who normally feeds primarily on live bait fish, such as bluegill, perch, and other catfish and forage fish.

The pre-spawn period is when the channel catfish will start it's migration to smaller rivers, and tributaries to look for food and to find good spawning areas. In lakes or reservoirs this migration may be to the mouth of any incoming creeks or rivers into the lake or reservoir. This time of you're a good catfish bait would fresh mussels and large live creek chubs and large shiners. The main difference between the pre-spawn and early spring period is that the channel catfish's metabolism is increasing and they are becoming more active so they are aggressively looking for catfish bait.

As the water temperatures rise to 75 degrees catfish such as the channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish enter the spawning period. Channel catfish will spawn for over a month so bait fishing efforts will not be effected. Channel catfish are extremely active and aggressive during the spawning period. A good catfish bait would be cut baits such as gizzard shad, soured mussels, or creek chubs.

The settling period includes the post spawn and the pre-summer periods when water temperatures rise to about 80 degrees and above. The channel catfish has the same activity level and feeding patterns during the summer as they do during the spawn period and your bait fishing methods and catfish bait can remain the same. As the water levels start to drop the channel catfish will start their move to deep water areas down stream or deeper areas on a lake or reservoir. They will still feed aggressively during the night hours in shallows but move deeper during the daylight hours.
The summer period which includes summer peak, summer and post summer periods occurs when the water temperatures rise to 80 degrees and above. The summer period includes much of July, August, and September. Summer is the prime time to fish for channel catfish because they are predicable and actively feeding. You can continue to catch channel catfish while bait fishing using cut bait for your catfish bait selection. Some common bait fish to use for cut bait are gizzard shad, skipjack herring, shiners and creek chubs.
As the cooling period starts channel catfish and blue catfish will head for deeper holes in rivers and lakes. And will be less active as the whole cycle of life starts over again.

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Best Way To Catch Catfish Proven Methods

When looking at the best way to catch catfish, copying proven methods and systems is always the way to go. Dan delivers some great methods in this article. No need to try and reinvent the wheel, the secrets to catching catfish are already out there, you just need to find them!

Proven Methods For Catching Catfish

There are a variety of methods used for catching Catfish. It all depends on how you prefer to fish. We'll go into several tried and true methods.

We'll start with trotlining. First you need to make sure it is even legal in your state to run a trotline. You can either build your own trotline or buy a ready made one at your favorite fishing supply store. Most of the ready made ones are fairly inexpensive, running about $8.00, they already have the hooks tied on and it's pretty much ready to go. You may want to go with the pre made one until you decide if you are going to like trotlining.

If you're going for the lunker cat, it's better to either build your own with heavier line or buy a more expensive pre made one. If you do decide to build your own, you will be working with a 150 foot line and 25 hooks. Check your state laws regarding the length and the spacing of the hooks.
Once you've checked your state laws and have your trotline, you will need to buy or make a weight. A good cheap weight can be made by filling a coffee can with cement and a large steel eye bolt that you can buy at the local big box home improvement store for about $4.00. This works great. You will also need floats, for those you can use store bought floats or save some money and use empty gallon milk cartons with the lids screwed on tight.

Now you're ready to set your trotline. Pick a spot that has a channel running down the middle of it, tie one end of the trotline to a tree or a stump on one side of the channel, carefully unroll the trotline and when you reach the other side tie the end to another tree or stump. Make sure to leave enough loose line that the trotline will sink down close to the bottom. Double check your knots! You could end up with 25 fish on this line and they are not going to just meekly sit there and wait for your return, they will be thrashing and twisting and doing whatever they can to escape and you don't want your trotline to come untied.

Once you have your trotline secured, it's time to bait the hooks. Your best bet for bait will be live bait like shad, minnows, nightcrawlers and small crawdads. After you've got the hooks baited, attach your floats to the trotline at about 20 feet from each end then take some good heavy twine or nylon rope and thread it through the eye of the hook on your weight and attach it securely to the middle of the trotline and let it sink.

