Noodling is fishing for catfish using one’s bare hands, and is practiced primarily in the southern United States. The noodler places their hand inside a discovered catfish hole in order to catch the fish.
When should you start noodling?
Noodling is best done during the spawning season in spring and summer, when catfish are more likely to stay in their hole and protect their eggs (this is the male catfish’s job). The best time of the year to go noodling is when the water reaches about 70 degrees.
Do noodlers eat catfish?
There are more than a dozen species of catfish swimming the Oklahoma waters, but it is just the biggest three that are targeted by noodlers. Channel catfish can live more than 20 years, but are by far the smallest of the three. Flathead catfish also can tip the scales at more than 100 pounds and live up to 20 years.
How hard is noodling?
Noodling is a tough sport that takes some experience to learn to do well, but with practice and preparation almost anyone can dive beneath the water and pull out a giant catfish, so long as they know what they’re getting themselves into.
What is the best state to go noodling?
Noodling is most popular along the path of the Mississippi River, from Wisconsin all the way to Louisiana.
Do catfish bite when noodling?
You’ll need your noodling buddies to act as spotters, in case trouble strikes. If you’re lucky, a catfish will swim out and, in an attempt to defend its nest or escape, will bite you. Some catfish may just nip at your fingers, but others will clamp onto your entire hand.
What’s the biggest catfish ever caught noodling?
87.85 pounds
Jayson Spencer and Brandon Lamoni were noodling at Lake Konawa when they pulled a flathead catfish weighing 87.85 pounds from the water, according to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation officials. The catfish was 53.75 inches in length and 38.25 inches in girth.
Why is it called noodling?
It’s called noodling because the fisherman wiggles his fingers like wet spaghetti to entice the fish to bite. When it does, the noodler sticks his arm down its throat and grabs it by the gills.
Who invented noodling for catfish?
No rods, reels, hooks or lines are used. Noodling was used by Native Americans and perhaps other earlier people. One of the earliest accounts of noodling was written in 1775 by trader-historian James Adair, who described Indians grabbing for catfish.
What is noodling slang for?
To ponder, consider, or speculate about something. A noun or pronoun can be used between “noodle” and “over.” (“Noodle” here is slang for head or brain.) As my mind wandered into daydream, I began noodling over the possibility of giving up my job and moving to Japan.
What do you wear to noodle catfish?
Noodling is obviously very different than regular fishing and so are the clothes you should be wearing while doing it, as for the regular fishing people tend to wear wide, comfortable shirts so their skin can breathe in the sun, but when noodling you should never wear loose clothing.
What is noodling money?
COIN HUNTING
The trend, known as “coin-noodling”, sees people cashing in notes for coin rolls, before searching through large numbers of coins in the hopes of discovering rare ones, that could be worth thousands of dollars.
What state has biggest catfish?
Lake Texoma Texas, 121.5 Pounds, Cody Mullenix
The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record.
What state has the most catfish?
Mississippi leads the country in catfish production. Agriculture continues to be Mississippi’s top industry for revenue generated in the Magnolia State.
Are catfish good to eat?
Catfish is low in Sodium, a good source of Thiamin, Potassium and Selenium, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Phosphorus.
Does it hurt to noodle catfish?
If you don’t get a good grip on the fish you’re chasing, chances are it will rocket out of its hole and straight into you, which could knock the wind out of you or even break a few ribs. Catfish also have barbs on their pectoral fins that can sting or slice your skin as the fish speeds by [source: Sutton].
Does it hurt to grab a catfish by the mouth?
The tip of these spines is pointed and very sharp (especially on smaller catfish, and especially channel cats). These spines don’t “sting” and you can touch them without any pain occurring. Pain (and injury) occurs when these spines puncture the skin.
What does catfish taste like?
Catfish has a slightly sweet, mild flavor with a dense, moist texture, less flaky than other white fish once cooked. Wild-caught catfish has a dirty muddy taste from their stomach. The fish absorbs the seasonings and is usually coated with cornmeal, allowing you to enjoy the combined flavors.
What state has the best catfishing?
Alabama tops the list of must-visit states for many big-cat aficionados. In recent years, waters like Wheeler, Wilson and Pickwick lakes on the Tennessee River have become world renowned for producing huge blue cats, including several exceeding 100 pounds.
Where was noodling invented?
Trader-historian James Adair reported American Indians catching catfish with their bare hands as early as 1775. Handfishing also was practiced in Europe. In Scotland, a similar fishing method for salmon is called “tickling.” But the origin of the term “noodling” is unknown.
Is noodling catfish legal in Texas?
In fresh water, it is unlawful to take fish with a hand-operated device held underwater except that a spear or spear gun may be used to take nongame fish.