Catfish Facts

Catfishing Baits

Catfish can be considered to be a scavenger species and has an enormous appetite for a variety of food; almost anything works as catfishing baits. There are many things to consider in catfish, and this would include choosing the perfect lure and using catfishing baits properly. Be sure to put the bait on the right catfishing rigs, of course!

If you are quite serious about catfish, either as a sport or as hobby, concentrating on the surroundings to search out the fish may appear far more important than the selection of the bait itself. It is rather useless to try a variety of catfishing baits while you are just perched in one spot wishing for a catfish to snatch the fishing line. That is like waiting for an apple to drop, instead of just reaching it with your hand! Catfish tend to be incredibly elusive and prefer to hide. This is why it is crucial for you to examine the area where you are catfish and try to understand where it’s likely that a catfish would hide. You got to think like a catfish would think if you want to catch one.

Stay mobile with your fishing rod and reel when you are fishing for cats. Don’t get stuck in one place. If you’ll observe anything sticking up at the surface, slip across and toss in a bait right on it. You can also use other baits such as Bluegill, small frogs, night crawlers, worms, and chicken liver. It shouldn’t take a while before you’ll find out if there’s indeed a fish in there or not. Move on if you’ve already consumed 15-20 minutes without a single fish biting your shad. Try to locate where the fish is rather than wait for them to locate you.

Always keep your bait still. Make an effort to avoid unnecessarily moving and switching of catfishing baits. This will not help you in any way. If there are gulls surrounding the area, get downwind of them to have a better chance at catching the fish.

A great opportunity for catfish is right after flood waters cause the lake or the river to rise. Catfishes have the tendency to stay at freshly flooded vegetation where it can feed heavily on potential foods brought in by the flood waters. This is the perfect time to use your fresh shad heads and Bluegill cuts for catfishing baits.

While it is possible to set off catfish anytime of the day or whenever you wish, the optimum time for catfish is during early mornings and during nighttime. Catfishes like to settle at the bottom of the water during daytime. They move out to the shallow waters once the sun starts to set in search for food.

Rainy days are perfect times for catfish. Catches are usually good during rainy and cloudy weather. As seasons, the ideal time would be during spring to early fall. These are the times of the year when water levels rise – ideal for catfish.

With the best suited strategies and skills, in addition to the appropriate type of gear and catfishing baits, you should be able to reel in a boat load of fish.

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Here’s A Great You Tube Video on Preparing Night Crawlers for Catfish Bait!

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Here’s A Video on a Fantastic Catfishing Baits Tool!

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Here’s A Video on Using the Catfishing Baits Tool!

Catfishing Rigs

Catfishing is something you can get into regardless of the weather conditions or the temperature or the season: this activity relies on your ability to put together catfishing rigs that are effective. Catfishing rigs are how you set up your tackle or fishing gear to catch a sizable catfish. There is a vast choice of rigs that you can choose depending on the type you want to catch. However it is much preferable to use a simple one that needs only weight and bobber with a durable hook and the appropriate catfishing baits. How you set up this rig is a big factor on the size of catfish that you can hook.

Deep catfishing rigs are one type of basic rig that requires the use of a good amount of weight. In most fishing rig set ups, the weight is attached to the hook and the hook is attached to the line. However, for deep catfish rig, the weight is attached at the end of the line some inches below the hook to avoid snagging of the line. The weight should be at least an ounce and is attached to the line using a Palomar knot. The Palomar is a simple knot but is really sturdy and is almost impossible to pull-out or to loosen if tied correctly.

After securing the weight at the end of the line, tie your hook at about twelve to eighteen inches above your weight then tie a dropper loop to hold your hook and leader line. A wired leader can be used in order to avoid getting the line attached to your hook from getting tangled with the line that is securing your weight. The kind of hook to be used depends on the kind of bait that you will use to lure the catfish. Worms, chicken liver or other homemade catfish bait catches smaller size hence you may use a small hook such as a 2/0 circle hook. If you intend to catch bigger sizes, river herrings or perch are ideal bait and an 8/0 or 9/0 circle hook. This hook setting ensures that your catch will not escape. The right combination of hook and bait is important in this sport.

Shallow catfishing rigs are ideal during spring season wherein catfish go to shallow waters to prepare for spawning. These spawners will readily devour baits placed under bobbers. Bobbers keep your bait, live or dead, floating below the surface where it can be easily seen by the target. Position the bobbers two or three feet away from the hook or depending on the depth of the waters. Add a split shot or perhaps two between your bobber and the hook. The same principles apply for deep waters or shallow waters fishing in choosing the hook and the bait. The hook depends on the bait that you will use.

Catfishing rigs and techniques are acquired over time. The rigs vary in design and purpose. The important thing to consider when you set up your rig is the temperature conditions, the weather and the season. The knowledge of preparing an effective rig will ensure that you will easily catch a bigger catfish.

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Check out these great videos on tying knots and excellent rigs from AverageFisherman!

Essential Catfishing Rigs Knot: The Palomar

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Catfishing Rigs: Snelling Your Hook

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Catfishing Rigs: The Absolutely Awesome Sacrificial 3 Way

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