You should check your trotline, at the very minimum, every 12 hours. Don't leave it sitting for longer than that if you don't want to come back to a whole line of dead fish. Again, be careful pulling the trotline up, you do not want to hook yourself! I've seen inexperienced trotliners end up with hooks in some very bad places that we won't even mention here. You do not want that, so use caution.

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

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here are some more tips on catching catfish

Catfish Fishing USA Catfishing In The California Delta

Timothy brings us 5 great catfish fishing tips on catfishing in the California Delta. Enjoy:)

Catfishing In The California Delta

I never understood the appeal of fishing. My father would rise before the roosters, pack his gear and go out to sit idly on a rock, drink beer and coffee, trade stories with my Uncle Roosevelt and if he were lucky--come home with enough to feed the family. There were eleven of us and most times, he did just that.

My father had been an avid fisherman all of his life, so it came as no surprise when my siblings took up this activity. Still, I did not understand the joy of this hobby. But then a funny thing happened. While on vacation and going through a divorce, I was looking for a new hobby to occupy my time. I decided on fishing and I wouldn't have to seek out a teacher because my brothers lived a few doors down from me.

That was 14 years ago and now I have become a more than capable angler. My favorite fishing spot is the California Delta, which offers a plethora of hard fighting whiskerfish. This 1100-mile region is a conjunction of three rivers--The Sacramento, San Joaquin and Mokelumne and numerous sloughs and lakes. There are a number of piers, levees, islands and crags that one can bank fish from and plenty of area for boat fishing. I know this area extensively and offer these five tips for bank fishing.

1. Get up early--preferably around three a.m. giving yourself room for last minute hold-ups--usually that sleepy headed buddy who isn't ready when you arrive. The catfish bite is usually strongest around dawn and dusk. I also like night fishing.

2. Prepare your bait the night before, particularly stinkbait mixtures. Catfish rely on smell so if you fish with shrimp or grubs you might be wise to let it sit in the sun for several hours, then placing the bait in a jar for safekeeping. You can also soak shrimp in vanilla. But even if you buy pre-packaged bait, it is best to do so in advance. My choices of bait are clams, chicken liver, mackerel, nightcrawlers, blood worms and sometimes meal worms dipped in vanilla. (I'll use the latter when I know that there are crappie and perch in the vicinity as well). Other fishermen suggest using whole kernel corn. Let it sit in the sun for a day or two, then add black pepper.

3. If you miss a catfish bite, be patient. These creatures are greedy. Theyw ill strike again, usually within seconds after the initial bite. They are also known to "hook themselves". Once you snag one, be prepared for a tough and fun fight. Even the smaller ones are tenacious!

4. I tend to cast into the middle of the water, but when the bite slows, try fishing along shaded areas and amongst the tulles. Fish among the pilings and other debris if possible. In either case, be wary of getting hung up.

5. My five favorite sites: Hogback Slough (near Isleton), Frank's Tract, Lindsey Slough (near Rio Vista), Eight mile slough (near Stockton) and Jersey Island.

Now all you have to do is prepare, be on the bank before the sun rises, cast out and relax.

Timothy N. Stelly is a writer for several e-zines and is the author of two novels, "The Malice of Cain" and "Tempest In The Stone". He is an avid camper and fisherman.

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here's another great article on catfish fishing usa, awesome catfish fishing tips!

Jugging For Catfish Basics

Looking for the best way to jug for catfish? With catfish jug fishing you really need to start with the basics and here in this article, catfishing expert Dan, gives some great jug fishing for catfish tips that you can start using right away!

The Basics of Jugging For Catfish - Techniques and Tips

Jugging for catfish is a great way to catch tons of fish, with a minimum of cost or effort. You'll see it sometimes called 'juglining,' but it's the same thing. It basically involves putting a bunch of jugs out there in the water that have a line running in between them, and on that line are your hooks.
The first thing you should do when you want to go jugging is make sure it's legal. This used to be a really common way to catch fish on the nation's major rivers, but in recent years it has become illegal in some places. Others have strict guidelines about jugging. The reason is that juglines obstruct the water, and get in the way of commercial fishermen and other traffic. For the most part, jugging is best in smaller tributaries of major rivers, or small lakes and ponds.

