As versatile and effective as drift and float rigs often are, many catfishing situations call for live or dead bait still fished on the bottom. The most popular bottom rig for all species of catfish is the egg sinker slip rig.
Do you fish on the bottom for catfish?
Catfish rigs can be fished from your boat or the bank of your favorite lake or river. Traditional catfish anglers cast a simple circle hook or treble hook and sinker with natural or artificial catfish baits to the bottom, relying only on the catfish’s sense of smell to find the bait.
What is the best way to rig for catfish?
The egg sinker slip rig is, hands down, the most popular rig for still fishing catfish. Consisting of an egg sinker on the main line held in place above the hook by a lead shot, this rig is ideal for keeping the bait near the bottom, which in turn, allows a catfish to swim off with the bait with little tension.
What depth is best for catfish?
The best depth for catching catfish is between 15 and 20 feet deep in lakes. This is known as the catfish zone because they reside within such depths in most lakes. However, depending on the time of the year and the temperature of the water, they can also reside in shallow areas.
Should I use a bobber when fishing for catfish?
When catfishing with these techniques the sound of the float hitting the water helps draw in fish and gets them to strike. Using a streamlined float that doesn’t make a good “splash” in the water would actually work against you so the traditional bobber rig is preferred.
Is catfish a bottom feeder?
Catfish are not exclusively bottom feeders, but they do feed, and spend time on the bottom, especially in certain seasons and daytimes.
Do catfish like deep or shallow water?
For the most part, catfish are bottom feeders and usually hold in deep water, although they will move into shallows to feed, especially at night.
What’s the best bait for catfish?
Best Catfish Baits
- #1. Nightcrawler. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species.
- #2. Gizzard Shad.
- #3. White Suckers.
- #4. Skipjack Herring.
- #5. Stinkbait.
- #7. Bluegills.
- #8. Punchbait.
- #9. Chicken Livers.
How do beginners catch catfish?
During the day, look for catfish in muddy water areas, such as a tributary and its outflow. Also good are deep structures, like river bends, the base of drop-offs, deep holes, and humps. Catfish will also hold around cover, like standing timber and deep weed edges. Night brings excellent fishing.
What size hooks 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.
How do you attract big catfish?
Beyond its ability to attract large catfish, bubble gum is preferred by the anglers who use it because it firmly stays on the hook. Gum even helps the catfish stick to the hook as it tries to swallow the bait. Green apple flavor works well, but catfish also like other fruit flavors like strawberry and grape.
How do you target 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.
Will catfish bite during the day?
Fact: Catfish are active at all hours of the day and night, this includes all three species of catfish. Catfish can easily be caught throughout the day regardless of the season. Catfish eat when they are hungry, not when it gets dark. Myth: If you want to catch flathead catfish, you have to fish at night.
How far should a bobber be from a hook?
Place your bobber 6-12″ from your rod tip and make sure your line is not wrapped around your rod.
How far should the weight be from the hook?
Tie a hook on the end of your fishing line with one of your fishing knots. Pinch one or two small split shot sinkers to your main line about 6-12 inches from the hook to add a bit of weight to your line (this will keep your bait suspended vertically).
Do bobbers scare fish?
Do Bobbers Scare Fish? Bobbers do not normally scare fish because your line should be suspended at least 24 to 36 inches away from the the hook, so it will usually look like a piece of floating debris. The fish will be able to see it, but should not be scared of it, unless your line has just hit the water.
Do catfish feed on the surface?
If channel cats can find concentrations of favored foods on the surface, they’ll feed on top. If you don’t believe it, drop by a catfish aquaculture operation at feeding time.
Do catfish eat off the surface?
Channel Catfish
They’ll eat fish, snails, clams, and mollusks. They will even eat small mammals if they can get a hold of them. Some people have even seen channel catfish pluck birds off the surface of the water. Channel cats don’t care if their food is alive or dead.
Why do bottom feeders swim to the top?
Usually, your fish goes to the top when he’s not getting enough oxygen. Unlike you, he uses his gills to breathe the air that’s already in the water. However, in some circumstances, there’s not enough oxygen in the tank for all of the fish to breathe easily.
What is the best time of day to fish for catfish?
The best time of day to catch catfish is from sunrise until 10 am. This time window is before the sun gets directly overhead and water temperatures are still cool from the evening prior. Catfish will be more active as they seek to feed before the overhead sun warms the water and prey fish seek cover.
What is the best month to catch catfish?
Late March, April, and early May are some of the best blue catfish fishing of the year for numbers of fish and also offers excellent opportunities for trophy class catfish as well. Channel catfish action is typically excellent and very consistent also.