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Tackle Tips
A small spinning or spincast outfit is ideal for this
type of fishing. I keep mine spooled with 6- to
10-pound-test monofilament.
The other tackle you'll need can be carried in a small
tackle box—a few hooks, sinkers and bobbers, some extra
line, a stringer and some pliers for removing hooks from
the catfish's
Any catfishing rig can be used, but the simplest usually
work best. A slip-sinker rig, my favorite, is easily
made by placing a small egg sinker on your main line
above a barrel swivel tied at the line's end. Add an
18-inch leader to the swivel's other eye, and tie a hook
(1/0 to 3/0 bait-holder, octopus or Kahle) to the end of
that. tough mouth.
Another easy rig that works well is just a bobber above
a small hook, with a split shot pinched on the line
between the two to sink the bait.
Bait Choices
Unlike heavyweight cats, which rarely eat anything but
fish, eating-size whiskers aren't the least bit finicky
when it comes to food. Buy some worms or minnows at the
bait shop, or pick up some fresh chicken liver, hot
dogs, bacon, cheese or shrimp at the supermarket.
Commercial dip baits and doughbaits also work great, and
usually can be found in the sporting goods departments
of discount stores. When using these, you might want to
pick up a few of the specialty items often used to fish
these soft baits, including some catfish "worms"
(ribbed, soft-plastic lures used for fishing dip bait)
or some spring-wound doughbait treble hooks.
Night or Day?
The biggest catfish often prowl more night, but
eating-size cats are active day or night, so go fishing
whenever you can. My favorite fishing period is around
daybreak, 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. There's nothing magic about
this time, but on many waters, peak feeding activity
occurs just as the sun is cracking the horizon. Fish
then, and you're almost guaranteed to increase your
catch.
Seasons
Despite what many anglers think, catfishing is not just
a summertime sport. In fact, you can fish year-round and
expect to do well.
My favorite months for catching eating-size cats are
January and February. Many ponds and small lakes in my
area are stocked with channel cats and bullheads, and
when the water temperature is between 40 and 55 degrees,
these fish move to the deepest water where they gather
in huge schools. I drop a rig baited with chicken liver
into the hole, let it reach the bottom, then crank the
reel handle a few times so the bait is a foot or so
above the substrate. The cats usually strike quickly,
and in a couple hours, it's not unusual to catch 15 to
20 weighing 1 to 7 pounds. It's a great way to liven up
a dreary winter day, and catfish never taste better than
when fresh-caught from icy cold water.
Practice Selective Harvest
Release cats 5 pounds and up, and keep only those that
are smaller for your fish fry. The smaller fish are much
more abundant and better to eat. By releasing larger
cats, you help maintain better trophy fishing
opportunities for those who enjoy that pursuit.
Have Fun
If you're like me, there are times when you're happiest
sitting under a shade tree and catching a few small cats
for dinner. For many of us, catfishing is a way to relax
or to enjoy a few hours fishing with the kids. If a big
cat is caught now and then, so much the better. But
catching big fish is secondary to just being there,
enjoying the outdoors and tussling with a decent fish
now and them.
Zero in on some fiddlers this season. Take your children
along or some kids from the neighborhood. It's fun. It's
relaxing. It's enjoyable. And as soon as you smell the
aroma of those catfish fillets frying up golden
delicious, you'll be ready to do it again.
Editor's note: Keith Sutton is the author of two
catfishing books: "Fishing for Catfish" and "Catfishing:
Beyond the Basics." For additional information, visit
www.catfishsutton.com .
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