Catfish fishing Basics
The first thing about any fishing trip is preparation.
number one keep it legal and know the state fishing regulations,
You can go to Walmart or a local go agency to get the information or just head over to huntnfishregs.com. there you can get the state catfish fishing regulations for all 50 states and the lower canadian providences. you can also find fishing maps and fishing reports for all 50 states.
Now Catfish fishing isn't a flashy sport. You don't need a fancy boat or magforce powerbuster rods. High-tech reels and Volkswagen-sized suitcases full of pretty lures aren't necessary.
Fish, worms, crawdads, liver and reeking confections of blood and guts are the blue-plate specials for catfish. Inexpensive tackle can replace the snazzy gear, and you catch cats from the bank as easily as from a boat.
Glamorous? Hardly. But don't be misled. When you hook a catfish, you better hold on. This customer is tough, mean, feisty and smart to boot. Smash 'em, bash 'em, bang 'em up: that's the catfish's game.
Want to hook a true lunker? A fish over 25 pounds, say? Then catfishing better be on your angling itinerary. A few other fish are caught over 20 pounds, but not regularly. If I were an oddsmaker, I'd lay 3-to-1 odds on big cats, and 100-to-1 on all other lunkers. Catfish may be the best table fish of all. And more importantly, catfish occur in stupendous numbers in wide spectrum of waters throughout the U.S. Many blue-ribbon catfish waters are almost untouched by catfish anglers and their offerings.
The Players
There are four major members of the catfish family in North America: the flathead catfish, blue cat, channel cat and bullhead.
The flathead frequents large rivers, bayous and reservoirs. It's incredibly ugly-pot-bellied, wide-headed and beady-eyed, but what it lacks in good looks, it makes up for in size. Most will average 3-10 pounds, but 25-50 pounders aren't rare, and flatheads up to 123 pounds have been caught on rod and reel.
The blue catfish rivals the flathead in size and can weigh nearly 120 pounds. It, too, prefers the sanctuary of larger rivers and reservoirs, and, like the channel cat, is usually caught over bottoms of rock, gravel or sand.
The channel catfish resembles the blue but seldom grows larger than 15 pounds. The world record, a real giant, tipped the scales at 58. Channel cats love streams and rivers, but millions are produced at fish hatcheries each year and stocked in lakes and ponds as well.
Bullheads are found throughout much of the U.S. Because of their small size (they seldom exceed two or three pounds) many anglers don't target them. But in some Midwestern states such as Iowa, they're the number one sport fish. Many anglers caught the catfish fishing bug while fishing for bullheads as a child.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Channel cats can be caught most any time of year except in extreme cold water conditions. The best time of year tends to be spring and fall followed by summer and lastly winter. Channel catfish favor crawfish and small fish, so look for them at varying depths where there is rock or gravel that attracts the crawfish or other forms of cover that attracts baitfish and other small fish. In the warmer summer months catfish can be found in areas with moss, which they feed on.
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Flatheads are caught primarily on bait like live shiners and chubs and only occasionally on cut or prepared baits. They are the second largest of the catfishes and lie in cover of submerged logs or other large structures. Prime fishing time for catching flathead catfish is after dark.
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Look for these big blue catfish on major rivers or in impoundments fed by large tributaries. They feed on fish frogs, mollusks, crayfish and large invertebrates. They find food more by use of their keen sense of smell. Look for them to be hiding in hollowed out logs or undercuts in structures. Use anything from live shiners to cut bait and stink baits to catch these big blue catfish.
White Catfish
Ameiurus catus
White catfish will typically found in slower meandering creeks, streams, canals and small rivers. They are occasionally found in brackish waters which drain into and mix with saltwater. Their primary diet is fish, however they also feed on aquatic insects, fish eggs, small crustaceans and even aquatic plants. Try live minnows or worms and focus on daylight hours as these are not as nocturnal as some of their other catfish relatives.
Catfish Baits
If it resembles food in any way and emits an odor it is likely to attract the interest of catfish. Every ardent catfish expert has their own secret recipe. The ingredients range from natural prey of fish and fowl to non-food items like soap and chemicals. Chicken, shrimp, liver and stink baits are the most common ingredients.
Befor your trip out catfishing swing by huntnfishregs.com to get you hunting and fishing regulations
Happy catfish fishing