Here is the gear you will need for jugging:
- Jugs. The best things to use for jugs are empty plastic gallon milk jugs. You can use just about anything made of either glass or plastic, as long as it has handles. Make sure you keep the caps because you'll need those to keep your jugs afloat. Some folks use other things that are easy to see, and you can also buy ready-made jugs for jugging at tackle shops.

- Lines. You should have one line for each bottle, and they should be at least 5 feet long. In general, longer is better, but it depends on the body of water you are jugging. If you have a swift current, strong winds, or other traffic around, you may be restricted as to how long your lines can be. But, they should be at least 5 feet.

- Hook and sinker for each line. Just about anything will work for a weight. It should be heavy enough to keep the jugs in place, but not too heavy. A little trial and error will give you an idea of what's too much or too little. Circle hooks work really well for jugging, although you can use anything.

Here's what you do:
Tie the lines to the handles of your jugs. You should have each line tied to two jugs, and each jugs with two lines coming off. You can experiment a little with this, but the standard jugging set-up is to have a row of jugs all tied together in a line.
Put bait on each hook, then start putting the jugs in the water. It is best if you go out there on a boat to put the jugs in the water. You should do it gently, because if there are cats hovering around the bottom, they'll split when they see you come tromping through their feeding ground.
In a pond or lake where you can be close to the jugs, you can sit on shore and wait for a bite, but generally it is best to be out there on a boat waiting for a bite, especially if there is any current. You'll see those jugs bounce, flip, shake and go crazy, and that's the real excitement. When those quiet waters come alive with the jugs shooting every which way, that means you've got yourself a bite. Hurry on over there, pick up your jug and whatever you have chewing on your bait. Hopefully, it's a giant cat!

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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Catfishing Bait Tips How To Catch Bait

Steven reveals some good catfish bait secrets in this article below. I always listen when someone says they have some catfish bait tips for me, so I hope you discover the best bait for catching catfish.

The Best Way to Catch Bait For Catfishing 

Fishing can be a very fun way to spend the weekend with your family. If you decide to buy your bait, it can actually get very expensive. I have found that catching your own bait can save you a lot of money and also bring you a lot of enjoyment!

As I have written about in many of my other articles, my favorite kind of fishing is catfishing. When I am going for the large catfish, I try to use small fish as bait. Perch and goldfish work great! As you have probably already realized, perch are easier to find in the wile than goldfish.

The first step is to have the right equipment to catch small perch. I try to find very small hooks so that the perch can easily fit it in their mouths. It is not required, but generally you want to use very small line to catch perch. If the line is too thick, sometimes the perch sense there is something funny going on. I also like to use a very long fishing pole. Once you go catch bait a few times, you will notice that sometimes you don't even cast the line; you just have to drop it in the water near the bank.

The next step is to find a pond or lake that is filled with perch. I try to find a spot that you will have a bite every 5 seconds or so. When you are setting trot lines especially, you will require quite a few perch, so it is a must to catch them quickly.

The last step is to decide on the right kind of bait. When you think about it, it is kind of funny that you have to decide on the right bait to catch other bait! I like to use worms personally. Once you get used to catching the perch, you will notice that you can catch a whole bucket of perch with one worm.

Catching perch to use as bait when catfishing can be very beneficial and save you a lot of money. I highly suggest using perch and I think you will know why if you follow my advice. Good luck during your next fishing trip!

Steven has been creating articles for 5 years. His most recent hobby has been fitness. To view Stevens most recent thoughts, please visit his site where he discusses Powerblocks Dumbbells [http://www.powerblocksdumbbellssite.com/] & also view Powerblock Review [http://www.powerblocksdumbbellssite.com/powerblock-review/]. I hope you enjoyed the article!

