How To Use Catfish Traps
Catfish traps are regulated or prohibited in many states. Before learning how to use catfish traps you should know the regulations for your area ahead of time. The reason for them being regulated so stringently regulated is that channel catfish must be able to move to breathe. If they can’t breath they suffocate and die. You must also take responsibility for how you use the catfish traps. If you use the catfish trap to catch channel catfish for food that is fine but if you place the trap you must check it at least every 12 hours.
There are two types of catfish traps that are commonly used. One is a box made from wood slats with the entrance on one end across the bottom. The entrance into the box is angled out from the box. Another type is a box made from heavy wire mesh with a funnel made of wire at one end that narrows to a small opening in side the box. Both traps work by guiding the catfish through a small opening into the box. Whichever one you choose make sure it is big enough for the size fish you intend to trap. Big catfish are strong and can move a small trap especially if they have current helping them.
Once you have choosing what type of trap you will be using you need to decide on what bait you will be using. A lot of people use dog food. It does not cost much as a large supply can be purchased for fewer than ten dollars. Some of the other baits used are cheese, chicken livers, stink baits, and anything else you would normally use to fish for channel catfish. Another bait that seems to work very well is canned cat food but since cat food dissolves rapidly the best way to use it is to poke holes in the can and place the can in the trap.
That is all there is to it. Now you know how to use catfish traps. If it is legal in your area and you decide to use a catfish trap be responsible and check it as often as possible. Do not leave it in the water if you are not going to check it. Fish will swim into it and die.
The Right Catfish Hooks To Increase Your Success
Knowing how to select the right catfish hooks for the type of catfish you want to catch is very important. Fishing for a 2lb channel is vastly different than fishing for a 50lb blue or flathead catfish. The sizes I use range from 2 to 2/0 in most waters but there are times when you can use larger hooks up to 6/0 effectively.
I usually fish with a 2/0 baitholder hook as I can get both table fare and some good sized cats without having to worry about the hook failing. When I am at a location, such as below a dam, that has proven to produce monster cats consistently I will use a 4/0 hook.
The way I select the right catfish hook is easy. In waters where I am unsure of what to use I always start with a 1/0 baitholder hook. If your drag is set properly this hook is sturdy enough to bring in the big catfish and small enough to provide good table fare.
When I am trying to make sure I have a decent catch to take home for dinner I often switch to a smaller hook. Not many catfish anglers recommend this but I have had great success doing so. For instance, if I am having a problem with the catfish taking my bait, running with it for a short distance and then just simply dropping the bait I will switch to a #2 baitholder. Of course it is not as effective for big fish but it does put food on the table.
When it comes to winter fishing for catfish, you really can get better results using smaller hooks too. Even when you are trying to catch big fish. Especially in the winter, when the water is cold and calm, the catfish tend to be finicky, and you have to try to get them out of the water without spooking them.
In the springtime, when the fish are not so finicky, you can move up to some bigger hooks like a 4/0 baitholder hook. These are particularly good when there are flood water kinds of conditions present. During flood conditions, the fish tend to get very aggressive, and they really grab on to basically whatever is out there. You will miss some fish you could catch if you use the smaller hooks in flood conditions.
No matter what size or type hook you prefer to use you should always have an assortment on hand so that you can adapt to the waters or conditions you are fishing in. Go often enough and you will work out your own system and preferences for choosing the right catfish hooks.
Picking The Right Catfish Rod
Fishing for Catfish can be fun and exciting if you choose the right catfish rod for the fish you are trying to catch. If the rod is extremely stiff and strong you take all the sport out catching all but the biggest catfish. If the rod is extremely flexible a medium sized catfish will tear it up. Catfish are great fighters which make them fun to catch but they can destroy your gear if you don’t choose correctly.
To make I better choice when buying a new rod there are a few things you should know. When choosing a rod there are 3 main factors that will determine how the rod will perform in actual use.
Action refers to where or how much of the rod will bend. With equal weight a fast action rod will start to bend more toward the tip where as a slow action rod would tend to bend over the entire length of the shaft. A medium action rod would start to bend in the middle. The action is controlled by the taper of the rod itself. A fast or short taper would make a slower action rod and a slow or long taper would make for a faster action rod.
Power or strength is the amount of force needed to bend the rod. The thickness and type of rod material will determine this. A lot of rod manufactures and anglers get this confused with action. Most rods when marked light-action are referring to power not action. The best way to tell the power of a rod is to check the line weight ratings.
Sensitivity is the ability to transmit vibrations from the line through the rod and to your hand. By taping lightly on the tip with your finger you should easily feel the vibrations holding the handle of a sensitive rod. The thickness and density of the rod material will make a difference. Graphite is more sensitive than fiberglass and boron is denser and more sensitive than graphite. The ferrules also make a difference; metal ferrules are far less sensitive than graphite. A one piece rod of course would be the most sensitive. The rod blank should also continue through the lenght of the grip. Single foot guides add less weight and help retain sensitivity verses a double foot guide which is heavier and must also be wrapped in two locations. Also the rod action plays a major role, fast action rods will be more sensitive than a slow action rod of the same material. Don’t confuse a lighter more flexible rod with being more sensitive.
If you are new to catfishing a good inexpensive rod choice is the Shakespeare Ugly Stick. It is a medium action pole that is a favorite among catfish anglers. While this is a good rod to start with you should get to know what the other rod types are capable of. You will have a lot more fun catching a 5 lb channel catfish on a medium action pole than you will on a heavy action pole. Choosing the right catfish rod will make your fishing much more fun.