So you want to catch a BIG catfish. That's very possible as there are numerous bodies of water where they can be found - they like to hole up in the deeper ponds or lakes and gently flowing rivers and streams. They're bottom feeders and will eat almost anything - and there are many different catfishing baits which appeal to catfish, both large and small.
The thing is this - are you using those baits in the correct manner to get the big one you're seeking? Let's take some time to establish where to look for him first - you can have the most delectable bait (to a catfish) possible - but if the big catfish you want isn't there, you'll simply waste it on fish you don't need. Your big catfish is not going to come looking for you, no matter which catfishing baits you're using on your hooks. And you can switch your bait as often as you like, but if he's not there, then he's not there, is he?
We need to take some time to study the waters where we know he's hiding. Catfish do not swim around in clear, open water; they lurk in murky, cloudy waters where they can hide near underwater rocks and logs. So if you're in an open area on the banks of a river without sufficient cover for the catfish, you won't find him. It's critical to understand your prey and his habits to spot exactly where you can find him. Are there some deeper areas in your body of water and can you see some old tree-trunks or piles of brush and debris? Move around and use your fishing gear in the likeliest places.
Perhaps there are water-eddies around a dead tree where you can drop your hooks - slowly moving water is where they hide, waiting for something delicious to appear, so let that something be one or two of your catfishing baits.
Try not to move your hooks around in the water, keep them down there and as motionless as possible. And if nothing has happened in fifteen or twenty minutes, move to another area which looks more promising. Your catfishing baits are not being ignored - it's clear that there are few catfish in that area just now and it's time to search elsewhere. We all know that fishing requires practice, patience and the right skills and techniques. Proper equipment and a variety of catfishing baits make a powerful combination for bringing in that big dude you're chasing.
Do you believe that the time of day makes a difference? Perhaps, but let's pay attention to the most experienced anglers who have found that early mornings and late evenings are the best times to go catfishing. During the day, catfish will avoid clear water and prefer to settle on the darker bottom of the lake or pond - but if it's overcast and raining, your catfish will be out there feeding, no matter what time of day it is.
A perfect time for catfishing is after heavy rains or spring thaw because the resulting floods will increase the water level in lakes and rivers. Flooding around newly submerged vegetation attracts all kinds of aquatic life and this brings out the catfish in hordes to gorge themselves and your big one may be among them. Put some fresh shad or bluegill on your hooks to lure him closer to your delicious catfishing baits. Try some perch, small frogs, chicken liver, night crawlers, worms - anything which smells wonderful to a catfish.
Before you go catfishing, consider going out the day before and arming yourself with some live shad - use a cast net to catch them. Keep them in an ice-filled cooler for your fishing trip and when baiting, use a hook through its tail or below the dorsal fin - you can even thread it on to your hook like you would a night-crawler. And of course, if you use live shad, you're in catfish heaven!
Now; we've got everything we need - perfect location, good catfishing rig, wide selection of catfishing baits and it's a rainy, overcast day. Let's go!
You already know that you have to search out those elusive catfish where they live and feed, so here's where you use all your techniques and knowhow; seek the places where you know they like to hang out. Attach your catfishing baits; drop the rig in the water and you will haul in a lot of catfish.
Look around - do you see seagulls congregating over a particular spot in your river or pond? If so, there's food there - and gulls will eat pretty much anything, just like catfish will. If there's food there, ten to one there are catfish around there too. Move downwind of the gulls and drop your hooks with fresh catfishing baits on them - you will certainly stand an excellent chance of finding that forty-pound catfish with your name on him. Get ready for a work-out; landing a big catfish is no easy thing to do - but when you do, it is so worth the hard work you put in.
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