Archive for June, 2008

Paul asks "Are worms good catfish bait?"

Are worms good catfish bait? The simple answer is yes. Many catfish anglers use live worms for catfish bait. Whenever I have a youngster with me I will have a tub of worms. The good and bad with worms is that just about any fish will eat them. You might get a catfish or you might get a bluegill or some other fish.

I like them whenever I have a youngster along just for that reason. Catfish fishing can be a waiting game and kids don’t have a lot of patience. Having the worms gives them more opportunities for bites and to catch a fish even if it is only six inches long. This allows me to concentrate on my fishing.

There are many ways to rig them. The way I generally rig a worm is to cram as much of it as I can on a number 2 bait hook. You can drift or bottom fish this rig. Others cram several worms on the same hook to give it a lively look. If I am serious about using the worm I will rig 2 hooks in tandem and stretch the worm out. I like to drift fish this rig.

If you are really looking just for catfish there are a lot of other baits that will produce more catfish than worms on most occasions. A good source for what the catfish are biting in your area is your locale bait shop. Don’t be afraid to ask.
A couple of good baits that you can buy at the grocery store are shrimp and chicken livers. There is also a large selection of stink baits and dip bait available wherever you can purchase fishing tackle.

Catfish Fishing Tips

I first started fishing catfish in my early childhood with my dad and though I have caught some Blue, and Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish have always been my main target. I primarily fish them in the Snake and St.Croix Rivers and sometimes the Mississippi too. Wherever I can find a little nook and cranny where the current isn’t so fast there always seem to be catfish hiding looking for some fresh bait. Catfish can also be found wherever you can find a rocky bottom to.

The best time to catch catfish is usually after dark until early morning right before the sun comes up, and they always seem to be the most active around a full moon. Catfish also like to hang out in holes where the water is a little deeper. Again, anywhere the current is a little slower and a place where food might gather is great place to find catfish.

Some other Catfish Fishing tips that I have used over the years are how I rig my pole. Now this is fairly basic. I like to use a medium sized pole about 7 to 8 feet long with about 17 to 20 pound test line. Some prefer 50 or 60 pound test but the lighter line has always worked best for me because I have found it is just easier to deal with when tying hooks or getting your line out of snags. The main reason I use a lighter line is that your catfish is much less likely to notice any friction with lighter line compared to a heavier line. I like to fight the fish a little too, with a heavier line its to easy just to drag the fish in which I believe takes the sport and excitement out of it.

As far as hooks go I have always just used a smooth, medium sized hook, with no barbells on it. Catfish have very tough skin and I rarely loose a catfish after I have hooked them so you won’t need a trebble hook or any special kind of hook for Catfishing. Before I put my hook on I always just slide one slip sinker on with the size of it going by how fast the river current is, and then one clip on sinker or a swivel to keep your sinker away from your bait. I like to put the sinker about 2 feet away from the bait so your bait can float and move around in the river current.

One last Catfishing tip I will give you here is in filleting them correctly. This is very important if you want to get the best flavor out of your Catfish. I will put the Catfish on its stomach and then start with the tip of the knife right behind its head next to its spine and then slowly start slicing downwards until the fillet comes off. Then just cut your fillet off the skin. Now this part most of you probably already know as it is the same as most other fish. This is the important part. After you have your fillet in front of you there will be a yellowish strip running down the middle of the meat with a little bit of red on top of the fillet. This needs to be cut out or your Catfish will taste mushy and lose a lot of its flavor so don’t forget. I also like to cut the head meat out of the larger ones usually at least 15 pounds, this is the whitest and best part of the Catfish. And prepare some homemade tartar sauce for a great meal with the whole family.

10 Things You Need to Go Catfish Fishing

Ready to go catfish angling? You do not need much equipment and it will not cost you a fortune. I am going to give you a list of what I believe to be the bare minimum catfish gear needed to fish from the bank and how to set your catfish rig. Ok, we are going to start with what you have to have.

1 Fishing rod 61/2 to 7 ft medium/heavy action

2 Fishing reel, type is your choice but if is the first time I suggest a spin casting model

3 Fishing line, your reel should have 8-10lb test line

4 Assorted sinkers, should include egg and split sinkers

5 Assorted bait hoots, sizes 6-1/0

6 Small package of corks or bobbers

7 Leaders, at least a half dozen 12-24 inches in length

8 Bait, zillions of choices here but suggest a tub of chicken livers and a tub of night crawlers

9 Small scissors, need something to cut your line.

10 Pliers, needle nose are the best. You will need to take the hook out of the catfish

That is it, bare minimum and you can not keep any of the catfish you catch. Ok, want a little bit more than the bare minimum, here are some accessories I am fond of for bank fishing.

1 Chair, much softer and more comfortable than a rock or log

2 Rod holders, a good stick with a Y at the top will work. Mine is homemade from pipe. You have to have someway to set your rod down if you are going to be there for any length of time.

3. Cooler, I have to have my soda. Mine is very small only holds 6 cans and a couple of sandwiches.

4 Tackle box, you do not need a big one but you do need something to keep and carry your tackle in

5 Stringer, if you want to keep the catfish you catch you will need this.

6 Lantern, much easier to rig your gear at night if you have a lantern. Turn it off though when you do not need it.

7 Glow sticks, you can find these for the end of your rod for about a dollar and they will work several hours

Pack everything above in advance and you can carry it from your vehicle to the bank in one trip.

Now its time to set up your catfish rig. Slip a 3-5 oz egg sinker onto the line. Tie a 12-18″ lead onto the line using the Palomar knot. Simply put the leader though instead of the hook as shown. Clip your hook onto the leader and bait the hook.

Your ready. Cast it into the water and wait for the catfish to bite. If you have a glow stick and do not want to hold your rod all the time attach it to the tip and you will be able to see it when you get a bite. Do not get discouraged if you do not catch something your first time out. Catfish are very good at stealing your bait so reel it in every 20-30 minutes and check your bait. If the blood is out of the liver change it. Cast again into a slightly different location. GOOD LUCK!