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Here's another good article on the best bait to use for catfish

Jug Fishing For Catfish Tips

Great article from Dan on the best way to jug for catfish, these jug fishing for catfish tips are really good and I hope they help with your catfish jug fishing

Jug Fishing for Cats

Of all of the numerous tried and true methods for hauling in a big catfish, jug fishing, or "juggin'" is one of the most popular among seasoned catfishermen. Jug fishing's simple approach and high return, combined with the low cost of the materials needed to make a jug fishing rig, make it popular among a great many anglers everywhere, both for sport, and for commercial fisheries, too. Jug fishing's main advantage is that it can be carried on, unattended, leaving the fisherman free to set more jug lines, or tend the ones that are taking fish. Also, free-floating jugs can cover a great deal of water area. As a result, jug fishing is usually highly productive, and a great way for families or groups to engage in catfishing, especially if kids or beginners are involved.

Jug fishing is best practiced in mild-current rivers, and pond or lake conditions, as too fast of a current will take the jugs away quickly, making their retrieval difficult.

The basic strategy of jug fishing is simple - set up a series of jug fishing rigs, float them out over a wide area of water, possibly with different baits, slung at different depths, and see what comes calling. Then, after you get a bite, if you're really keen, you can bring in the non-producing jug rigs, and re-set them with the successful bait and depth combination, which will then keep you very busy hauling in fish.
Building a jug fishing rig is simple. To make one, you will need some sort of powerful float (the jug), a length of heavy trot line, a couple of hooks, a weight, and your favourite bait.

First, a word on jugs. As the name implies, the original floats used in this technique were, and often still are, empty jugs of some description. Pop bottles, bleach bottles, or any empty, sealed container will do. Plastic containers are best, due to lower weight and greater durability than glass.

Commercially manufactured products are also available for jug fishing, many of which are smaller, lighter and easier to manage than the conventional standbys. Admittedly, 20 bleach bottles in your boat takes up a lot of space. It should be noted, too, that many jurisdictions have regulations on the types of fish than can be jugfished for, the design of the rig, and the color of the jug - usually, white is the rule. Check your local regs, though, before setting out on a jug fishing expedition, or any fishing trip, to make certain you are fishing legally.

To build the rig, you will need to make a couple of decisions regarding the length of the jug line. Ideally, you want the jug line to float freely, but the deepest end of the rig should be close to the bottom, maybe two to three feet above it. If you don't know how long to run your lines, try making a few of different lengths, and setting them out across your fishing area - some will get more attention than others. Having decided on the length of the lines to run, cut your jug lines accordingly. Fasten one end of a line to the neck of the jug, or to the fastening point, on a commercial product. On the other end, tie a reasonable weight, enough to keep the line down, but not so much that it overly tensions the line, or over-weights the jug.

Now, tie two hooks on each jug line, one, about a foot or two above the weight, and one, maybe six feet above the weight - Palomar knots work well for this. This system puts two hooks in the water, lays twice the bait out, and sets baits at differing depths, to cover as many bases as possible. Further, if the line floats into shallower water, while the sinker and one bait may end up out of commission, the higher hook will usually still be in a position to get a bite.

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

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Catfish Noodling Guides By Catfishing Expert Dan

With all the catfish fishing secrets out there, noodling is one of the most popular. Here catfishing expert Dan, gives some excellent advice on this age old fishing technique!

Noodling - Adventures In Bare-Handed Fishing! 

It's an age-old fishing technique that my uncle taught me down in the Ozarks of southern Missouri - Noodling. Noodling means catching catfish with nothing more than your bare hand and quick reflexes.

No matter what you call it, tickling, hogging, grabbing, dogging or noodling, catching catfish with your bare hands is a truly man-against-nature experience! You can only imagine that this is the way our caveman ancestors must have got their fish suppers! Imagine yourself with a hand full of catfish guts, twisting and turning to dislodge that whale of a cat you got down there!

Okay, let's take a step back and ask - Exactly what is noodling? Well, let me break it down...
Step 1 - Go to a spot that is known to be popular with our whiskered friends. It also has to be at a time of year when the water is more than 80 degrees so they'll be spawning.

