Catfish Fishing gear, tackle, how to tips, recipes, articles, videos, catfish pictures l Bass Pro Shops & Cabela's
Using what we know as “artificial” baits, like crankbaits and plastics, is seldom the best bet for consistently catching catfish.
By M.D. Johnson
Growing up years ago, the thought of using a bobber when fishing for channel catfish never would have entered my mind.
True, my dad and I caught plenty of catfish while drifting big minnows under bobber rigs for spring crappies, but it just never clicked.
Fishing for big catfish is gaining fans in droves as anglers realize the cats offer their best chance to catch a quarry in freshwater that weighs 20-75 pounds on a consistent basis. Here are some tips on how to latch onto one of these whiskered inland giants.
Summertime is channel catfish time across America. In lakes and reservoirs, fish the flat areas in 18 to 25 feet of water using shad, shrimp, dough balls, cheese, prepared baits, nightcrawlers, and even that left over hot dog from lunch.
Old "Mr. Whiskers" is one of America's favorite fish, both in terms of angling quality and cuisine. They are prolific and can be caught all across the country. And few fish can match the delicate flavor of a firm catfish fillet.
Biologists in state fisheries agencies have stated that underutilized catfish populations exist in smaller creeks and rivers from Virginia to Texas. Catfish can live in any water but cold streams at high elevations. These fish are adaptable to a broad range of current and turbidity conditions, thus their abundance. Also, they are extremely hardy, and they will eat virtually anything organic.
Anglers that view the flathead catfish as a worthy adversary, but one best pursued on dark, steamy, mid-summer nights are missing the boat, literally, on what might well be the best shovelhead bite of the year.