* The catfish is more of a night fish. During the hot daytime hours they are in the deep pools,
hiding under debris or logs, but they can still be caught. At dusk it is usually the best time to start
fishing. In the spring and in the fall you will find more catfish then in the summer, but you can still
try on cool evenings. Try out one area of the lake for about 15 minutes. If you don't catch anything
in this time period, you are probably in the wrong area of the lake. Move along and try a different
area. When you throw in the line, start pulling it in slowly, zigzagging the path. As soon as you feel
a slight tug, pull once hard to ensure the fish gets hooked, then steadily pull the fish in.
* When catfish fishing a lake with a manmade current or natural current, always anchor your boat
on the upstream side of the submerged river channel. It might not even seem like there is any
current, but if you have had high water or if they generate for electricty, there will always be a
small amount of current flowing through the lake. Fish the submerged river channel just like you
would any other river with the current taking the smell of your bait downstream.
* The cycle of Blue Catfish is exactly the same as the cycle of the Shad or other baitfish you have
in your lake. Don't kid yourself: pay attention to your fish locator. The masses of Blue Catfish will
always be somewhere around the masses of Shad. Look for the bait, catch some bait, cut them up
and driftfish with a carolina rig through the schools of baitfish.
* Dont be scared to fish in 30 to 50 feet of water: Blue Catfish can tollerate deep water yearround.
* Always fish for Flathead Catfish with live bait and remember, there is a difference between live
bait and lively bait. Make sure your bait is really squirming: the more vibration in the water, the
better the chance for a Flathead find it.
* Believe it or not, but wintertime is the best time for Blue Catfish. Catching the fresh bait can be
hard, but after that has been accomplished, look for huge schools of fish in the submerged river
channel. It might take 4 hours to find the schools, but once you've found them, anchor your boat
somewhere on the top side of the channel and cast your baits from the top of the river channel to
the bottom of it. Wait 30 minutes and move. If they are there and in a feeding mode, it will be fast
and furious action.
* The biggest blue catfish often come from water below the 40-degree mark. Most other gamefish
are sluggish in water this frigid, but not blues - they'll bite aggressively and put up a world-class
fight.
* One of the best baits for a big flathead catfish is a live bluegill (where legal to do so). Fish it
under a float in shallow water, or below a heavy sinker on the bottom of a river. Use stout tackle -
when hooked, a flathead usually heads straight for cover.
* One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to catch catfish is on juglines. Wrap a length of
strong monofilament line around the neck of a plastic milkjug. Pull out the desired length (6 to 10
ft. is usually plenty) and secure the remainder in place with a sturdy rubber band. Rig a stout live
bait hook at the end of the line and a heavy sinker (an old spark plug or wheel weight will work)
about a foot above the hook. Use liver, worms, minnows, shrimp or prepared catfish bait. Put out
several jugs away from heavy boating traffic, then get set for fun as catfish try to make off with
them. Always check local regulations before jug fishing.
* In Spring, catfish often move around shallow rock banks to spawn. They can be caught using live
minnows or prepared baits drifted shallow beneath slip bobbers.
* Catfish naturally lay and swim near the bottom 90% of the time. However some times on overcast
summer days Flatheads and Channels can be caught 5' to 7' from the surface. Most Catfish can
usually be caught along the banks after a good rain storm. They will come to the surface to feed
on washed in bugs and insects. So at these times you might ignore the foot off the bottom rule.
* Channel Cats like Prepared Blood Baits and Hamburger Baits best when the water temperature
is above 78'degrees.
* A longer Rod makes for better hook sets and longer casts. It also allows you to pick up your line
quicker. A 9 to 10 foot long rod is usually sufficient. Most pay lakes 17 to 20 lb test line is
preferred as long as your drag is set right. A good reel is essential because they have smooth,
even given drag systems. The thinner the line the better in clear lakes especially because it is less
likely to spook the fish and makes the bait look more natural in the water.
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