Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Picking out fishing gear and bait
• Method 2 of 3: Find active catfish
• Method 3 of 3: Bring in a fish
• Tips

Catfish are freshwater fish found in ponds, lakes and rivers in temperate climates. To become an expert in catching catfish, you need to know what the fish likes to eat, where it likes to swim, and what techniques to use to increase the chances of the fish biting.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Picking out fishing gear and bait

1. Buy a fishing rod and fishing line. The size of the rod you need depends on the size of the fish you can catch in your area.
   • For fish under 9 pounds you need a rod of at least 6 feet and a test line of 4.5 pounds.
   • For fish weighing more than 9 pounds, you will need a 2.1 meter rod and a 9 pound test line.
     • Long rods are great for fishing along the bank, but less so for a boat.
2. Buy fishing hooks, floats and other equipment. You can purchase a beginner's fish box at most garden centers and pet stores that contain all the supplies you need. In fact, you only need sharp fishing hooks, but some extra tools are always welcome.
   • Glow-in-the-dark floats can be useful if you like to fish at night.
   • Other types of floats are useful when fishing in very calm ponds.
   • You also need buckets and a cooler to keep your bait and of course the catfish you will catch.
3. Experiment with different types of bait. Some catfish enthusiasts swear by a specific type of bait, but actually, catfish eat all kinds of different things. During your first attempts at fishing, bring a few types of bait to find out for yourself what the fish in your area prefer. Some options are:
   • Try out pre-cut bait. Shad, herring, goldeye and other baits contain oils that attract catfish. Pieces of these fish are therefore very effective for catching the Channel catfish, which is mainly found in North America.
     • You can also use live, uncut bait. This will contain less oil, but most fish prefer live bait. Give it a try to see what works better.
   • Give crayfish a try. Catfish also eat crayfish in some areas, so this bait is well worth trying.
   • Use earthworms. Like the bait above, you can find these in most fishmongers. These worms are eaten by all kinds of fish.
   • If you prefer not to spend too much money on your bait, you can also use chicken livers or pieces of corn.
   • Try out lures. There are many different types of lures that you can buy at any fishing store. It is often claimed that lures contain a magical ingredient, which makes the catfish almost unable to do anything but bite. However, fishing experts say the best way to catch fish is to use live bait.
4. Choose your bait based on the fish you want to catch. If you want to catch a 22 kilo fish, you need a good piece of bait. Smaller baits such as earthworms are easier to pick off your hook by fish.
5. Keep your bait fresh. Catfish prefer not to eat pieces of fish that have been in the sun all day, so you will need to use a cooler to keep your bait in while fishing.
   • Keep earthworms in a container in the cool box.
   • Place sliced ​​fish on ice.
   • Store live bait in a bucket of cold water.

Method 2 of 3: Find active catfish

1. Start fishing in the spring. Catfish are less active when the water is cold so the best time to start fishing is when the temperature is rising and the water is getting warmer. You can keep fishing until it cools down again in the fall.
   • Try different things to find out when the catfish in your area best bite. In some places this is in the spring, while in other locations it is better to come by in the summer.
   • If you live in the southern United States, you can fish all winter long. The Ictalurus furcatus (blue catfish) is also active here in the colder months.
2. Go fishing early in the morning. Catfish are more active early in the morning than later in the day, so it's best to start your fishing session before sunrise or even earlier. Naturally, the catfish eats at that time, so you have the best chance of catching a fish.
   • You also have a good chance of catching a catfish at night. For example, if you like to spend your nights by the water, you could start a fishing session at 2 AM.
   • In cloudy or rainy weather you can also catch catfish later in the day. On sunny days, however, the fish will be less active during the day.
3. Find a sheltered spot. Catfish like to swim in places where the current changes into a calmer area so that they can float around relaxed. For example, try to sit near a large piece of wood or a large rock. The risk of catfish is also high near dams.
   • In smaller rivers or streams, catfish can often be found near rocks or branches.
   • If you are fishing in a pond or reservoir, look for a spot near deep water, fallen branches, and rocks or stones.
4. Take your position. Once you've found a good fishing spot, you can put down your gear and get ready to fish. Now all you have to do is wait for the fish to bite!

Method 3 of 3: Bring in a fish

1. Get your fish in. Once you've hooked a catfish, you can let go of your line slightly and then quickly bring in your fish. Read How to Reel in a Large Fish to find out how best to go about this.
2. Check the size of the fish. Make sure that the fish you have caught is no larger or smaller than is allowed in your area.
   • If the fish is too small, you will have to untie it and throw it back into the water.
   • If you want to keep the caught fish, you can put it in a bucket of water for later cleaning and filleting.

Tips

• This article focuses mainly on fishing with a rod, but you can also try setting traps for catfish.
• To catch big fish, it is best to use a wide boat. If you don't, you run the risk of being drawn into the water. Of course you can also fish on the waterfront to solve this problem.