ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR RIGS FOR FISHING FOR CATFISH IS THE SIMPLE SLIP SINKER RIG. THIS RIG CONSISTS OF AN EGG OR BULLET SINKER SLIDING ON THE MAIN LINE. THE MAIN LINE IS TIED TO A LEADER CONSISTING OF 12 – 18 INCHES OF LINE, A SWIVEL AND HOOK.
What weight should I use for catfish?
Catfish aren’t line-shy, so you can use light or heavy fishing line as situations dictate. High-strength, small-diameter monofilaments testing 15 to 25 pounds are good inexpensive choices for all-round use, but when hunting the big boys, you may have to upgrade to 30-, 40-, even 80-pound-test.
Can you use sinkers for catfish?
Egg Sinkers: The most popular sinker for catfishing. Your line passes through the sinker, so you can instantly feel when a catfish hits. Use these when fishing from the bank or boat in still water, or drifting with current from a boat.
How do I know what weight sinker to use?
In general, you should use a lighter weight sinker in shallower water, and deeper water requires heavier weight. For shallow water, a ⅛-ounce weight works well to create a slow-falling lure action. In deeper water that is up to 20 feet, it’s best to use between ¼ to ⅜-ounce sinker weights.
What is the pound leader for catfish?
40 to 50 Lb
Leader Line: 40 to 50 Lb clear monofilament leader or fluorocarbon leader. The heavier weight leader line helps serve as a shock absorber during aggressive strikes as well as additional abrasion resistance for the rough mouth of a catfish. Hook: Any hook will work for the most part so you’re preferred option is fine.
What color fishing line is best for catfish?
Bright colors such as neon green, yellow or orange help keep the lines in order and enable you to see what is going on. Most catfish live in dark or muddy water, and with their aggression, they just don’t care about line color. So do yourself a favor and spool up bright line.
What are the best sinkers?
The sputnik sinker is the best sinker for keeping your bait in one place. The spikes allow it to dig into the sand or bottom very well, and if they get stuck, they can disengage. Also, it’s torpedo-shaped body casts very far.
Static Sinker
- Tongue sinker.
- Pyramid sinker.
- Storm sinker.
- Sputnik sinker.
Do you need a leader for catfish?
Catfish leader line also serves as a “shock absorber” when a catfish strikes. This absorbs the force of aggressive strikes from big catfish. That shock absorption is important with mono and braid but due to the lack of stretch in braided fishing line you should always use a monofilament leader.
How long should a catfish rig be?
If you’re using a standard hair stop then the length should be 1.5 times the diameter of the baits. This way, the hair knot is in the middle of the top bait as shown and locks them together.
How do you rig for catfish fishing?
The 3 Catfish Rigs You Need To Know
- Tie your mainline to one eye of a three-way swivel.
- To one of the remaining two eyes, attach a short 12-18 inch piece of line and then secure a ½ to 2-ounce sinker (depending on depth and current).
- To the last eye, tie another 2-4 foot piece of line, and then your hook.
Do you use a bobber for catfish?
One very popular way of fishing for catfish with these types of baits is to use a slip bobber rig. There are many different catfish rigs you can use for catching channel catfish but the slip bobber rig is without a doubt one of the preferred setups among catfish anglers.
How do you catch big catfish?
Use large chunks of native fish or entire fish for bait.
Using bait like chicken livers or other species of fish may work, but they are not as consistent. Two types of freshwater fish that are good at luring catfish are shad or skipjack, as they are natural to most catfish habitats.
How heavy is a size 2 sinker?
7 grams
Ball Sinkers For Sale – Fishing Sinker
| Sinker size | Pieces supplied in 1 packet | (Approx weight per sinker) |
|---|---|---|
| Size 1 | 70pcs value pack (Or 12pcs pre pack) | 4 grams |
| Size 2 | 50pcs value pack (Or 9pcs pre pack) | 7 grams |
| Size 3 | 35pcs value pack (Or 7pcs pre pack) | 9 grams |
| Size 4 | 20pcs value pack (Or 5pcs pre pack) | 15 grams |
Should the sinker be above or below the hook?
Attach the sinker about 2 ft (0.61 m) above the hook.
Leaving space between the sinker and hook helps your bait float up so it’s more visible to fish. Measure up from the top of your hook and pinch the line so you don’t lose your place. Positioning your sinker much higher on your line may make it difficult to cast.
How do sinker sizes work?
Sinker Size
Many small sinkers such as split shot come in sizes ranging from BB to 1, whereby larger numbers signify lighter sinkers. Having a combination of sizes in your tackle box allows you to fine-tune the weight on your line and get your hook to the perfect depth.
What size hook is best for catfish?
The optimal size for channel catfish is typically a 2/0 or 3/0 hook when using a Kahle hook. If you choose circle hooks for small to medium-sized channel catfish then a 5/0 or 6/0 size will usually work best.
What kind of rod do you use for catfish?
A fast or moderate action fishing rod is going to be preferred for most catfishing applications with a moderate fast action being most popular among catfish anglers using circle hooks.
What size swivels for catfish?
For smaller fish, #10 swivels — rated at 30-pound breaking strength — will suffice. For bigger fish and heavier rigs, a #1 or 1/0 swivel may be necessary — 150- and 200-pound test, respectively.
What colors do catfish see?
Based on the research that I did, channel catfish are visual predators. Their eyes focus mostly on greens and blues because those colors stand out in most water conditions.
What colors can fish not see?
We see what is called the visible spectrum. The actual colors within the visible spectrum are determined by the wavelengths of the light: the longer wavelengths are red and orange; the shorter wavelengths are green, blue, and violet. Many fish, however, can see colors that we do not, including ultraviolet.
What smell attracts fish?
The most effective scents found in fish attractants are garlic, natural fish oil, fish pheromones, anise oil, and amino acids. All of these scents make baits smell and taste like prey that fish would eat in nature.