Catfish Fishing Tips

When people go to fish they may have a specific fish they are hunting for or just want anything to attach to the hook. Specific fishermen could be going for a large fish like a carp or a rare fish like a large mouth bass. A popular fish to try and catch is the catfish. Catfish are great for eating and their unique look make them appealing as well, but catching them can be tough unless you know what you are looking for when you head to the water.

Time Frame

Catfish are night dwellers and will normally stay at the bottom of a river or lake during the day. Their main feeding time is at night and while occasionally you will catch a catfish during the day, the night is the best time to try and catch them. Wait until the sun is just about to go down, light a small campfire and start fishing for a couple of hours. This is the prime eating time and your best shot at catching a catfish.

Identification

Catfish are one to three on average. Occasionally you may catch a larger one, but normal fresh water fishing pole set up is perfect for them. Use a couple of sinkers so you can cast out far and get your bait to the bottom of the water.
Catfish are unique because they feature two large whiskers that give them the cat name. Many people believe that these whiskers can sting you, but they actually cannot. Catfish also have large stomachs that make them great for eating.

Features

Catfish use their sense of smell to find bait around them so the best bait to use while fishing for them are night crawlers. You can also use Power Bait that has a strong sense of smell and will attract the catfish. Use a size four hook that will hook it good and keep the fish on the line.
When you have a bite, you will feel a couple of tugs on your line and a small fight from the catfish. It may get tired quick or continue to fight the whole way, making it seem like a bigger fish than it really is.

Considerations

Most of the time a catfish will swallow the hook whole, making it nearly impossible to remove without killing the fish. The best thing to do is bring a pair of nail clippers with you while you are fishing and clipping the line as close to the mouth as possible.
When you are fishing at night, you may catch a lot of eel as well as cat fish. Eels send out a sticky substance as a defense mechanism and you may want to bring an old towel or t-shirt to help remove them from the line. Talk to other fishermen in the area for the best catfishing spots. Every spot is different and you may find different things around different areas.

Warning

While the whiskers on a catfish do not sting, there is a sharp bone-like edge sticking out of their three fins that can actually impale your skin. Take caution when handling a catfish because these edges can easily cut into you and cause bleeding.