Step 2 - Find yourself an empty log, some tree roots, debris, a river bank, just about anywhere, and wiggle your fingers. What you're looking for is a male cat guarding his young, and when he sees something coming into his cozy little hideaway, he'll attack.

Step 3 - When he bites, get a handful of fish guts and pull. It might take some twisting and pulling, but if all goes well, you'll have that cat flappin and floppin on the end of your wrist... and you'll have some good fried catfish for supper tonight!

I know what you're saying - this is something only crazy rednecks in the backwaters would be insane enough to undertake. Surely a decent rod and some fishing gear isn't so hard to come by. What kind of maniac would plunge his hand right into the water and try to pull out a fish?

I'd say 2 things to that - first off, noodling is an old tradition, passed down from generation to generation. Second, it's a heck of a thrill, and if you try it once, you may toss that nice fishing rod right in the trash. There's nothing like knowing you caught one with your bare hand! Noodling gives you quite an adrenaline rush.

It's a great kick, and an effective fishing technique as many guys especially in the southern US will tell you. But, it's not without its dangers.

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

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Raising and Catching Catfish

The channel catfish,one of the best tasting and sport friendly fish made for the rod angler. I believe that this fish reigns supreme in it's habitat. A fish made for fishing by kids of all ages. you can have a good time catching and eating this fish. Watch out for it's fins and have a pair of pliers or skin pullers at the ready and you will be prepared for a great experience. Chicken liver reigns supreme as bait to catch him. There are also many baits ready made by manufacturers to get him on your hook . Since the channel grows to such large proportions,a large hook and tough terminal gear should be used. I have kids and grandchildren who love to fish. Bass need bigger areas of water in which to live and grow large. Sun fish and bream are okay but they do not grow to large sizes. Kids love to catch the smaller fish but are especially delighted to have a change of pace and have a chance to hook into Mr. whiskers.

I wanted an area where my children could have fun in a clean environment. I had a stock tank built on my property for a reasonable cost. I started to build a fishing pier by myself.The rains came and the pond began to fill up with water. Any ideas that I had in my head about putting post supports in the ground for the pier were dashed. I obtained 55 gallon non metal drums at a reasonable cost and began to work. I built the floating pier next to the waters' edge without the use of any electricity. I used drills that worked off of batteries and hammer and nails, I used treated wood and spiral nails that would not rust in the elements. I used my 6 year old as a pilot to test the stability of my project. After several dunks in the water I added structure onto the pier until it was very stable. I added a box structure on the end of the pier to hold one of my deer feeders. I cut a hole in the bottom and bolted the feeder down. Since I was one person and trying to find the most simple and most efficient means for building, I installed ropes on both sides in two locations. The ropes were secured to trees on the shoreline. The ropes could be secured so that they would not interfere with your fishing. This setup also aids levity in the natural rise and fall of water levels.

I went on a shopping trip to one of the local fish hatcheries, I came away with several hundred channel catfish in plastic bags, The fingerlings averaged from 4-6 inches long. I had already procured cat fish chow from one of the local feed stores. Dog food will do just as well. I put the pellets into the feeder and set the timer to discharge feed early in the morning and about 1 hour before sunset. Monitoring the quantity of pellets released can give you a good idea of how much the fish are actually eating and how much is waste. I changed the batteries in the feeder occasionally and watched as the fish came up to feed on the floating pellets. Catfish do not eat as much in winter months, so adjust the feed output accordingly. I waited until the fish reached a certain length before fishing was allowed.

After 2 1/2 years wait the kids and family were catching catfish that weighed 8 pounds. We had many fish fries where many families were fed. My kids and family looked forward to going fishing at the stock tank and many good times were enjoyed by us all. Outdoor activities like fishing are good ways for kids and adults to spend their leisure time. In this instance we were bringing a lot of food home to the larder. MY son developed an affinity for the outdoors and now my grandchildren are beginning to reap the rewards of my efforts so many years ago.

Stephen Graham-Avid outdoors man has spent his life in Texas fishing and hunting.
http://www.phmnetwork.com
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