Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Choosing Tackle and Bait
• Method 2 of 3: Finding the catfish
• Method 3 of 3: Pulling out the catfish
• Tips
• Additional articles

Catfish are freshwater fish that live in ponds, lakes, and rivers in temperate zones. To catch a catfish, you need to know what it eats, what places it lives in, and what bait it prefers. You will find out about this by reading our article.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Choosing Tackle and Bait

1. 1 Buy a fishing rod and line. The size of the rod will depend on the size of the fish you intend to catch.
   • If you have catfish weighing under 9 kg (20 lb), then buy a rod that is 182 cm (6 ft) long. The line must be able to support at least 4.5 kg (10 lb).
   • If you are looking to catch fish over 9kg, you will need a 213cm (7ft) rod and line that can support 20lbs (9kg) of weight.
     • Longer rods are better suited for shore fishing than boat fishing.
2. 2 Buy fishing hooks, floats, and other gear. Most fishing shops sell special kits for beginner fishermen. The most important thing you will need when fishing for catfish are sharp hooks, but some other accessories will certainly do the trick.
   • If you fish at night, a float that glows in the dark comes in handy.
   • You will need other types of floats if you fish in the pond.
   • You will also need a bucket and a fish crate in which you will store the bait and in which you will bring your prey home.
3. 3 Experiment with different types of bait. Some fishermen will persuade you to use only one bait, but in fact, catfish are polyphagous. If you go fishing for the first time, then bring several different baits with you to determine which of them the catfish prefer. Try the following baits:
   • Try fish chunks. Try to fish, for example, with pieces of herring, whose scent is sure to attract catfish.
     • You can also use live bait. It will not smell, but it may be more attractive to the catfish because it is alive. Experiment to determine which bait the catfish will choose.
   • Try crayfish fishing. Catfish love crayfish. You can pre-catch them before fishing, buy them in a store or from local residents.
   • Try catching earthworms, which you can easily dig up. Many species of fish love these worms.
   • You can also use chicken liver or even corn.
   • Try fishing with artificial bait. Many artificial catfish baits are sold in stores, and some manufacturers will argue that the most capricious fish bite on their bait. However, experienced fishermen will tell you that the best bait is not artificial, but live.
4. 4 The size of the bait should match the size of the fish you are trying to catch. If you are thinking of pulling a 20 kg fish, then you will need a large bait.
5. 5 The bait must be fresh. Catfish will not eat stale fish, so store the bait in a cool place.
   • The same goes for worms.
   • Keep the sliced ​​bait in an ice box.
   • Keep live bait in a bucket of cold water.

Method 2 of 3: Finding the catfish

1. 1 Start fishing in the spring. Catfish are less active in cold water, so the best time to fish is when the water warms up to 10 degrees. You can fish before the cold weather.
   • You need to determine what time of year in your area you can start fishing for catfish. In some areas, the season may start in early spring, while in other areas the water does not warm up until early summer.
   • True, some species of catfish, such as the blue catfish that live in the southern United States, continue to be active throughout the winter.
2. 2 You need to start fishing early in the morning. Catfish are most active early in the morning, so plan to start fishing before sunrise, or even earlier.
   • Fishing at night can also be a big catch. If you like fishing at night, then try fishing at 1 or 2 am.
   • You can catch catfish at other times of the day, but usually only if the weather is cloudy or rainy. If it is too sunny, the catfish is likely to be less active.
3. 3 Look for special places where catfish can live. The catfish loves to stay in the backwaters, where it rests after swimming against the current. Backwaters usually occur where the current obstructs a large log or stone, and which are usually located close to the shore. Catfish can also be caught near dams and other artificial dams.
   • In small streams, catfish keep by stones or fallen trees in the middle of the reservoir.
   • If you fish in a pond or storage facility, look for catfish near where streams flow, in very deep places, near fallen trees and near large rocks.
4. 4 Choose the spot from which you will fish. As soon as you select it, then drop the anchor, throw the fishing rod and wait for the bite.

Method 3 of 3: Pulling out the catfish

1. 1 Hook and pull. When you hook the catfish, loosen the line slightly, and then start quickly winding it onto the reel.
2. 2 Determine the size of the fish. Make sure that the fish caught meets the requirements of the fishery.
   • If the fish is too small, then you will have to let it go.
   • Place the caught catfish in a bucket of water for cleaning later.

Tips

• This article describes how to catch catfish with a fishing rod, but you can also try catching it with traps.

Additional articles

How to fish How to cast a fishing rod How to choose the best fishing time How to make a homemade fishing rod How to use a spinning rod correctly How to collect oysters How to catch fish without a rod How to read the ebb and flow table How to catch lake trout How to reel fishing line How to make a fishing net with your own hands How to get a fish hook How to kill a shark How to remove a fish hook from your finger