Angler Tricks for Catfish

Anglers use a rod and an angled hook to snag catfish for dinner. They prefer this type of fish because of its availability in most areas of the United States and the ease at which catfish bite. You can more effectively angle for catfish by understanding their natural instincts and behaviors and modifying your angling equipment.

  1. Time Frame

    • Since catfish feed at night, start fishing at the break of dawn or at dusk. You can use lights to fish during nighttime if your local county permits night fishing. Because catfish prefer cooler weather, you can catch them during winter months, but you may have difficulty fishing during the summer unless the body of water in which you angle has plenty of shade.

    Rig

    • Select a 9- or 10-foot rod for catfishing and make sure to purchase a line that can handle the weight of the variety of catfish you want to catch. A 20-lb. line will handle most varieties. Use low-visibility line and a bead instead of stock fishing line and a round bobber to minimize the appearance of the rig.

      Catfish live near the bottom of rivers, ponds and lakes. Adjust the distance between your bobber and hook so that the hook maintains a distance of about 3 feet from the bottom of your fishing area. You can estimate depth by using a weight and fishing line, or you can estimate the depth based upon how frequently you get bites.

    Bait

    • Catfish have voracious appetites and scavenge for whatever edible plants and animals they can find, but they prefer animal bait due to its higher protein content. Use large bait including minnows, crayfish and chicken hearts to catch large varieties of catfish. For smaller fish, use redworms, compost-grown earthworms or nightcrawlers as bait. If you cannot readily find bait, you can use whatever is handy including lunch meats, cheese and bread rolled into a ball.

    Location

    • Fishing in a river with a slow-moving current will improve your catch rate. Smaller fish get caught in the current, so catfish stay close to the currents in order to feed. You should fish underneath bridges to maximize your catch rate.

      If you fish in a pond or lake, cast your line in shady spots underneath trees. The fallen debris from these trees provide hiding spots for catfish. Do not waste time fishing in an unproductive spot. If you fail to get a bite within 10 minutes, switch locations or select another body of water.