How To

How to Catch Catfish

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(33 Ratings)

Catfish have seasonal migration patterns. Learn their habits and you'll find your own "big cat."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Fish Nets
  • Baits
  • Fish Lures
  • Fishhooks
  • Fishing Poles
  • Fishing Reels
  1. Step 1

    Talk to the local fishery's biologist to find out the spawning time in your area.

  2. Step 2

    Look for rocky structures for possible spawning sites.

  3. Step 3

    Study a topographical map for underwater structures or contours on the bottom of a lake that are attractive to catfish.

  4. Step 4

    Study local bait fish and their habits.

  5. Step 5

    Use bait such as night crawlers, shrimp, shad, chicken liver or minnows.

  6. Step 6

    Float bait at various depths to find the feeding area.

Tips & Warnings
  • Once you find a good spawning ground, fish there for the next four to six weeks. Different breeds of catfish spawn at different times.
  • The warmer the water, the shallower the catfish will be. In clear water they tend to stay in deeper water.

Comments  

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snakehead said

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on 9/3/2009 when fishing for catfish try using shrimp liver catfish blood or chicken blood

bobstope said

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on 3/17/2009 So how exactly do you do the ivory soap method?

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on 12/27/2008 My bait of choice for catching big catfish is live perch, bluegill, or gizzard shad-check your local regs on live baits. To catch just any catfish cut gizzard shad, herring, threadfin shad whole (3), and hotdogs work really well. Gary, check out www.catfishingproducts.com

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on 9/26/2008 Good tips. I used squid a lot. Never heard of using ivory soap, but I'll try anything once. Liver sacks definitely work.

abkilla said

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on 6/16/2007 Using Ivory Soap-Go to your local store and get a bar or 2 os Ivory Soap and let it sit out for two or three days til' you go fish and trust me I caught 10-40 pounders on that.Also, Try it on trotlines I once caught a 55-pound shovelhead on that stuff! No Lie

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